LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 26-year-old Missouri woman who intentionally drove her car into the Kansas River with her two children inside has been sentenced to life in prison.
Scharron Dingledine-photo Douglas CountyDingledine’s vehicle pulled from the river on August 3 -image courtesy KCTV
Scharron Dingledine, of Columbia, Missouri, was sentenced Tuesday for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.
Prosecutors said she drove her car into the river near Lawrence in August . She and her 1-year-old son were rescued. The body of her 5-year-old daughter, Amiyah Bradley, was recovered the next day.
Dingledine told police she drove into the river in an attempt to kill herself and her children. She said she knew neither child could swim and would likely die.
She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder charge, and nearly 13 years for the attempted murder charge.
The Hays Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time position of Communications Coordinator. This position reports to the Executive Director of the HACC and works closely with the rest of the HACC staff, Board of Directors, Chamber members and other stakeholders. This position is responsible for writing, design and production of any internal and external communications for the HACC.
Must have proficiency in general computer skills in Word, Excel and Adobe Creative Suite; strong written and oral communication abilities; photography experience; be highly energetic, organized and self-motivated with superior attention to details; be able to understand, assist and promote the Chamber mission. Must have portfolio of work to share during interview stage. Send cover letter and resume to:
“Megalodon: The largest shark that ever lived” will have a walk-in replica of the massive shark that stretched to 60 feet and weighed an estimated 72 tons.
The exhibit is set to open to the public on Saturday, Feb. 2. The museum will have a members-only opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. The traveling exhibit is set to be at the Sternberg through Labor Day.
Megalodon are believed to have lived 23 million to 2.6 million years ago. Despite myths and legends perpetuated by movies like last summer’s “Meg,” the megalodon is long extinct.
As with modern sharks, megalodon bodies were primarily comprised of cartilage. All that remains of these giants today is their teeth, which could grow to seven inches. Megalodon were on the scene after the inland sea that covered Kansas vanished. However, fossil teeth can still be found in the Carolinas.
Visitors touch megalodon shark teeth at the “Megalodon: The largest shark that ever lived” exhibit. The traveling exhibit will open at the Sternberg on Feb. 2. (Courtesy photo)
Portions of the exhibit will allow people to look and touch megalodon teeth as well as view the progression of the shark’s jaw size as they grew from 30 feet to their full 60 feet.
Scientists believe megalodon preyed upon whales. Tooth marks have been found in fossilized whale bones.
Scientists are divided about the relationship between megalodon and modern sharks. Some scientists believe the megalodon are related to modern great white sharks and makos. However, others believe the megalodon evolved into another shark species that is also now extinct.
Visitors to the exhibit will also learn about modern sharks, their habitats and prey.
Darrah Steffen, Sternberg public relations assistant, said she thinks Americans’ fascination with sharks is born out of fear. However, she said it is important to dispel myths and create awareness to protect modern sharks in the wild.
“I think it is important to bring awareness even if we are in the middle of the United States,” she said. “Because you don’t want people to fear [sharks] if they ever come in contact with them.”
A boy stands inside the mouth of a life-size sculpture of a megalodon shark. (Courtesy photo)
Rachel Unruh, marketing intern, noted sharks are not the mindless killing machines as they have been portrayed. Sharks are calculated hunters and humans are not their typical prey.
“It is fear to fascination,” she said of the exhibit.
The exhibit was created by the University of Florida.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old Kansas man who authorities say suffocated his 2-month-old twin son by rolling over on him while they slept has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison.
Kempton-photo Sedgwick County
Kyle Kempton was sentenced Tuesday to 32 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter and four misdemeanor counts of endangering a child.
Police say Kempton and his wife, Christy Rollings, had been drinking for a week before their son, Patrick Kempton, died in August in a Wichita motel.
The other twin was not injured.
Rollings was charged with the same crimes and sentenced to probation for manslaughter and two years for the endangerment charges.
