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Year: 2016

Kan. man accused in domestic terror plot seeks mental evaluation

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Gavin Wright, Curtis Allen and Patrick Stein are charged with domestic terrorism

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — One of three Kansas men accused of plotting to bomb an apartment complex where Somali immigrants live is asking for a court-ordered mental health evaluation.

Patrick Stein’s attorneys made the request in a filing Friday in federal court in Wichita, believing the evaluation is needed as part of 47-year-old Stein’s defense.

Prosecutors say Stein, 51-year-old Gavin Wright and 49-year-old Curtis Allen were part of a militia group called The Crusaders.

They’re accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where 120 Somali immigrants live in Garden City. One of the units was used as a mosque.

All three men have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go on trial next April.

Tuesday’s High School basketball scores

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High School Scoreboard WhitmoreBOYS’ BASKETBALL
Andale 46, Wellington 32
Augusta 52, Winfield 27
Basehor-Linwood 58, Bonner Springs 26
Baxter Springs 63, Erie 55
Belle Plaine 61, Chaparral 44
Berean Academy 41, Caldwell 37
Bishop Miege 63, BV Northwest 54
Blue Ridge Christian, Mo. 62, Topeka Heritage Christian 37
Burlington 64, Iola 61
BV North 64, Mill Valley 44
Carl Junction, Mo. 60, Frontenac 49
Cedar Vale/Dexter 54, Oxford 48
Chanute 54, Fort Scott 32
Chase 54, Tescott 34
Cheney 69, Medicine Lodge 20
Cherryvale 80, Southeast 58
Cimarron 48, Meade 46
Circle 80, Buhler 76
Conway Springs 85, Garden Plain 65
Crest 56, Pleasanton 53
Doniphan West 62, Centralia 51
Dundy County-Stratton, Neb. 63, Rawlins County 53
Ellinwood 58, Ell-Saline 56
Ellis 63, Wheatland-Grinnell 51
Ellsworth 54, Minneapolis 27
Eudora 64, Louisburg 49
Fairfield 66, Stafford 38
Flinthills 64, Altoona-Midway 14
Frankfort 65, Linn 53
Gardner-Edgerton 54, Olathe North 42
Girard 79, Anderson County 53
Goddard 62, Arkansas City 60
Hanover 82, BV Randolph 36
Hartford 59, Burlingame 56
Hays 62, Junction City 52
Hays-TMP-Marian 90, Victoria 48
Hiawatha 48, Perry-Lecompton 42
Hill City 57, Oberlin-Decatur 45
Horton 49, Immaculata 41
Hugoton 62, Dodge City 55
Hutchinson 61, Salina South 49
Hutchinson Central Christian 57, Little River 39
Inman 53, Canton-Galva 19
Jackson Heights 71, Pleasant Ridge 40
Jefferson West 60, Atchison County 38
Johnson-Stanton County 71, Deerfield 49
Kapaun Mount Carmel 74, Wichita North 56
KC Piper 75, Topeka Hayden 71
KC Washington 70, Atchison 53
Kiowa County 52, South Central 50
Labette County 61, Parsons 54
Lakeside 57, Bennington 35
Lakin 44, Sublette 37
Larned 59, Lyons 43
Lebo 65, Madison/Hamilton 18
Lyndon 64, West Franklin 46
Maize 77, Wichita Campus 58
Maize South 73, Andover Central 53
Marysville 61, Concordia 44
Maur Hill – Mount Academy 41, Valley Falls 37
McPherson 71, Abilene 55
Minneola 50, Satanta 38
Nemaha Central 41, Sabetha 40, OT
Ness City 64, Hodgeman County 36
Northern Valley 64, Wilcox-Hildreth, Neb. 61
Norton 72, Goodland 43
Norwich 42, Udall 26
Olpe 64, Waverly 31
Osage City 66, Central Heights 26
Oskaloosa 53, McLouth 44
Oswego 56, Riverton 54
Paola 52, Baldwin 44
Pawnee Heights 97, Western Plains-Healy 24
Pike Valley 59, Smith Center 51
Pittsburg 57, Independence 53
Pittsburg Colgan 65, McDonald County, Mo. 43
Plainville 72, Natoma 20
Prairie View 56, Santa Fe Trail 35
Pratt 61, Kingman 34
Republic County 67, Valley Heights 62
Rock Hills 49, Lawrence-Nelson, Neb. 38
Salina Central 63, Derby 54
Salina Sacred Heart 84, Russell 43
Shawnee Heights 66, Topeka Seaman 62, OT
Silver Lake 54, Royal Valley 47
Smoky Valley 61, Hesston 52
South Barber 71, South Haven 66
South Gray 79, Ingalls 31
Southeast Saline 57, Beloit 51
Southern Coffey 61, Marais des Cygnes Valley 22
Spring Hill 58, Metro Academy 43
St. John 62, Central Plains 31
St. Mary’s 66, Rock Creek 63
St. Thomas Aquinas 67, BV West 46
St. Xavier 53, Manhattan CHIEF 39
Sterling 71, Nickerson 60
Sylvan-Lucas 45, Lincoln 28
Syracuse 34, Wichita County 23
Topeka West 74, Ottawa 65
Triplains-Brewster 59, Greeley County 35
Troy 74, Axtell 50
Ulysses 72, Colby 33
Uniontown 61, St. Paul 56
Valley Center 72, Newton 66
Veritas Christian 67, St. John’s Military 35
Wabaunsee 40, Onaga 36
Wamego 56, Chapman 50
Washington County 56, Clifton-Clyde 35
Wellsville 42, Osawatomie 32
Wichita Collegiate 75, Clearwater 55
Wichita East 57, Wichita Bishop Carroll 56
Wichita Heights 61, Wichita Northwest 47
Wichita Southeast 72, Wichita West 27
Wilson 63, Palco 39

