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Sunny, warm Wednesday


Thunderstorms could develop again this afternoon around Pratt, Coldwater and Medicine Lodge, however the more probable threat for severe weather will be farther east into central Kansas. A more significant threat for severe weather returns on Thursday for areas along and east of a Scott City to Meade line. Tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds are all possible again on Thursday afternoon.

Screen Shot 2016-05-25 at 5.01.10 AMToday Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South southeast wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west southwest in the morning.

Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. East southeast wind around 9 mph.

ThursdayA 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. South southeast wind 9 to 17 mph.

Thursday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Breezy, with a south southeast wind 14 to 22 mph.

FridayA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Friday NightA 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Critical injuries, damage reported from Tuesday storms in Kansas

Tuesday tornado in Dodge City -courtesy photo
Tuesday tornado in Ford County-courtesy photo

FORD COUNTY -Areas in Southwest, Northwest, and South Central Kansas have sustained various levels of damages including downed trees, downed power poles and lines, and various levels of damages to outbuildings and rural homes. Storm damages occurred as a result of large hail, wind, and tornadoes.

County emergency management officials in Ford County reported two persons were critically injured and taken to Western Plains Medical Center in Dodge City, according to the state emergency operations center.

Other damages reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol includes emergency vehicles damaged due to baseball sized hail, a semi-trailer blown over at US 50 bypass with no injuries, and roadway damage on a bridge over U -56 where tornado ripped up asphalt.

Rural buildings, and homes also suffered damage along U.S. 283 in Ness County. Power lines are down in many areas.

Storm Damage on Road 110 north of Dodge City- photo KHP
Storm Damage on Road 110 north of Dodge City- photo KHP

Additional information will be collected as ongoing damage assessments occur in affected areas on Wednesday.

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FORD COUNTY -A spring storm brought several tornadoes, large hail and heavy rain to areas of Ford County on Tuesday evening.

After the community was under a tornado warning for over an hour, the National Weather Service issued a tornado emergency for Dodge City and surrounding communities just after 6:30 p.m.

The primary part of the storm moved just west of Dodge City.

There were reports of some damage to rural buildings, homes and power was out in many areas, according to the sheriff’s department.

There were reports of possible injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a truck on the U.S. 50 bypass was blown over during the storm.

Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available

Former Kan. credit union employee sentenced for $34K embezzlement

EmbezzelmentKANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A former suburban Kansas City credit union employee has been sentenced to three years of supervised probation for embezzling more than $34,000 she now must repay.

Twenty-five-year-old Susan Wooten-Robb was sentenced Tuesday in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas. That’s where she pleaded guilty in January to one count of wire fraud.

Authorities say that Wooten-Robb was working at the Community America Credit Union branch in Overland Park in February 2014, when two account holders complained about unauthorized debits from their accounts.

Prosecutors say that in one instance, Wooten-Robb tried to cover up an unauthorized debit by filing a false currency transaction report. She claimed the account holders took out the money to assist a family member with paying tuition.

Lady Indians rally falls short in quarterfinals

WICHITA, Kan.-The Hays High Lady Indian soccer team ran out of time in their 4-3-2-1A State Quarterfinal match against Wichita Trinity Academy on Tuesday night in Wichita, losing 3-2.  It didn’t take Trinity long to score as Julia Rogg struck first in the 6th minute of the match.  The Lady Knights were able to tack on another goal in the 26th minute off the foot of Baylor signee,  Ally Henderson.  The lead was 2-0 at halftime.

Rogg would score again midway through the second half to give Trinity a commanding 3-0 lead.  That is when the Hays High game came to life.  Sydney Sulzman smoked one through the back of the net in the 71st minute to tally the first score for the Lady Indians.  Hays High was not done yet.  Following a hand ball in the box, Allie Rome was able to convert the penalty kick in the 78th minute.  The Lady Indians were able to get the ball deep in the Trinity zone in the final minute but were unable to get a shot on goal.

With the loss Hays High ends their season with a record of 11-7.  Trinity improves to 14-3 and will take on DeSoto in the state semi-finals on Thursday in Topeka.

Kan. man sentenced for double slaying after fight with his girlfriend

Phillips- photo Shawnee Co.
Phillips- photo Shawnee Co.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 22-year-old man has been ordered to spend more than two decades in prison in the shooting deaths of a man and woman at a Topeka, Kansas, apartment.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Nicholas Storm Phillips of Topeka pleaded guilty in March to two counts of reckless second-degree murder. Phillips also pleaded guilty to a felony count of criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.

Prosecutors say he fired multiple shots through an apartment door last December, killing 20-year-old Daquhan Jackson and 29-year-old Mary Thomas.

Phillips told a detective he was upset because the victims were stealing his clothes, which had been thrown into a grassy area after he fought with a girlfriend.

As part of his plea agreement, two counts of felony first-degree murder were dismissed.

Kansas woman dies after semi crash

fatalMONGTOMERY COUNTY – A Kansas woman died in an accident just before 1p.m. on Tuesday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Mazda Protégé driven by Janice Vineyard, 67, Independence, was westbound on County Road 2800 eight miles north of Coffeyville.

