Crews on the scene of the fatal fire-photo courtesy KWCH
The Wichita Fire Department says heavy smoke was pouring from the home when crews responded Friday morning. Firefighters found the woman’s body after extinguishing the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The woman’s name wasn’t immediately released.
Sunday, July 1 , The Post Rock Opportunities Foundation will host an Artists Reception honoring the artists who are participating in the 2018 Kansas Originals Art Show.
The artwork is on display at Kansas Originals, 233 KS-232, Wilson, and includes both paintings and 3-D pieces. The reception will begin at 1 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the reception to meet these artists from throughout the region while viewing and voting for their favorite piece of art for the People’s Choice award. The show features 32 outstanding entries.
Kansas Originals will be open at 11 a.m .and voting for the People’s Choice will end at 1:30 p.m., so come early to make your vote count.
Awards will be presented to the winning entries at 2 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served and live music will be provided.
Amtrak may end passenger rail service through Dodge City, Garden City and destinations to the west.
Train station in Garden City-google image
The agency told a congressional delegation last week that it might shut down parts of the Southwest Chief route that runs across Kansas on its way between Chicago and Los Angeles. That news followed ongoing disputes about track maintenance and upgrades.
Amtrak told Congress ridership on the line has been falling in recent years, and that the service loses about $50 million a year. But U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, said that’s not the point.
“Amtrak is not doing its job,” Moran told the Kansas News Service on Thursday. “It was created to support long-distance passenger rail service, and it ought to be much more supportive of the Southwest Chief than it is today.”
Steve Cottrell, assistant to the City Manager of Garden City, CREDIT BEN KUEBRICH / KANSAS NEWS SERVIC
Steve Cottrell, assistant to the City Manager of Garden City, said cities on the route have helped maintain the tracks. He’s taken aback that despite that Amtrak may still end service between Albuquerque and Dodge City.
“All of these communities for the last several years have been putting in funding, working with Amtrak,” said Cottrell. “We’re shocked, concerned. We don’t want to lose our service, it’s a key link for all of our citizens.”
Amtrak suggested replacing the train service between the two stations, but Cottrell thinks such a stop-gap would just be the beginning of the end for the line.
“Are these people that ride the trains to go on vacation just going to start driving?” said Cottrell. “Replacing it with a bus line that takes you somewhere that you catch the train, it’s not the same.”
Moran said the bussing proposal signaled a lack of commitment to the Southwest Chief.
Amtrak is expected to release an updated analysis on the Southwest Chief in July.
In the meantime, Moran said he’s put holds on nominations to Amtrak’s board. He and Senator Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, have put language in the appropriations bill for Amtrak requiring the agency to consult with communities along the route before changing service.
“We are going to do everything we can to see that we reverse the direction that Amtrak is headed,” Moran said.
Ben Kuebrich reports for HPPR in Garden City and the Kansas News Service. Follow him on @Ben_Kuebrich.
Mary F. Keeler, 50, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, June 27, 2018 at the Salina Regional Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mary was born October 9, 1967 in Russell, the daughter of Robert John and Ula Faye (Keyes) Olsen. She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School. She then achieved a Certificate in Phlebotomy from the Bryant University in Wichita, Kansas.
Mary met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Jay D. Keeler on March 8, 1997 in Russell. This union was very blessed with a daughter Olivia. They made their home in Russell.
Mary was a devoted wife and mother. She was a Title 1 Para Educator for U.S.D. 407 for over 11 years.
She also worked at Russell Regional Hospital and Woelk’s House of Diamonds. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was very active in the Russell County Community Theater. In her spare time she enjoyed fishing, reading mystery novels, watching black and white movies, but especially spending time with family and friends.
Mary’s surviving family include her husband of 21 years, Jay of the home; daughter Olivia Keeler of the home; sisters, Michelle Harrison (Jeff Wegele) of McCook, Nebraska and Molly Freibus (Drew) of Russell, Kansas; parents, Robert & Ula Olsen of Russell, Kansas; one niece, three nephews and three great nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. Burial will follow at the Fairport Cemetery in Fairport, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, July 2, 2018 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Memorial has been established with the KU Cancer Research. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
Bradley Kent Rogg, 68, A great Uncle, Wingman and friend, “The Lone Wolf”, of Wichita Kansas and former Russell resident passed away Tuesday, June 26th, 2018, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita Kansas with his niece and nephew Pam & Scott at his side. He fought hard and rode off into the sky on his beloved Goldwing with lightening lighting his way.