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Andale 50, Wellington 45
Andover 50, Wellington 45
Andover Central 57, Maize South 44
Atchison 49, KC Washington 30
Augusta 45, Winfield 23
Axtell 41, Troy 23
Baldwin 56, Paola 45
Basehor-Linwood 42, Bonner Springs 20
Beloit 56, Southeast Saline 31
Berean Academy 66, Caldwell 37
Bishop Miege 60, BV Northwest 41
Blue Valley 54, SM South 27
Burlington 54, Iola 36
Central Heights 38, Osage City 37
Central Plains 87, St. John 41
Centralia 60, Doniphan West 34
Chase 50, Tescott 39
Cheney 69, Medicine Lodge 23
Chetopa 62, Tyro Community Christian 14
Circle 49, Buhler 30
Clay Center 47, Riley County 31
Concordia 64, Marysville 62
Council Grove 55, Chase County 41
Cunningham 48, Argonia 24
Derby 54, Salina Central 45
Dighton 59, LaCrosse 29
Dundy County-Stratton, Neb. 63, Rawlins County 35
Ell-Saline 48, Ellinwood 41
Ellsworth 44, Minneapolis 34
Fairfield 58, Stafford 52
Flinthills 48, Altoona-Midway 26
Fort Scott 66, Chanute 35
Frankfort 45, Linn 35
Galena 43, Jasper, Mo. 23
Gardner-Edgerton 47, Olathe North 35
Girard 50, Anderson County 19
Goddard 38, Arkansas City 25
Hanover 56, BV Randolph 27
Hartford 46, Burlingame 13
Hays 63, Junction City 56
Hays-TMP-Marian 67, Victoria 18
Hesston 42, Smoky Valley 25
Hiawatha 46, Perry-Lecompton 26
Hill City 70, Oberlin-Decatur 16
Hodgeman County 55, Ness City 52
Holton 59, Riverside 27
Hugoton 71, Dodge City 47
Hutchinson 30, Salina South 22
Hutchinson Central Christian 52, Little River 30
Independence 51, Pittsburg 34
Inman 52, Canton-Galva 50
Jefferson West 53, Atchison County 16
Kapaun Mount Carmel 58, Wichita North 30
KC Piper 71, Topeka Hayden 44
KC Schlagle 70, KC Turner 12
Kingman 58, Pratt 15
Kiowa County 52, South Central 50
Labette County 58, Parsons 24
Lakeside 41, Bennington 31
Lawrence 63, KC Wyandotte 20
Lawrence-Nelson, Neb. 57, Rock Hills 15
Lebo 49, Madison/Hamilton 41
Louisburg 43, Eudora 23
Lyons 49, Larned 46
Maize 51, Wichita Campus 16
McPherson 55, Abilene 39
Meade 49, Cimarron 32
Nemaha Central 49, Sabetha 26
Newton 51, Valley Center 40
Northern Valley 56, Wilcox-Hildreth, Neb. 44
Norton 42, Goodland 33
Norwich 44, Udall 42
Olpe 48, Waverly 36
Onaga 31, Wabaunsee 5
Pawnee Heights 44, Western Plains-Healy 17
Pittsburg Colgan 39, McDonald County, Mo. 37
Plainville 38, Natoma 19
Pleasant Ridge 51, Jackson Heights 50
Pleasanton 44, Crest 25
Republic County 45, Valley Heights 28
Riverton 49, Oswego 40
Russell 58, Salina Sacred Heart 27
Santa Fe Trail 46, Prairie View 29
Sedgwick 52, Halstead 34
Silver Lake 54, Royal Valley 48, OT
Smith Center 52, Pike Valley 32
South Gray 59, Ingalls 38
Southeast 42, Cherryvale 30
Southern Coffey 28, Marais des Cygnes Valley 27
Spring Hill 58, Metro Academy 43
St. Mary’s 49, Rock Creek 38
St. Paul 41, Uniontown 28
St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Notre Dame de Sion, Mo. 19
Sterling 57, Nickerson 28
Sublette 36, Lakin 31
Sylvan-Lucas 44, Lincoln 40
Syracuse 32, Wichita County 19
Topeka 63, Highland Park 55
Topeka Seaman 48, Shawnee Heights 40
Topeka West 44, Ottawa 36
Triplains-Brewster 60, Greeley County 55
Ulysses 52, Colby 40
University Academy, Mo. 44, Maranatha Academy 24
Valley Falls 32, Maur Hill – Mount Academy 20
Wamego 59, Chapman 50
Washington County 65, Clifton-Clyde 32
Wellsville 63, Osawatomie 22
West Franklin 37, Lyndon 21
Wheatland-Grinnell 51, Ellis 44
Wichita Bishop Carroll 47, Wichita East 40
Wichita Collegiate 43, Clearwater 32
Wichita Heights 66, Wichita Northwest 53
Wichita Independent 53, Douglass 30
Wichita Southeast 44, Wichita West 40, OT
Wilson 65, Palco 55

