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Police search for suspect in SW Kansas burglary

FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and asking for help to locate a person of interest.

Newberry- photo Finney County

Just before 6 a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to 800 N 6th Street in Garden City for a reported Aggravated Burglary in progress, according to a media release.

When Officers arrived on the scene, they located the victim, 18-year-old Luciana Venturi standing at the corner of 6th and Walnut Street with blood on her legs.

The investigation revealed the victim was asleep in the living room of the apartment when she heard a loud bang. When she awoke, the suspect was on top of her hitting her. The victim stated she rolled onto the floor to try and protect herself.

The suspect continued to attack Venturi, who grabbed a weapon in the house to defend herself injuring the suspect. Once the suspect was injured, the suspect fled the scene. The victim then fled the apartment and called the police.

Further investigation revealed the suspect broke out the window on the front door and gained entry into the house.

Garden City Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect is known to the victim.

The Garden City Police Department is attempting to locate a person of interest in this investigation, Savannah Newberry, 23, Garden City. Police are requesting assistance from the community. If you know the whereabouts or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department (620) 276-1300.

 

Salina city manager takes job in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – The longtime city manager in Salina will take over the top administrative job in the city of Springfield, Missouri.

Gage

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the selection of Jason Gage as city manager was announced Friday. Gage will be paid $220,000 annually to lead Springfield, a city of 167,000 residents.

Gage has been city manager in Salina for 13 years. Before that he was city manager in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and De Soto, Missouri.

Gage is a graduate of Missouri Southern State College in Joplin. He has a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Springfield City Manager Greg Burris announced in November that he was stepping down after 10 years of working for the city. His last day will be June 30.

Hays Eagles Get Shutout Victory

Buhler, Kan. – The Hays Eagles Senior American Legion got their first win today, shutting-out 316 Elite Holman 12-0 in only four innings.

Cody Petersen went four scoreless innings for the Eagles on the mound, striking out six batters and only giving up one hit. Cole Murphy went 3-3 at the plate while also driving in two runs and scoring three.

The Eagles finished the game with 12 total hits. Peterson, Murphy and Dominic Bainter all collected multiple hits. Nine different batters had at least one RBI for Hays.

Hays will play their second game later today at 8pm against Wichita Aeros 17U Oldenburg in Buhler.

The Latest: Trump says June summit with North Korea back on

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and North Korea (all times local):

2:47 p.m.

President Donald Trump says his meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon) is back on for June 12.

Trump says after an Oval Office meeting Friday with North Korea’s Kim Yong Chol that he’d be making a mistake not to go forward with the on-again, off-again nuclear summit in Singapore.

Trump says his meeting with the most senior North Korean to visit the White House in 18 years lasted longer than expected. He said it “went very well.”

Trump says his June 12 meeting will be “a beginning.”

He says, “The process will begin on June 12 in Singapore.”

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2:40 p.m.

A top North Korean official has departed the White House after meeting with President Donald Trump amid negotiations over a high-stakes summit.

Kim Yong Chol spent more than an hour in the Oval Office where he was spotted shaking hands with the president. He was expected to deliver a letter from Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon), the North Korean dictator, to Trump.

After the meeting, Trump and Kim Yong Chol posed for photos on the White House lawn.

Kim is the most senior North Korean visitor to the United States since Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok visited Washington in 2000 to meet President Bill Clinton.

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1:14 p.m.

An aide to Kim Jong Un has arrived at the White House, becoming the highest-ranking North Korean official to visit in 18 years.

Kim Yong Chol was greeted Friday by White House chief of staff John Kelly, who brought him inside the White House to meet President Donald Trump.

Kim is expected to president a letter from Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon), the North Korean dictator, to Trump.

The letter comes as the two countries work to revive a Trump-Kim summit on June 12 in Singapore.

Kim Yong Chol is the most senior North Korean visitor to the United States since Vice Marshal Jo Myong Rok visited Washington in 2000 to meet President Bill Clinton.

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5 Now Face Criminal Charges In Child’s Death On Kansas Water Slide

Two more individuals face criminal charges in connection with the 2016 death of 10-year-old Caleb Schwab on the Schlitterbahn water slide, bringing to five the number of people charged.

The 17-story water slide at the Schlitterbahn waterpark remains standing while the investigation continues.
FILE PHOTO- Kansas News Service

An indictment unsealed this week in Wyandotte County District Court accuses two maintenance workers at the Kansas City, Kansas, waterpark of obstructing law enforcement by giving false information to investigators.

Involuntary manslaughter charges also have been filed against the waterpark itself and its former director of operations. And reckless second-degree murder charges have been filed against a general contractor.

Hughes-photo Wyandotte Co.

The indictment of David Hughes, a maintenance supervisor, and John Zalsman, a member of the park’s maintenance crew, alleges they told agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation that the ride did not have a brake mat.