The driver failed to yield at the stop sign and crossed U.S. 169

A northbound semi broadsided the Mazda.

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

The semi driver Gordon, Casey Gordon, 37, Tecumseh, NE., was not injured.

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

2 men plead guilty to interstate burglary spree in Kan., 6 other states

Cue- courtesy photo
Cue- courtesy photo

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Two men prosecutors say stole nearly $2 million worth of merchandise from stores across the U.S. have pleaded guilty.

Federal prosecutors in Connecticut say 40-year-old Alionis Perez, a Cuban citizen who most recently lived in New Jersey, and 30-year-old Yoandrys Cue, a Cuban citizen who most recently lived in Florida, pleaded guilty Monday to burglary charges.

Authorities say in 2013 they stole $250,00 worth of watches from a Fossil store in Clinton, Connecticut; $750,000 in watches from a Fossil store in Hagerstown, Maryland; $500,000 worth of watches and bags from a Michael Kors store in Lee, Massachusetts; and almost $200,000 in watches from a Fossil store in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Perez also pleaded guilty to burglaries at stores in Missouri, Kansas, and Tennessee.

They’re scheduled to be sentenced in August.

Muscle cars look cool but aren’t so strong in crash tests

DETROIT (AP) — Muscle cars may look cool, but they don’t offer the best protection in a crash.

The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Challenger didn’t get the highest ratings in new tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The institute, which is funded by insurers, tested 2016 models.

The Mustang earned the highest rating on four of the five tests, but didn’t do as well on the small overlap test, which simulates what happens when a small portion of the car’s front end hits a pole at 40 miles per hour.

The Camaro did well on that test but had a lower rating for roof strength. The Challenger was the worst performer, with lower ratings for roof strength, seat and headrest strength and the small overlap test.

Another suit accuses Kan. VA physician assistant of sexual abuse

Wisner- photo Leavenworth Co.
Wisner- photo Leavenworth Co.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A veteran who served in Iraq is the latest person to file a lawsuit accusing a former physician assistant at a Veteran’s Administration hospital in Kansas of sexual abuse.

The Kansas City Star reports that the suit filed Monday in federal court is the seventh this year against Mark E. Wisner. He is accused of performing unnecessary and improper genital examinations at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center.

The hospital has said it stopped Wisner from seeing patients and began an investigation after the allegations surfaced.

Wisner surrendered his medical license last year after at least seven patients accused him of abuse. Criminal charges that include sexual battery are pending in Leavenworth County.

Wisner is seeking to have the civil proceedings stayed until the criminal case is resolved.

Indictment: Kan. Man Made $7.9 Million With Oil and Gas Fraud Scheme

Wichita Federal Courthouse

WICHITA — A 70-year-old Hillsboro man was indicted Tuesday on charges of carrying out a $7.9 million oil and gas fraud scheme, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

David K. Lawson is charged with one count of wire fraud. The indictment alleges the crime occurred while Lawson was the owner and director of Sonstone Trading, LLC.

Lawson made a deal for Sonstone to sell 90 barrels a day of crude oil to Parnon Gathering, Inc. Crude oil is unrefined oil produced from oil wells. What Sonstone provided to Parnon was in fact not crude oil. It was raw gas oil (RGO), which is a mixture of various refined petroleum products with a very low vapor pressure and a lesser commercial value.

For more information on oil and gas fraud from the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, see www.stopfraud.gov/oil-gas-fwg.html.

If convicted, Lawson faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine up to $250,000 and restitution. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

Law enforcement on the scene of dispute at Wallace Co. residence

police-lights3-150x150WALLACE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are on the scene of a dispute at a rural residence in Wallace County, according to the sheriff’s department.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and deputies with the Wallace County Sheriff’s Department responded to the location just before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

The sheriff’s department would not confirm a report of shots fired. There are no injuries.

Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available.

WaKeeney man faces federal meth-related charges

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jonathan C. Wolfinbarger, 54, Wakeeney, and Steven R. Hansen, 62, Fontana, Calif., have been charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of using the U.S. mail in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred in June and July in Trego County.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the possession count, and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the mail count. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Police: Kan. man arrested for what was allegedly stolen from his car

Evan Taylor
Evan Taylor

SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating one suspect for breaking into cars and one victim for what was allegedly stolen from his vehicle.

Kalub Rowson, 15, Salina, is accused of entering cars on Beloit Avenue and Sunset Drive in Salina between 8p.m. and 9p.m. Monday evening, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney.

Rowson is alleged to have taken some knives, a hatchet, a debit card, a Nintendo DS game system, a Star Wars belt and a video game from the car parked on Beloit Avenue.

Rowson also allegedly took a backpack from the car of 25-year-old Evan Taylor while it was parked on Sunset Drive. The backpack contained personal use marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Rowson who was arrested after police received information on his connection to the burglaries, faces requested charges of burglary and theft. He is currently in the Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Junction City.

Taylor was arrested on requested charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail late Monday night.

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