Cold, windy Wednesday

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Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Wind chill values as low as -3. North northeast wind 7 to 16 mph.

screen-shot-2016-12-14-at-5-39-10-amTonight Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 7 mph after midnight.

Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 33. Wind chill values as low as 1. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 8 to 13 mph increasing to 16 to 21 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.

Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. South southeast wind 7 to 11 mph.

Friday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Southeast wind 7 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon.

Friday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Blustery.

SaturdayA 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 15. Windy.

Court to hear appeal in case of suspect who spit on Kan. detective

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Toliveron- photo KDOC

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case originating in Riley County this week in Topeka.

Tracey Jerome Toliveron spit several times on a police department detective. The issue is whether the detective can be categorized as a county correctional officer or employee to constitute felony battery, according to a media release from the office of judicial administration.

The district court found Toliver guilty. The Court of Appeals found the detective was neither a correctional officer nor correctional employee. Issues on review are whether a uniformed county law enforcement officer who is transporting a detained person into a correctional facility is a “county correctional officer or employee” and whether Toliver was a “confined person in a county jail facility.”

Toliver is currently at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility after convictions for Criminal Threat, Aggravated Endangerment of a Child and Battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.  Officials report Toliver has 17 disciplinary violations while in custody.

The court will hear the case Appeal No. 112,509/112,510: State of Kansas v. Tracey Jerome Toliveron on Thursday morning.

 

Kansas woman dies after crash into semi

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ALLEN COUNTY – A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 5p.m. on Tuesday in Allen County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Kia Sorrento driven by Jahneesa C. Towers, 21, Wichita, was northbound on U.S. 169 five miles north of U.S. 54.

