SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have arrested the alleged suspect.
Jackson-photo Saline Co.
On February 5, police responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 100 block of N. Front St. in Salina, according to a police captain Paul Forrester.
During the course of the investigation, police identified 36-year-old Darren James Jackson Sr., as the shooter. On February 23, police issued a Saline County warrant for Jackson on charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping.
Thanks to a tip from a local resident, authorities located and arrested Jackson Thursday afternoon, according to a social media report from Salina police. He is being held on requested charges that include Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping.
Jackson has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Fort Hays State University’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success was recently recognized as an Order of Sigma chapter for 2017.
The FHSU chapter is among the top 10 percent of society chapters nationwide that are recognized for this distinction, which is exclusive to NSLS chapters that have achieved all 10 pillars throughout the course of two semesters.
“Many of the pillars or achievement levels required to earn this top designation as a successful chapter involves organization and effort from our president and executive board members,” said Linda Ganstrom, advisor for NSLS.
“The completion of these key performance indicators by the chapter exemplifies the hard work the chapter has done from increased membership outreach to attending regional retreats to bring newer ideas to their local FHSU chapter,” said Yaritza Corrales, chapter support manager at the NSLS.
The NSLS chapter at FHSU was founded in 2013. As a leadership honor organization, the chapter strives to provide leadership opportunities that range from networking groups to leadership training.
“The society was founded in 2001 to build a community of like-minded, success-oriented leaders who come together to help one another succeed,” said Corrales. “The NSLS offers interactive broadcasts with the nation’s best speakers, training in goal setting and team meetings in which students set and hold each other accountable for achieving goals.”
“The society offers a program of events and activities that help students identify their leadership style and build skills and a social network of high-achieving students,” said Ganstrom. “We believe leadership and professional success are skills that can be fostered.”
GEARY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and school district officials are investigating numerous alleged school threats.
On Thursday, police arrested a fourth USD 475 teen for making a threat while at school. The 15-year-old was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center and held on charges of suspicion of Criminal Threat, according to Police Public Information Officer Capt. Trish Giordano
Police arrested another 15-year-old for an alleged threat Tuesday. That student is being held in the Juvenile Detention Center.
On Monday police reported two arrests were made in connection with alleged school threats either to or at Geary USD 475 schools. In one case, Fort Riley police notified the Junction City Police they were investigating a threat made on post to the Freshman Success Academy. Both agencies worked together to gather information. Fort Riley arrested a 14-year old on allegations of Criminal Threat. The juvenile made his first appearance in Geary County District Court on Monday and was detained, according to Giordano.
Later in the day on Monday, a 12-year old Junction City Middle School student was arrested for allegedly threatening another student while on campus. He was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.
Giordano said, “a threat is a crime, and we’re taking every threat that we receive to the school or student seriously. We ask that people talk to their kids and let them know that this is a serious situation that has consequences.”
TOPEKA – Lt. Governor Tracey Mann will tour three mental and behavioral health facilities in Kansas Friday, March 3, with a stop in Norton.
He will discuss ways Kansans can address substance use disorders in the state.
Mann will be at Valley Hope, 112 S. Kansas Ave., Norton, this afternoon at 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Earlier he will stop at 9 a.m. at the Behavioral Health Group in Overland Park and will make a final visit to the Pawnee Mental Health Center, Junction City, at 3:45 p.m.
Governor Jeff Colyer issued an Executive Order Thursday creating the Governor’s Task Force to Address Substance Use Disorders. The Executive Order 18-09became effective upon signing and the Task Force shall continue until such a time as the Governor determines.
“The crisis of substance use disorder, particularly addiction to opioids, heroine and methamphetamine, has truly become an epidemic in our state and our country,” said Governor Colyer. “I am establishing this Task Force to gather information, research solutions, and come up with real quantifiable results for the people of Kansas. We must take the issue of substance use disorder seriously, and we must find a way to stop this scourge once and for all.”
The duties of the Task Force are the following:
Gather information regarding substance use disorder within the state of Kansas, particularly regarding the growing number of opioid and heroin overdoses in the state;
Evaluate and leverage existing resources, tools, and initiatives already established in the Kansas healthcare continuum, especially the work and recommendations of the Kansas Prescription Drug and Opioid Advisory Committee;
Investigate various response options, including distributing naloxone to first responders, more comprehensively utilizing prescribing data, and otherwise revising state policy as appropriate;
Examine best practices for prevention, treatment, and recovery of at-risk individuals through early detection and education for patients;
Advise and make recommendations to the Governor; and
Assist in implementing and executing a statewide response.
The Task Force will be chaired by Greg Lakin, Chief Medical Officer at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and composed of the heads of 16 state agencies and offices, experts in the medical and law enforcement fields, and members chosen by the leadership of both parties in the House and Senate.
“I applaud Governor Colyer for establishing this Task Force to lead the charge against the tragic affliction of substance use disorder in our state,” said Chief Medical Officer Greg Lakin. “I look forward to working with the Governor and other members of the Task Force to find real solutions and measurable outcomes for our citizens suffering from these horrible disorders.”