Officers took the twins from the parents two days before the boy died at the Scotsman Inn, but a family member returned the children to them.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — David Collins scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds and South Florida beat Wichita State 54-41 on Tuesday night after holding the Shockers to 15 first-half points, but scoring just 24 of their own in the second half.
It was the fewest points the Bulls have allowed in a first half since the 15 scored by Ohio on Nov. 16, 2018. Their 24 points were the fewest they have scored in a second half since scoring 27 against Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 29, 2018.
LaQuincy Rideau scored 11 points, grabbed nine rebounds and had four steals for South Florida (13-6, 3-4 American Athletic Conference), which shot 30 percent and made 6 of 19 3-pointers.
South Florida led 12-2 on T.J. Lang’s 3 while the Shockers made just 1 of 12 shots on 8-percent shooting with 11:54 left. Rideau’s free throws capped a 5-0 run for a 30-15 halftime lead.
The Shockers closed to 37-31 on Jamarius Burton’s layup after an 11-0 run, but Alexis Yetna and Collins each hit 3s and the Bulls led 50-39 with 3:19 to go.
Markis McDuffie scored 11 points for Wichita State (8-10, 1-5), which has lost six of its last seven and has yet to win on the road this season.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has delayed sentencing for a California man who admitted making a hoax call that led police to fatally shoot a Kansas man following a dispute between two online gamers over a $1.50 bet in a Call of Duty WWII video game.
Barriss is now being held in Harvey County
U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren on Tuesday delayed until March 1 sentencing for Tyler R. Barriss .
The government and defense had jointly requested more time to review objections to a presentence investigation report. The hearing had been scheduled for Jan. 30.
Barriss has pleaded guilty to 51 federal charges, including making a false report resulting in a death, cyberstalking and conspiracy related to the deadly swatting case in Kansas. The plea deal is expected to send him to prison for at least 20 years.
Barry Brown Jr. had 15 points, Dean Wade had 13 and Kansas State’s defense shut down No. 14 Texas Tech
MANHATTAN, Kansas (AP) — Barry Brown Jr. had 15 points, Dean Wade had 13 and Kansas State’s defense shut down No. 14 Texas Tech in a 58-45 win Tuesday night.
The Big 12’s top-ranked defenses combined to force 30 turnovers. The Wildcats (15-4, 5-2) held Texas Tech to 33-percent shooting and never led the Red Raiders get their offense rolling.
Jarrett Culver led Texas Tech (15-4, 4-3) with 17 points. Tariq Owens had 12.
The Red Raiders struggled to contain Brown in the first half. He had two step-back 3-pointers and 11 points. Wade was a mismatch as well, with Red Raider big man Norense Odiase called for three fouls in the first half. He only played five minutes.
Owens scored seven points off the bench in Odiase’s absence, keeping Texas Tech in it. Kansas State led 32-24 at the half.
The Wildcats led 46-38 midway through the second half before Wade made two free throws and Xavier Sneed hit a 3. The Red Raiders got back within eight but couldn’t get any closer.
BIG PICTURE
Texas Tech has lost three straight games after starting 4-0 in conference play. They will need to get the ship going back in the right direction soon.
Kansas State has won five straight and looks to be one of the best teams in the Big 12.
UP NEXT
Texas Tech will be home Saturday against Arkansas in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman has been found guilty of injuring an infant boy so badly at her home day care that he was left blind and brain damaged.
Hatfield-photo Johnson Co.
Paige Hatfield, 27, Olathe, was found guilty Friday of aggravated battery in Johnson County District Court.
The jury also granted a motion to allow the judge to impose a sentence above what is called for in state sentencing guidelines.
Hatfield is scheduled to be sentenced March 28.
The boy, Kingston Gilbert, was four months old when he was injured at the unlicensed day care in January 2017.
Hatfield testified that she did not hurt the child.
On Monday, three fatal Kansas accidents and another where the driver was critically injured had one thing in common. Those who died and the man critically injured were not wearing seat belts.