The Kia crossed the center line and collided with a southbound 2012 Volvo semi driven by Karwan S. Shuker, 32, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Towers was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

Shuker was transported to the Allen County Hospital.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Hays basketball sweeps Junction City at home

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By Dustin Armbruster

Hays High returned to action on Tuesday night versus Junction City after a one week layoff, their longest stretch without a game since games started December 1st.

Girls
Hays 63 – Junction City 56

On the coldest week of December, the Hays High Lady Indians were also cold from the field making just two of their first ten shots. Junction City hit five of their first ten shots, including three three-pointers to take a six point lead on two different occasions. Hays did take a first quarter lead following a 8-1 run but trailed after the first quarter 18-16.

The Indians came to life in the second quarter scoring the first five points to take a 21-18 lead and never look back. The Indians used a 13-0 run mid-way through the quarter to build a 15 point lead and led 43-27 by halftime.

Highlights

Junction City returned to the first quarter form opening the third quarter on a 15-2 run to get back within three at 45-42. The Indians were able to build their lead back to five by the end of the third quarter 49-44. Hays led by nine twice in the fourth quarter, the last at 57-48. Junction City went on an 8-3 run to get the game back to three points at 59-56 with 1:01 remaining. Hays hit four of their six final free throws to hold on for the 63-56 win.

Coach Kirk Maska

Talyn Kleweno led all scoring with a career high 18. Savannah Schneider and Jaycee Dale each scored 13. Junction City put three in double figures, led by the 14 of Ally McKenzie. Hays moves to 4-1 on the season and is done until January, 6th on the girls side when they travel to Liberal. Junction City drops to 1-3.

Boys
Hays 62 – Junction City 52

Both Hays and Junction City came out of the gates firing away to the tune of a 19-17 Blue Jay lead after the first quarter. Each team hit three shots from beyond the three point arc and neither team led by more than four in the first eight minutes. Hays opened up the game in the second quarter with a 13-0 run to go from trailing by two to leading 32-21. Hays led 35-27 at halftime using 6 of 8 three point shooting to sustain the lead. In the first half the game was tied four times and there were four more lead changes.

Highlights

Hays saw their lead cut down to one at 35-34 following seven straight points by Junction City to start the second half. Hays answered right back with seven of their own points and eventually pushed their lead up to 45-36 following the third quarter. Hays again pushed their lead to double figures going up 50-38 with 6:30 remaining in the game, but the Blue Jays came back with eight straight points cutting the lead down to 50-46 with less than three minutes remaining. Junction City would get no closer though as Hays High closed the game on a 12-6 run, hitting 8 of 9 free throws in the last 1:35.

Coach Rick Keltner

Hays moves to 5-0 on the season and travels to Colby on Friday. Tradgon McCrae scored a career high 17, ten coming in the fourth quarter, and was 8-10 from the free throw line. Shane Berens and Tyrese Hill each added 11 and Claiborne Kyles scored 10. Junction City was led by Lonnie Autry with 17, including five three pointers. Junction City falls to 2-2.

TMP boys/girls no problems in Victoria

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By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Girls:  TMP 67, Victoria 18
Boys:  TMP 90, Victoria 48

VICTORIA-The TMP Lady Monarchs started Tuesday night’s matchup in Victoria on a 10-0 run and never looked back cruising to the 67-18 win.  TMP held an 18-5 lead after the first quarter and 35-8 at halftime.  TMP ran the floor most of the first half taking advantage of 21 first half Lady Knight turnovers.

The second half was a lot of the same as TMP came storming out of the gates and outscored Victoria 21-10 in the third quarter and led 56-18 after three quarters.  There was a tunning clock the entire fourth quarter.

Heather Scheck led Victoria with 12 points. Kayla Vitztum led TMP with 15 points.  Madyson Koerner added  12 and Anna Gottschalk chipped in with 11 .  Victoria drops to 0-5 on the season and will be off until January 3rd  at Plainville.  TMP improves to 4-1 and will host Oakley on Friday.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

In the boys game TMP pushed their first quarter lead to 16-6 midway through.  Victoria finished the quarter on a 11-3 to climb to within 2 at 19-17.  TMP turned up the pressure in the second quarter forcing 13 Victoria turnovers in the quarter (23 for the half) and jumping out to a big 43-24 lead at the break.

