SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect who allegedly attacked a police officer.

Just before 2a.m. Wednesday police on patrol observed a vehicle parked at Pawnee Park in the 10,000 Block of West Pawnee, according to officer Charley Davidson. During their investigation, police contacted 33-year-old Austin Hinojos.

They determined he was wanted on multiple warrants and attempted to take him into custody. Hinojos was non-compliant and resisted arrest. One officer was injured during the arrest, according to Davidson. Hinojos was found to be in possession of several knives, drugs and metal knuckles.

Austin Hinojos, 33, on requested charges that include aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, battery of a law enforcement officer, illegal weapons violations, aggravated weapons violations, resist arrest, unlawful possession of meth, remain in park after hours and outstanding warrants.

Hinojos previous convictions that include DUI, driving while suspected and forgery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill that would allow Kansas landowners to resell their permits to hunt white-tail deer to non-Kansas residents has barely passed the state House.

The vote Wednesday was 63-60 and sent the measure to the Senate.

Some rural legislators see the bill as an economic-development measure. Republican Rep. Ken Corbet of Topeka has said it could bring 4,500 tourists a year to Kansas to hunt.

Republican Rep. Joe Seiwert of Pretty Prairie said the additional hunting would decrease the number of vehicle crashes involving deer.

But some state officials have worried the bill would increase poaching by trophy hunters while limiting access to Kansas residents. The Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism opposed the measure.

A similar program two decades ago was suspended after poaching and violations of permit-transfer rules.

LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — The pastor of the largest Methodist congregation in the U.S. says he is deeply disappointed by a vote of the church’s delegates that rejected easing the faith’s ban on same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBT clergy.

Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton with the United Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, called Tuesday’s vote hurtful of gay and lesbian people and their families.

Hamilton said in a video made at the United Methodist Church conference in St. Louis that the Leawood church would continue to welcome everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.

Delegates at the convention defeated a proposal that would have allowed regional and local church bodies to decide their own gay-friendly policies. They instead approved a Traditional Plan, which strengthened discipline for those who defy the current same-sex policies.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend shooting and and reported Wednesday the victim had died.

Just after 5a.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1100 Block of South Fern in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Officers found a victim identified as 27-year-old Hector Ortega in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the head, according to Captain Brent Allred.  EMS transported him to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Police learned Tuesday night, Ortega died from his injuries, according to Allred.

Investigators have learned that Ortega had arrived and parked the vehicle on South Fern. There was an argument in the street and Ortega was shot one time, according to Allred.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact police.

By Grant DeMars

KU Statehouse News Service

TOPEKA — Rep. Renee Erickson (R-Wichita) was told to leave her religious beliefs “at the door” or to “find something else to do” during her time as a school principal at Brooks Middle School in Wichita. Because of that, Erickson says that students and faculty who want to express their religion in public schools should have the right to do so under the First Amendment, as long as they are not pushing it on anybody else.

Erickson testified before the House Education Committee in support of  House Bill 2288, which would allow faculty to take part in prayer led by students, as well as to allow students organize prayer groups and religious clubs and wear religious clothing.

She said that it’s unfortunate that the bill is needed, but it’s important to protect academic freedom which is derived from the First Amendment.

“House Bill 2288 simply reaffirms and solidifies students’ and school employees’ constitutional right to free speech,” Erickson said.

Brittany Jones, director of advocacy for the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas in Topeka, recounted instances in which educators and coaches were reprimanded for engaging in religious expression, even when asked to join in on student-led prayer after school hours and off school grounds. She said this bill will fix the current gray area of student law.

“No authority has ruled on this issue in Kansas, leaving legislature an open door to provide clarification,” Jones said.

She also said it would be effective in preventing lawsuits against public schools. Yet other legislators, such as Rep. Stephanie Clayton (D-Leawood), believe it will do the opposite

“This looks like it opens it up to a bag of worms,” Clayton said. “So, I’ve got concerns.”

She asked Jones if the bill would also apply to non-mainstream religions, such as Satan worshipers or even followers of the Church of the Spaghetti Monster.

Others, such as Kansas Association of School Boards Advocacy Specialist Leah Filter and lobbyist Mark Desetti from the Kansas National Education Association in Topeka, said that actions of authority figures influence students too much.

“Parents are in charge of their children’s religious beliefs,” Desetti said. “Educators don’t have the right in any way to usurp the rights of parents to choose their children’s moral or religious beliefs.”

He said that students look to teachers as role models, and that their actions should only model learning and respect in the classroom. Filter agreed with Desetti, and said that there are already educational institutions that allow for expression of faith.

“If we really want to have prayer in schools, we have religious schools that our children can attend,” Filter said.

Erickson ended the meeting by finding common ground with Filter and Desetti on the idea that educators should not be pushing ideas onto students.

Grant DeMars is a University of Kansas senior from Salina majoring in Journalism.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Lottery is warning its players to be on the lookout for scams.

Recently, the Kansas Lottery received multiple reports from its players about scammers contacting them via Instagram claiming to be the Kansas Lottery and asking for money.

The Kansas Lottery wants to remind its players the Lottery will never contact prize winners via social media or ask for money in order for a winner to claim a prize.

In order to avoid future scams, the Lottery is reminding its players to never provide personal information, such as bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and Social Security numbers over the phone or social media. The lottery also wants players to be wary of prize notices for contests or promotions they never entered or do not remember entering.

The Kansas Lottery has alerted Instagram of the scammer account and has asked for it to be removed. The Lottery has also alerted the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division about the scam.

If a player believes he or she has been contacted by a scammer, please contact the Kansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division by phone (785) 296-3751 or by email at [email protected].