LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 31-year-old Leavenworth woman has pleaded not guilty in the death of her 19-month-old son.

Catherine Smith is charged with second-degree murder after her son’s death in November 2018. She pleaded on Monday.

Smith allegedly left her son in a room where the temperature exceeded 90 degrees without checking on him for an extended time.

Smith is free on bond. Court records indicate she was released Sept. 16 on a $25,000 bond.

The trial is scheduled for Jan. 21.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Tuesday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 GMC Suburban driven by Bruce Lee Strawder, 61, Wichita, was northbound on Interstate 235 in the right lane when he lost control of vehicle. The SUV struck the guardrail and overturned.

Strawder was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to the Sedgwick County Coroners Office. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

MANHATTAN, KANSAS —Dr. Alfonso Clavijo has been appointed as Director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), a state-of-the-art U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research and diagnostic facility designed to protect the nation’s agricultural systems and stakeholders against the threat and potential impact of serious animal diseases.

“Dr. Clavijo brings with him a wealth of technical knowledge in the diagnosis of transboundary, emerging and zoonotic diseases,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Administrator for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS). “As NBAF’s first permanent director, his extensive leadership experience will be a great asset in helping NBAF achieve its vision of being a national asset that protects U.S. agriculture and consumers through cutting-edge research, diagnostics, training, and development of vaccines and other countermeasures.”

ARS partners with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to operate NBAF. The facility is currently under construction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with commissioning scheduled for completion in 2021.

Clavijo, who starts October 13, will play a key role in ensuring the smooth transition of responsibility from DHS to USDA once the 574,000 square-foot facility becomes fully operational in 2023.

Prior to his appointment at NBAF, Clavijo served as Laboratory Executive Director of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) National Centres for Animal Disease, which operates laboratories in Winnipeg and Lethbridge. As Director, Clavijo oversaw the administration of diagnostic services, related technology development and research to detect and prevent transboundary, emerging and zoonotic animal diseases.

He also directed the management of biosafety level (BSL) 2-4 facilities that allow for the contained study of pathogens that cause foreign animal diseases, including foot-and-mouth, African swine fever, classical swine fever and highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Under Clavijo’s leadership, CFIA’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg was named by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as reference center for emerging and zoonotic pathogens.

Clavijo’s leadership also earned him Canada’s 2018 President’s National Award in “Leadership in People Management.” This prestigious honor cited Clavijo’s exemplary people-management skills and his demonstration of excellence in advancing CFIA goals, values and ethics as a human resources manager.

Clavijo has held leadership or advisory positions at CFIA laboratories, as well as Kansas State University, Texas A&M University, the Pan American Health Organization, and National University in Bogota, Colombia.

Clavijo earned a doctorate degree in Veterinary Microbiology/Virology while attending the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, from June 1990 to March 1995 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from National University in Bogota, Columbia, 1986.

Clavijo has published numerous scientific works and continues to serve as an adjunct professor or advisor at affiliate organizations.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man who attacked staff members at a Kansas television station in 2012 is now charged with assaulting a county corrections officer.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Monday that Ray Miles is charged with attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery.

Prosecutors allege Miles attacked Shawnee County Corrections Officer Kourtney Flynn in July while she was trying to get him to return a phone. Investigators say the attack continued until other officers intervened. Flynn was treated at a hospital for several injuries.

During a court appearance Tuesday, Miles said he wanted to represent himself.

Miles assaulted several employees of WIBW-TV in May 2012, stabbing two of them. His sentence was scheduled to end in November. He is being held on $500,000 bond on the new charges.

BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a finding him hiding in an attic and making arrest.

Just after 3:30p.m. Monday, Sheriff’s Officers were looking for Roosevelt T Henderson of Great Bend. Henderson wanted for outstanding warrants from Barton and Russell Counties, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The Sheriff  located the suspect vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop at which point the vehicle fled. A short vehicle chase ensued in the west part of Great Bend. The driver of the 2007 GMC Yukon pulled into the driveway at 5918 Aspen and attempted to enter the garage. The vehicle struck part of the building, at which time the suspect fled on foot to the backyard while carrying a package. He was able to enter the house. With permission of the occupants of the residence Sheriff’s Officers entered the house and determined Henderson was hiding in the attic. After a short standoff Henderson surrendered to deputies without incident.

During the course of the investigation Sheriff’s deputies discovered nearly 5 pounds of methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the seizure is in excess of $100,000. Henderson has been booked into the Barton County jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of a school, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, attempt to flee and elude law enforcement, as well as resisting arrest and numerous traffic violations. Henderson also had a no bond warrant issued from Barton County as well as a no bond warrant from Russell County. At the time of his arrest Henderson was out on bond stemming from charges in the drug raids on September 13, 2019.