The Monarchs continued to push the pace in the second half outscoring Victoria in the third quarter 26-16 and taking a commanding 69-40 lead going into the fourth quarter.  TMP continued to make shots in the fourth quarter and won in impressive fashion 90-48.  The win snapped a three game TMP losing streak.

Cooper Pfannenstiel led Victoria with 19 points.  The Knights drop to 0-5 on the season.  TMP was led by David McFarland who scored 16 points and Creighton Renz had 14 points, all in the first half.  TMP improves to 2-3 on the season and will host Oakley at the Al Billinger Fieldhouse on Friday night.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

Workers who apply riskiest pesticides to face stricter EPA regs

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EPA LOGOEPA

Lenexa – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing standards for applicators who apply restricted-use pesticides that are not available for purchase by the general public, and require special handling.

“We are committed to keeping our communities safe, protecting our environment and protecting workers and their families,” said Jim Jones, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “By improving training and certification, those who apply these restricted use pesticides will have better knowledge and ability to use these pesticides safely.”

Monday’s action will reduce the likelihood of harm from the misapplication because the pesticides may only be applied by a certified applicator or someone working under their direct supervision. EPA’s stricter standards would require all people who are certified to apply restricted use pesticides to be at least 18 years of age. These certifications must be renewed every five years.

EPA is requiring specialized licensing for certain methods such as fumigation and aerial application that can pose greater risks if not conducted properly. For further protection, those working under the supervision of certified applicators will now receive training to use pesticides safely and to protect their families from “take-home” pesticide exposure.

EPA expects the benefits of this rule to include fewer acute pesticide incidents to people, reduced chronic exposure and reduced incidents of ecological harm from pesticide use.

States and Tribes may issue licenses to pesticide applicators with an EPA-approved program who can demonstrate the ability to use these products safely. The final action also updates requirements for state programs and for applicators obtaining licenses. Many states already have in place some of the stronger requirements of this week’s action.

The final rule includes flexibility for states to continue portions of their existing programs that are equivalent to the revised rule. EPA will work with states to review and approve updated certification plans.

OSHA probing NW Kansas oil-drilling blast that injured 5

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SHARON SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — Federal workplace safety officials are investigating a western Kansas oil field explosion that injured five workers, two of them critically.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the accident Monday near Sharon Springs in Wallace County happened while workers were performing a drill stem test.

The medical conditions of the victims, who according to OSHA were affiliated with Wichita-based Murfin Drilling Co., were not immediately available Tuesday.

Phone messages that The Associated Press left with Murfin were not immediately returned.

Fire Chief Jay Sharp says crews were working when gas made its way onto the deck floor of a warming hut, which included running heaters.

Sharp says responding crews were able to put the fire out quickly.

Woman Sentenced for Her Role in $1.2M KC, Oxycodone Conspiracy

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KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City woman was sentenced in federal court Tuesday for her role in a $1.2 million conspiracy to distribute oxycodone that was obtained by using forged and fraudulent prescriptions, according to Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Michelle C. Newton, 46, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays to three years and 10 months in federal prison without parole.

On June 23, 2016, Newton pleaded guilty to participating in a conspiracy from Dec. 6, 2013, to January 2016 to distribute, and to possess with the intent to distribute, oxycodone. Conspirators obtained prescription-quality paper commonly used by authorized health care providers to write prescriptions. They also obtained the DEA registration numbers of health care providers, which they used to prepare fraudulent prescriptions for oxycodone.

Conspirators took the false prescriptions to pharmacies in Kansas City, Drexel, Riverside, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Kearney, Butler, Odessa, Higginsville and Nevada, Mo. Conspirators commonly sold the oxycodone 30mg pills for between $15 to $25 per pill.

According to court documents, Newton’s role in the conspiracy was primarily as a “runner” – she was responsible for taking the false prescriptions for oxycodone to a pharmacy, attempting to pass the false prescriptions and obtain oxycodone. Newton then returned some or all of the oxycodone to others in the conspiracy; in exchange, she received either cash and/or a portion of the oxycodone pills.

Newton was arrested when she attempted to pass a false prescription at a Walgreens at 3845 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 20, 2013.