In fact, according to the indictment, videos, photos and eyewitnesses attested to the existence of the brake mat, which was designed to slow the raft down.

“Records and eyewitness accounts reveal that these men assisted with Verruckt’s construction and performed multiple repairs of the brake mat in question over the years while Verruckt was in public operation,” the indictment states.

Zalsman-photo Wyandotte Co.

Investigators wanted to know why the men had failed to repair the brake mat after it fell off just 10 days before Schwab was killed.

If convicted, Hughes and Zalsman face a maximum of 17 months in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

Attorneys for the men did not return calls seeking comment.

A Kansas Department of Labor audit released last week found dozens of safety violations at Schlitterbahn, which opened for the 2018 season on May 25. Schlitterbahn, which is based in Texas, criticized the audit’s accuracy and said its commitment to safety remained its “highest priority.”

The Verruckt, though no longer in operation, remains standing as the investigation into Schwab’s death continues.

Dan Margolies is a senior reporter and editor in conjunction with the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @DanMargolies.

Hays City Band to kick off summer season under new director

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Courtesy photo

The Hays City Band is organizing for the summer season on the direction of new Fort Hays State University professor Peter Lillpopp.

The band accepts community members high school age and older of all skill levels. Lillpopp urged potential band members not to be afraid of the difficulty level of the music. The band includes college students and faculty who can play the more difficult parts.

The band’s first rehearsal will be 7 to 9 pm. Monday, June 4, at the newly remodeled FHSU Dilley Rehearsal Hall in Malloy Hall. Other rehearsals will be the Mondays before performances on June 11, 18 and 25, also at the rehearsal hall.

Musicians do not have to attend all rehearsals or participate in all performances.

If you don’t own an instrument, one can be provided through the college.

The free performances will be:

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 12 at the Hays Downtown Pavillion

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19 at the WaKeeney VFW

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 at Washington Elementary School in Ellis

The band will play a range of music, including Sousa marches, jazz, movie scores and tunes from Broadway musicals.

“I really like it when I go into to communities and they have something going on downtown, and if it is great music, even better,” Lillpopp said during an interview this week on the KAYS Morning Show. “It really showcases the community and community pride. It is patriotism really. Short of going into the military, there is nothing more patriotic than you can do than join a community band.”

Lillpopp has conducted other community bands, including the Boulder Community Band and Windham Concert Band in Connecticut.

“So this is something that I really believe in—community bands,” Lillpopp said. “I have played in many as a tuba player and conducted many. I am really excited to get to work with them.”

Lillpopp just completed his first year teaching at FHSU. He is the director of athletic bands and low brass. He recently graduated from the University Colorado with a PhD. He received his undergraduate degree from University of Southern California, where he also was involved with the marching band.

“They have a really good tradition here that was started by my predecessor, Lane Weaver, so I have been trying to just continue the really good things that are going on here in Hays,” Lillpopp said.

The FHSU band has already met to discuss shows for the fall football season, he said.

For more information on the community band or its concerts, contact Lillpopp at 785-628-5353 or by email at [email protected].

Ashley Frances Wolf

Ashley Frances Wolf was born Aug. 7, 1991 in Quinter, Kan. She was the youngest child of Steve and Brenda Wolf of Grinnell. Ashley passed away Thursday, May 31 2018 in Hays at the age of 26.

Ashley Frances Wolf

Ashley attended Grinnell Elementary and Jr. High and Oakley High School where she graduated in 2010. Ashley received services from many amazing educational professionals through the Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center.

Ashley was a member of the VFW Auxiliary # 1361 and was an Athlete of the Special Olympics of Northwest Kansas. She enjoyed working at Hometown Grocery and Checkers and His in Grinnell. She greatly enjoyed spending her free time down at the Senior Citizen Center in Grinnell where she would do exercises and play the Wii game. Ashley was also an active member of the Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.

Ashley was always smiling and could light up any room. She had an incredible impact on anyone who met her. Ashley never let her cerebral palsy define who she was or what she could accomplish.

Ashley was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother, Marlene Wolf; maternal grandparents, Lawrence ‘Lavern’ Coker and Frances Carlman; uncle Timothy Coker; and twin infant siblings.

Ashley is survived by her parents, Steve and Brenda (Coker-Carlman) Wolf of Grinnell; a brother Brandon (Sarah) Wolf of Colby; a Niece Bailey Wolf and Nephew Axten Wolf; paternal grandfather, Melvin Wolf of Grinnell; paternal aunts, Pat (Dave) Farris of Nixa, Mo., and Melanie (James) Slayton of Tyler Texas; paternal uncles, Rick (Marcie) Wolf of Grinnell and Anthony (Judy) Wolf of Quinter; maternal aunts, Marie (Don) Taylor of Great Bend and Cynthia (Dave) Ortman of Mankato; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 4, 2018, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall, Grinnell, Kan., with a vigil at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Grinnell, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Grinnell Senior Center or the Ashley Wolf Memorial Fund, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748. For condolences or information, visit www.baalmannmortuary.com

Kansas tax collection continues above expectations

TOPEKAMay tax receipts bring collections so far in FY 2018 to $6.3 billion, which is $1.1 billion more than collected last year and $174 million more than expected fiscal year-to-date, according to the latest revenue report released Friday, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Individual income collections, which includes individual payments and withholding, amounted to $271.1 million, which is $113.2 million above last May. Some income tax payments made at the April filing deadline were processed by the Department at the beginning of the month, which significantly pushed May receipts above newly revised expectations.