Bradley was born November 18, 1949, in Russell Kansas son of Everette and Jean Rogg and brother to Verne and Alan. He graduated from High School in 1967 and proudly served our Country in the Army from 1969 -1971 during the Vietnam War. Following his honorable discharge he went on to become a heavy equipment operator for Snodgrass and Sons and then later Belles and Associates Construction for a total of 41 years. During that time he was integral in helping his brother Verne and family build a house. He was a member of the American Legion in Topeka, VFW and various other associations supporting Veterans, wolves and NRA. Bradley had a love of motorcycles from a young boy on and enjoyed seeing the country riding with friends and his wingman Lee across the countryside. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, water skiing, shooting pool and even creating beautiful stained glass pieces.
Surviving family include his brother Alan Rogg and (Barb) of St Louis, MO; Niece Meghan Rogg of Seattle Washington; Nephew Brandon Rogg Springfield, MO; niece Pamela Rogg of Siesta Key, FL; Nephew Scott Rogg of Russell, KS. He was proceeded in death by his parents, brother Verne Rogg (Sandy), and his nephew Eric Rogg.
A celebration of Bradley’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, July 06, 2018, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Michael Eurit officiating. Military honors will be presented by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Cremation has been selected by the family and service will conclude at the mortuary. Family will greet guests at the mortuary the day of the service from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.. Memorials may be given to the Wounded Warriors Project and sent in care of the mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.
Lakes affected in Osage, Shawnee and Rooks counties
TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Health and Environment in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has issued public health warnings for Carbondale West Lake, Clarion Woods Park Lake and Webster Lake for the upcoming weekend and week.
If a lake is under a public health warning for blue-green algae, activities such as boating and fishing may be safe. However, direct contact with water (i.e., wading, skiing and swimming) is strongly discouraged for people, pets and livestock. The lakes currently under a public health advisory:
Warning: Carbondale West Lake, Osage County
Warning: Clarion Woods Park Lake, Shawnee County
Warning and Beach Closed: Webster Lake, Rooks County
Lakes under a warning are not closed. Marinas, lakeside businesses and park camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under a warning, but contact with the water should be avoided. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake. Zoned lakes may have portions fully open for all recreation even if other portions are under a warning.
Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away. These are indications that a harmful bloom may be present. Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.
When a warning is issued, KDHE recommends the following precautions be taken:
Lake water is not safe to drink for pets or livestock.
Lake water, regardless of blue-green algae status, should never be consumed by humans.
Water contact should be avoided.
Fish may be eaten if they are rinsed with clean water and only the fillet portion is consumed, while all other parts are discarded.
Do not allow pets to eat dried algae.
If lake water contacts skin, wash with clean water as soon as possible.
Avoid areas of visible algae accumulation.
KDHE samples publicly-accessible bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency receives reports of potential algae blooms in Kansas lakes. Based on sampling results, KDHE reports on potentially harmful conditions.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man who owed almost $400,000 in taxes has been convicted of walking into a tax office in Kansas and shooting and wounding a state tax agent who was working on his case.
Wirths -photo Sedgwick Co.
52-year-old Ricky Wirths was found guilty Thursday of attempted first-degree murder in the September 2017 shooting of agent Courtney Holloway. The shooting happened about three hours after Holloway and sheriff’s deputies had gone to Wirths’ house to seize assets.
Officials say Wirths asked for Holloway by name after he was buzzed into the waiting area of a Wichita tax office.
The scene of Tax office shooting-photo courtesy KWCH
While meeting with Holloway, Wirths pulled out a handgun and shot the agent multiple times. The owed money was related to a construction business Wirths owned.
TOPEKA – The city of Natoma in Osborne County declared a local state of disaster due to a boil water advisory issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on Wed., June 27. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a line break resulting in a loss of pressure in the system.
Due to the situation in Natoma, six pallets of the water that were delivered to Norton on Sat., June 23, will be transported by the Kansas National Guard from Norton to Natoma.
The bottled water was donated by Harvesters in Kansas City, Missouri, and Topeka, and portions remains unused from the recent water emergency in Norton.
The Kansas Department of Transportation is assisting with getting the water loaded on the truck for transport. The water pallets will be transported to Natoma today, June 29, by the 997th Brigade Support Battalion.
BELOIT – “The best of the best.” That is the statement used when Zippia.com referred to North Central Kansas Technical College. The website that helps student’s choose their careers has taken notice of NCK Tech’s impressive 94% job placement rate which has landed the college in the number one seat two years in a row.