Vehicle in Monday’s fatal Jackson County crash – photo courtesy Jackson Co Sheriff
Just before 1:30 a.m., a GMC Sierra driven by Joli S. Hutto, 21, Mound Valley, was westbound on U.S. 400 two miles east of Parsons. The GMC crossed the center line and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by Charles J. Wass, 62, Parsons, head-on. Both drivers were not wearing seat belts and died, according to the KHP.
Just after 12:40p.m., an eastbound Lexus SUV driven by 72-year-old June Rockey of Topeka crossed U.S. 75 at 190th Road from the entrance of a convenience store in Jackson County, according to the sheriff’s department. A northbound Ford F 250 struck the Lexus. Rockey was transported to a Topeka hospital where she died. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the sheriff’s department.
At 2p.m. Monday, a 2008 Honda Civic driven by Tuyen T. Nguyen, 50, Wichita, was northbound on U.S. 83 two miles south of Garden City. The vehicle crossed the centerline, struck a semi and a bridge rail. She was transported to St. Catherine’s Hospital and died. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Just after 3:30p.m. John K. Mwithiga, 24, Lawrence, was westbound on Intestate 70 just west of Spring Creek Road when he lost control of a 1999 Acura after partially entering the snow covered median. The vehicle slid across the westbound lanes of I-70, entered the ditch, went up an embankment, crashed through a KDOT fence, rolled and the driver was ejected. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
SALINA –At a special school board meeting January 22, 2019, board members unanimously selected Linn Exline, executive director of school improvement to serve as interim superintendent beginning July 1, 2019.“While we were pleased with the pool of candidates, there was not a fit,” explained Nedra Elbl, board president. “We determined that the best fit was available within our district, Linn Exline.”
Over a span of 26 years in USD 305, Exline has broad educational experience as executive director of school improvement (teaching and learning), high school principal, director of staff development and accreditation, elementary principal, math and science K-12 curriculum specialist and elementary teacher.
Exline will be the second woman to serve in the interim superintendent role in Salina.
“As a Salina Public Schools graduate, and lifelong Salina resident, I am deeply invested in USD 305 and our community,” said Exline. “I’ve been fortunate to see firsthand the commitment of our teachers and staff at all levels and our strong community support for education. The challenge of ensuring each student is positioned for success when leaving 305 motivates me.”
Exline received the Kansas Thespians Conference Administrators Award in 2013, was recognized for her educational leadership by the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals Area III in 2012 and was selected as USD 305 Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1995.
Exline is a relationship builder and brings insider knowledge that comes from building a family and career within our community. “Her comprehensive experience in USD 305 uniquely positions her to continue the important initiatives underway,” added Elbl. “We are confident in her ability and excited about the continuity she represents.”
John Thissen (Courtesy USD 305)
Exline earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Kansas State University, completed her Master of Science in education administration and leadership at Kansas State University and earned her district leadership license from Emporia State University.
Linn Exline begins leadership of USD 305 on July 1, 2019. She will succeed Dr. James Hardy who led the district for two years as interim superintendent. Colleagues in the school improvement office as well as other district administrators will assist as Exline’s current duties are reassigned during her interim period. The board will determine next steps in the process of identifying a permanent superintendent later this summer.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Anti-abortion leaders are promising to pursue a change in the Kansas Constitution if the state’s highest court rules that the document protects abortion rights.
Tuesday’s Rally for Life inside the Statehouse-image courtesy Kansans for Life
Several hundred abortion opponents rallied Tuesday inside the Statehouse. They marked the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973 that legalized abortion across the nation.
But anti-abortion leaders also had another pending court case on their minds.
The Kansas Supreme Court heard arguments nearly two years ago from attorneys on whether the state constitution protects abortion rights.
The justices have not ruled. If they declare that the state constitution protects abortion rights, state courts might invalidate restrictions in Kansas that would be upheld by the federal courts.
Anti-abortion leaders said they would respond by pursuing a state constitutional amendment.