Canola plantsAgricultural producers in central Kansas with an interest in canola production can learn more at an upcoming event. The Cottonwood Extension District is presenting a ‘Growing Canola’ informational meeting on March 6 at the American Ag Credit Building, 5634 10th Street in Great Bend.
The meeting will highlight the basics of growing canola all the way from planting to harvest. Speakers will be Mike Stamm, KSU canola breeder and Kraig Roozeboom, KSU agronomy. Representatives from Archer Daniels Midland will also be present to discuss canola marketing.
The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m. The event is free to the public. Light refreshments and donuts provided. RSVP requested by March 5th at noon call 620-793-1910.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 34-year-old man charged with 1st-degree murder for a Sept. 22, fatal shooting was bound over for trial Thursday by District Judge Joe McCarville.
Quinton Moore is accused of shooting 42-year-old Clarence D. Allen multiple times in his head and neck while he slept in his bed at a residence at 1701 E. 30th in Hutchinson.
Thursday’s testimony began with Steven Griffith Jr. who told the court that his sister Jessica Crow called him late the night of the crime and wanted him to come help her because she was scared of Allen and was worried he would wake up and batter her.
Crowe, Moore and Allen were all staying in the same home.
Griffith arrived at a neighbor’s home to get his sister. Moore was there and stated that he was going back to the house to get his shoes. It was while Moore was back at the house that they heard multiple gunshots. Shortly after, they saw Moore coming back across the street, Griffith saying he was walking but Crowe stating that Moore was running.
Later that night, all three went to a home on East 6th. Crowe and her mother eventually went back to the home where they found Allen’s body.
In court Thursday, Crowe testified of alleged abuse of her and her children by Allen.
In 2016 there were allegations of possible abuse by Allen of the children, but an investigation by Hutchinson police found insufficient evidence that the abuse had occurred. Allen apparently at that time took a polygraph test and passed.
During an interview with Hutchinson Police Detective Curtis Black, Moore at first denied shooting Allen, but later said he did but blacked out during the shooting.
The gun used in the shooting was found in a poly-cart at the home on East 6th. It was a Smith and Wesson .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun which police believe was the murder weapon.
At the scene, they found six .40 caliber shell casings and 3 bullets.
The victim had been shot five times in his head and face and one entering his neck and exiting out his back. All of the wounds were on his right side with him sleeping on his left side. In fact, those at the scene thought it looked like he was sleeping and that there was no indication of any struggle.
With him bound over for trial, Moore will be arraigned on the charges Monday. He remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – Shaquille Morris scored 19 points and Conner Frankamp added 16 as No. 11 Wichita State beat the University of Central Florida 75-71 in overtime on Thursday night.
Landry Shamet scored 14 points and had six assists for the Shockers (24-5, 14-3 American Athletic Conference), who have won seven straight.
A.J. Davis led UCF (17-12, 8-9) with 31 points, including a desperation 3-pointer with .7 seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime. B.J. Taylor scored 23 for the Knights, who lost their third straight.
Darral Willis nailed a fallaway jumper with 37 seconds left in overtime that gave Wichita State a 72-69 lead. The Shockers made three of four free throws in the final 19 seconds to keep UCF at bay.
Wichita State trailed 49-44 with 13 minutes left in regulation, but Frankamp scored nine straight points to start the Shockers comeback. Fellow reserve Willis added a three-point play and a layup and Morris finished off the run with two free throws that gave the Shockers a 62-55 lead with just over 5 minutes to play.
UCF clawed back within one when Davis drilled a 3-pointer to make it 64-63 with 1:18 left in the game. Morris answered with a layup to push Wichita State’s lead to 66-63.
UCF took it to the Shockers for the first 8 minutes of the game, using a 14-0 spurt to take an early 11-point lead. The Knights scored inside at will, hitting nine of their first 12 shots. Davis added two 3-pointers, including the one that made it 22-11 with 12:20 left in the half.
Wichita State responded with considerably more defensive effort and a 25-7 run to lead 36-29 at halftime.
Big Picture
Wichita State: They won’t gain any votes in the national rankings for this win, but that hardly matters. Wichita State has a winner-take-all game for the American Athletic Conference title against No. 10 Cincinnati in their regular season finale Sunday.
UCF: A lot of encouraging signs for UCF, which needed a boost with the American Athletic Conference Tournament a week away. The Knights had played poorly in their last two games, but took it right at the Wichita State at the start of both halves. Davis was as good as any player on the floor offensively and got enough support from Taylor to give the Knights a shot at the upset.
Today Sunny, with a high near 69. Windy, with a south wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Critical fire risk this afternoon across SW Kansas. A Red Flag Warning has been issued from noon to 7pm. #kswxpic.twitter.com/7tkI4FtL9g
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 23 mph.
Saturday Sunny, with a high near 73. Windy, with a south wind 14 to 19 mph increasing to 21 to 26 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph.
Saturday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 47. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 22 mph.
SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 76. Windy, with a south wind 16 to 21 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph.
Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 34. Windy.