“With one month left, there is a strong indication that collections will be above expectations for the Fiscal Year,” Revenue Secretary Sam Williams said. “With the inundation of payments submitted right at the deadline, much of the May bump can be attributed to April filings.”

May’s tax collections total $555.4 million, which is $114.1 million above last May and $107.9 million above newly revised expectations.

KHP identifies man who died after motorcycle hit a deer

JEFFERSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after just before 12:15 a.m. Friday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1981 Honda motorcycle driven by Robert Allen Nelson, 41, Dallas, TX., was northbound on Kansas 4 highway just west of Meriden.

The motorcycle hit a deer that entered the roadway from the left.  The driver was ejected from the motorcycle.

Nelson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a helmet or any protective gear, according to the KHP.

McClelland files for re-election to Ellis County Commission

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County First District Commissioner Marcy McClelland filed for re-election Friday morning.

Country Election Officer and Treasurer Donna Maskus said McClelland filed the necessary paperwork and paid the filing fee Friday morning to run as a Republican.

McClelland was first elected to the commission in 2014.

She is the third candidate to file for the position.

The deadline for party affiliate candidates is noon on Friday, June 1.

Independent candidates have until noon Aug. 6.

Police: Suspects take cash, debit cards from Kan. woman’s purse

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a robbery and asking the public for help to locate possible suspects.

Just after 1:30a.m. Friday, police responded to a highway robbery call in the 2400 Block of West Pawnee in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 63-year-old woman and 49-year-old man who witnessed the crime told police the woman was walking home from a convenience store.

Four unknown suspects grabbed her purse and pushed her down causing items to spill from the purse. The suspects took debit cards and cash and fled in a newer, white SUV, according to Davidson.

There were no injuries.

Police are asking for help locating possible suspects. The first is described as a black male, 6-foot tall, approximately 170 pounds and wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. The second suspect is described as an 18-year-old black male, 5-foot-6, thin build wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. The other two suspects are described as black males in their twenties, 6-foot tall, 150 pounds, curly hair wearing a white tank tops and khaki shorts.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call Wichita Police.

Kan. woman sentenced for making child porn while babysitting

WICHITA – A Kansas woman was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in federal prison for producing child pornography while she was babysitting a seven-year-old girl in her home, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Larsen-photo KDOC

Stefanie Larsen, 47, Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography. In her plea, she admitted she allowed a man to produce a series of videos in which he masturbated in the presence of the sleeping child. When the child awoke and cried out, Larsen told her she had just had a bad dream.

The man paid Larsen to let him make the videos.

Larsen has previous convictions for theft, forgery, DUI, flee-attempted to elude law enforcement and drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Candra Jo Shinn

Candra Jo Shinn, age 51, of Wichita, KS, formerly of Stockton, KS, died Saturday May 26, 2018 at St. Francis Via Christi Campus, Wichita, KS.

She was born September 28, 1966 in Plainville, KS to Roy Lee and Rosalea (Maddox) Palmer.  She graduated from Stockton High School in 1985. She married Harold Shinn May 25, 1985 and they later divorced.

Candra graduated from Hays Academy of Hair Design in 1987 and operated Candra’s Hair Design for several years in Stockton before she went on to nursing school where she received her RN license.  She worked at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, KS, Phillipsburg Manor in Phillipsburg, KS, and Plainville Rural Hospital in Plainville, KS before she relocated to Wichita, KS.

Survivors include her three children, Son Cassidy Palmer, Downs, KS,  Daughters,  Sharrelle Shinn, Norton, KS and Bryanna Smith, Newton, KS;  her significant other, Danny Burnett ,Wichita, KS;  two brothers, Ray (Chris) Palmer, Hays, KS, and Mack (Angie) Palmer, Stockton, KS;  two sisters,  Carlene Pelster, Elgin, NE, and Kathy (Brian) Maughan, Meadow Grove, NE;  Two very dear friends,  Roberta and Nancy Wichita, KS, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Lee and Rosalea Palmer; her grandparents, Merritt and Ollie Mae Maddox, and George and Mable Palmer; and niece Courtney Pelster.

Graveside Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday June 16, 2018, at the Stockton Cemetery, Stockton, KS with Jeff Miller officiating.

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