This statistic is not just from recent graduates, the award was given using the Department of Education’s College Scorecard data and data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Zippia.com searched for the junior college in each state with the highest listed job placement ratings, looking specifically at employment levels at year 10 after students start. Then the total number of people employed was added to those who were unemployed 10 years after entry, then divided the employed number by the sum.
McLead Brown, writer for the website, noted “the school tops the list for the second year in a row, offering highly technical coursework and solid opportunities for specialized work post-graduation.”
In response to this news Eric Burks, president of NCK Tech stated “We are ecstatic to be recognized as the best in the nation for helping students get started in their careers for the second year in a row! To achieve this high rate of success over a ten year time span is a testament to the amazing employees at NCK Tech and the great work they do. It speaks to the quality of the education our students receive, the demand of the fields we train in, and the reputation our programs have earned in the industry. It also means our students are getting a tremendous return on their investment!”
NCK Tech is a fully accredited 2-year technical college with campuses in Beloit and Hays, KS. They tout 25 different programs to choose from and most programs are either 9 or 18 months in duration. The college also offers credits that transfer to 4-year institutions for students who are looking to further their education. To discover more about NCK Tech visit their website at www.ncktc.edu.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A California man accused of making a hoax phone call that led police to fatally shoot an unarmed man in Kansas has pleaded not guilty.
Barriss- photo courtesy Glendale, Calif. police
A judge on Friday set the jury trial for 25-year-old Tyler Barriss for Oct. 1 in Sedgwick County District Court in Wichita, Kansas. He’s charged with involuntary manslaughter, giving a false alarm and interference with a law enforcement officer.
Barriss is accused of calling from Los Angeles on Dec. 28 to report a shooting and kidnapping at a Wichita home. Authorities say an online dispute over a video game between two gamers prompted the call. A responding officer fatally shot 28-year-old Andrew Finch after he opened the door. Finch was not the gamers’ intended target.
Barriss also faces federal charges.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A California man will return to court to enter a plea on state charges related to a hoax call that led police to fatally shoot an unarmed man in Kansas.
Twenty-five-year-old Tyler Barriss faces his arraignment Friday in Sedgwick County District Court on charges of involuntary manslaughter, giving a false alarm and interference with a law enforcement officer.
He is accused of calling from Los Angeles on Dec. 28 to report a shooting and kidnapping at a Wichita home. Authorities say an online dispute over a video game between two gamers led to the call. A responding officer fatally shot 28-year-old Andrew Finch after he opened the door.
Barriss also faces related federal charges, but federal prosecutors have said the state case against Barriss would proceed first.
WAKEENEY — On Wednesday, Eric Clayville, Goodland, was charged by the Trego County Attorney’s Office for aggravated indecent solicitation of a child (child under 14).
The charge stems from an ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred near the WaKeeney public swimming pool on June 26 at approximately 5 p.m.
According to the WaKeeney Police Department, Clayville allegedly stopped his vehicle next to the caller’s daughter to offer her a ride home. Luckily, the girl was uneasy enough to decline the offer and Chief Garza was made aware, according to a news release posted by the WPD. Garza immediately headed to the location of the incident and contacted the Trego County Sheriff’s Office, as well as Kansas Highway Patrol who were able to make contact with the vehicle and escorted the suspect back to the WaKeeney Law Enforcement Center. The individual was then interviewed by Chief Garza where it was found that Clayville was a registered sex offender, the police department reported.
Clayville appeared before District Magistrate Judge Richard Flax for a first appearance on June 27. The defendant is being held in the Trego County jail on a probation violation, as well as the new charge.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, contact the WaKeeney Police Department at 785-743-5711.
“Please keep in mind that the arrest and charging of an individual is merely an allegation of criminal wrongdoing. All defendants maintain a presumption of innocence unless or until proven guilty in court of law,” the Trego County Attorney’s Office said in a news release.
KANSAS CITY (AP) – Court records say a driver charged in a deadly hit-and-run crash was texting before he struck a man using a wheelchair.
The wheelchair at the scene of the May 14 hit and run crash- photo courtesy Fox4 Kansas City
21-year-old Ramello Robinson was charged over the weekend with a felony count of leaving the scene of an accident that killed 50-year-old Phillip Noel, of Kansas City. His bond is set at $10,000. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
The crash happened last month in downtown Kansas City. Court records say surveillance footage showed Robinson had a green light and Noel entered the intersection after the light had turned green.
Robinson -photo Jackson County
Police say Robinson was texting at the time. Robinson’s partner was in the vehicle, along with their 4-year-old. The partner initially told police she’d been the driver.