Newton is the first defendant to be sentenced in this case. Four co-defendants have pleaded guilty so far, including Katherine E. Beaven, 33, Felicita A. San Miguel, also known as “Cassandra Jasso,” “Susan Hernandez,” and “Sarah Buckner,” 38, and Jermaine C. Brooks, 29, all of Kansas City, Mo., and Christopher J. Neale, 27, of Harrisonville, Mo.

Vietnam veterans, Moran praise passage of Toxic Exposure Research Act

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U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-KS
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, (R-KS)

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, this week praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of a bipartisan veterans care reform package (H.R. 6416), including the Moran-Blumenthal Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016. These provisions prioritize studying toxic exposure and the potential connection of toxic exposure to heath conditions affecting descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.

“Those who dutifully serve our country do not expect their choice to serve will negatively impact the health of their children or grandchildren,” Sen. Moran said. “Often the impacts of toxic exposure don’t appear until long after veterans have returned home. We must address these painful wounds of war for future generations by understanding the health risks and symptoms of exposure. I am pleased that toxic exposure research was prioritized in this VA reform package, and that we may now begin to address the potential health conditions in family members of veterans exposed to toxic substances.”

john-rowan300x300
John Rowan, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) national president

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President John Rowan added: “Vietnam Veterans and their families owe a great debt of gratitude to Senator Moran and his staff for their dogged determination and dedication to our nation’s veterans—the senator came to our town hall meetings; he listened to the stories of our children and grandchildren; and he acted. Senator Moran and his staff worked tirelessly to ensure passage of this critical legislation which lays the groundwork for the research we need on the health of our children and grandchildren, whom we believe have been impacted by exposures during our military service—and in keeping with our founding principle, this legislation will ensure that our newer veterans will not have to wait 50 years for answers.”

Specifically, this legislation includes a scientific review and assessment conducted by National Academy of Medicine regarding toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. It also addresses the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate scientific research of descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a board to advise the VA Secretary and the research entity potentially conducting the research on toxic exposure.

Sen. Moran has been a vocal advocate for researching toxic exposure, securing the inclusion of a study on the subject during the April mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

The U.S. House of Representatives previously approved H.R. 6416 by a vote of 419-0. Following its Saturday, Dec. 10, passage by the Senate, it now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.

Hopeful sign in obesity fight? Chubby babies on the decline

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CHICAGO (AP) — Chubby babies may be on the decline.

A study looked at children ages 2 and younger who were enrolled in a government nutrition assistance program for low-income women and children. Half of all U.S. infants up to 12 months old are enrolled in the program.

Researchers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the rate of youngsters at risk for obesity fell during the study, from almost 15 percent in 2010 to 12 percent overall in 2014.

The rate declined in all ages studied. It was lowest — about 8 percent in 2014 — for the youngest infants, from 3 to 5 months, versus almost 15 percent among toddlers.

Lead author of the study, David Freedman, says the numbers are unexpected, given rising rates earlier in the decade. But whether the decline has continued is uncertain and the study didn’t track infants to see if they became overweight or obese later on.

The report is in Tuesday’s edition of the journal Pediatrics.

Appeals Court: Kansas woman may face trial for sex with inmate

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Breeland Davis-photo Kan. Dept. of Corrections

RENO COUNTY— A Kansas woman who admitted having sex with an inmate at Hutchinson Correctional Facility could stand trial after a court ruled on Monday that her Miranda rights were not violated when investigators questioned her and exaggerated the evidence against her.

Marla Criqui, 45, Hutchinson, was an employee of Aramark, a food service company which contracts with the Kansas Department of Corrections to provide meals at the prison.

In 2012, anonymous letters to the Kansas Department of Correction’s investigators claimed Criqui was having a sexual relationship with convicted murderer Breland Davis.

A Reno County District Judge had issued a ruling on a defense motion to suppress statements that Criqui made to authorities stating that the interview in the case against her was not an investigatory interview.

Though the appeals court opinion acknowledged authorities used deception in an attempt to convince Criqui to confess, that detail is irrelevant to the debate over whether the questioning was an interrogation requiring a reading of Miranda rights.

Being interviewed by an employer — even a government employer — does not necessarily constitute an interrogation, the court determined.

The matter is still not over as the issue of whether Criqui’s confession was coerced because the agents lied was remanded back to Reno County for a hearing before Rose who could once again suppress the evidence on those grounds.

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