Governor Jeff Colyer signed a proclamation March 1 marking the week of March 5-9 as “Severe Weather Awareness Week” in Kansas. In attendance at the signing were Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, as well as members of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, NOAA NWS Storm Prediction Center, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Fred the Preparedness Dog – KDHE.
KAG
TOPEKA – Gov. Jeff Colyer signed a proclamation today marking the week of March 5-9 as “Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas.”
The proclamation highlights the need for awareness of approaching severe weather and the value of emergency preparedness. Although there were 60 documented tornadoes in the state last year, no deaths were attributed to those events and credits early warning, spotter and preparedness systems helping to contribute to fewer lives lost and fewer injuries.
Kansans are also urged to take part in the statewide tornado safety drill Tuesday, March 6 at 10 a.m. (CST). If severe weather is expected on or around the test time on March 6th it will be postponed to the backup date. The backup date for the tornado drill will be Thursday, March 8 at 10 a.m. (CST).
“It doesn’t take a lot of time or a lot of money to ensure you and your family are prepared,” said Angee Morgan, KDEM deputy director. “If you don’t already have an emergency kit, start now by buying a few extra batteries and high-energy snacks during your weekly shopping. Throw a change of clothes, an old pair of glasses and a pair of shoes in your kit.
“Check your first aid kit and make sure it’s complete and up-to-date,” said Morgan. “Doing a little bit each week makes it easier to prepare for unexpected events, particularly when you get the entire family involved in gathering the supplies and making an emergency plan.
“If you don’t have a specially-constructed storm shelter or a basement, do you know where the safest place in your home is? Do you know how to safely shut off the gas or electricity? If you become separated, do you have a meeting area? How will you communicate with family members who may not be at home when a disaster hits or your loved ones who will be wondering about your safety? These are the things you will need to think about when making your plan.”
Morgan said more information on emergency preparedness and building an emergency kit can be found online at www.ksready.gov.
KDEM also has an online “Kansas Preparedness Challenge.” Completing each monthly challenge makes participants eligible for a prize drawing. Go to www.ksready.gov and click on the “Kansas Preparedness Challenge” link to get started.
COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man has been arrested on kidnapping charges after police found him with two Kansas girls at traffic stop.
Belcher-photo Cherokee County
Nathan Belcher, 28, was arrested Tuesday after coordinated efforts between investigators in Cherokee County, Kansas, and Jasper County, Missouri. He’s being held in Jasper County on $10,000 bond.
A Kansas police officer stopped Belcher of Carl Junction, Missouri, early Sunday morning. Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves says the officer found in the car two girls ages 10 and 15 who weren’t related to Belcher. He was released and the officer returned the girls to their parents.
Groves said Wednesday the investigation is ongoing, and that detectives are looking at Belcher’s phone after obtaining a search warrant for digital evidence.
Jail records don’t immediately list if Belcher has an attorney.
MINNEAPOLIS, Kan.-It was a 32 minute battle at the Minneapolis 3A Sub-State as TMP picked up the 58-52 victory over Southeast of Saline. The Monarchs never trailed in the game and played a back and forth first quarter. TMP led by three at three different points in the the quarter but led only 11-10 after one quarter of play.
The Monarchs turned up the heat in the second quarter and built a double digit lead, 23-12, late in the quarter. The Trojans would score the final four points of the half to cut the TMP lead to 23-16 at the half. TMP would immediately build their lead to 15 points early in the third quarter. Southeast would score the next nine points and the lead would stay in single digits the rest of the way.
The Trojans scored the first three points of the fourth quarter to make it a one possession game at 38-36. TMP answered the Southeast surge with an 11-4 run to lead 49-40 with just over four minutes to play. The Monarchs hit the majority of their free throws down the stretch and picked up the six point victory.
Nick Montgomery and Hunter White led Southeast of Saline with 19 points each. The Trojans finished their season at 11-10. Michael Lager three Monarchs in double figures with 13 points. Creighton Renz and Tate Garcia both scored 10 points. TMP improves to 16-5 on the year and will face the winner of Beloit and Ellsworth in the sub-state championship on Saturday in Minneapolis.
Hays led just once in the first quarter after scoring on their first offensive possession. Ulysses led the remainder of the first eight minutes at one point taking a seven point lead at 13-6. Tasiah Nunnery scored the last eight points of the quarter to bring the Lady Indians back within two at 16-14.
Hays regained the lead by scoring the first four points of the second quarter and led again at 20-19 two minutes into the quarter. Ulysses then got hot behind the three point line. An 18-4 run by the Lady Tigers capped the first half and put the Lady Indians down 37-24 heading into the locker room.
Highlights
Ulysses continued to build their lead through the third quarter and led by eighteen at 51-33 going to the final eight minutes. The Lady Indians opened the fourth quarter on a 8-0 run to get within ten after just three minutes. Hays though scored just four points rest of the way and fall 58-45 to Ulysses.
Coach Kirk Maska
Hays was out rebounded in the game 46-20. The Lady Tigers grabbed 28 offensive rebounds for 18 second chance points. Tasiah Nunnery scored a game high 16 points.
#8 Hays finishes the season at 13-8. #7 Ulysses moves into the sub-state championship at 14-7.
