KANSAS CITY (AP) — A man accused of threatening to shoot people in an underground business complex in Kansas City is charged with making a terrorist threat.
Becknal photo Johnson Co.
Clay County prosecutors charged 45-year-old Kevin Becknal on Wednesday.
Becknal, of Orrick, had been fired days earlier from one of the businesses at the Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, which is a massive subterranean network of businesses in old limestone mines.
The Kansas City Star reports that court records say Becknal returned to the complex Tuesday and told a former co-worker to call a supervisor. He said he had 45 bullets to “shoot people around here.”
Becknal drove off about 10 minutes later but police didn’t know, so they closed the caves and told workers to remain in their offices.
Becknal was arrested later in Prairie Village, Kansas, and remains in the Johnson County jail on a bond of $50,000.
MEADE COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after 6p.m. Wednesday in Meade County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Kevin D. Glaze, 38, Minneola, was southbound on Meade County Road 26 three miles north of Fowler.
The Pontiac crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2004 Kenworth semi driven by Christopher R. Miller, 33, Ashland
Glaze was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Ziegler Funeral Home. EMS transported Miller to the hospital in Meade. Glaze was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
Stephen Durrell, acting executive director of the Kansas Lottery, and John’s Food Center owner, John Benson, holding the first dollar from the vending machine.
KS LOTTERY
TOPEKA – The Kansas Lottery is launching four self-service vending machine pilot program sites at select retailers around Topeka.
In 2018, the Kansas legislature passed HB 2194 allowing the Kansas Lottery to sell traditional style lottery tickets through self-service vending machines.
“The Kansas Lottery is excited to join the majority of other states offering the convenience of selling lottery products through self-service vending machines,” said Stephen Durrell, the acting executive director of the Kansas Lottery. “We look forward to the opportunity of increasing our sales and our transfer to the state. We feel the machines will also provide easier access for our players to find their favorite games.”
The first pilot site, John’s Food Center, was installed on Wednesday and already had its first customer.
Malik El-amin with the Powerball ticket he purchased from a vending machine.
Malik El-amin of Topeka was the first Kansas Lottery player in the state to purchase a Kansas Lottery ticket using the vending machine. El-amin bought a Powerball ticket and even added the Power Play option.
“It was an exciting experience,” El-amin said. “I like how simple it is you don’t have to wait in line to buy a ticket. It was awesome.”
The three other pilot program sites will be operational next week.
The pilot program locations are:
· Gage Center Bowl, 4200 SW Huntoon Street, Topeka.
· John’s Food Center, 5812 SW Topeka Blvd, Topeka.
· Kansas Lottery Headquarters, 128 N. Kansas Ave, Topeka.
· West Ridge Lanes, 1935 SW Westport Drive, Topeka.
The Kansas Lottery plans to roll out a total of 272 machines to select retailers across the state beginning in July 2019.
Up to $8 million of the net profit from the machines will go to mental health programs throughout the Sunflower state.
Attached to the email is a picture of Malik El-amin with the Powerball ticket he purchased and a picture of Stephen Durrell, the Acting Executive Director of the Kansas Lottery, and John’s Food Center owner, John Benson, holding the first dollar from the vending machine.
TOPEKA, KAN. – A woman who operated massage parlors in Lawrence and Topeka was sentenced Wednesday to three years on federal probation for operating a prostitution business, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Nielsen -photo Shawnee Co.
In addition, the defendant agreed to pay a $650,000 judgement, which represents the proceeds of the crime.
Weiling Nielsen, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy. Nielsen owned and operated Naima Asian Massage and Serenity Health Spa in Lawrence, as well as Jasmine Massage in Topeka. In her plea, she admitted the massage parlors provided sexual services to customers for payment in cash. Nielsen and others advertised the services on the internet. Nielsen and her husband deposited cash into various bank accounts and purchased money orders for deposit in bank accounts in California.
McAllister commended the FBI, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Topeka Police Department, the Salina Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney for their work on the case.
Just after 5:30p.m. Tuesday, the US Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force attempted to locate Anthony C. Pagel and Rachel L. Kiser, who were both wanted by the Kansas Department of Corrections for parole warrants.
The Task Force attempted to make contact with both of the fugitives at an apartment in the 1300 block of SW Harrison in Topeka, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.
After a brief standoff, both fugitives surrendered and were placed into custody without incident. Authorities seized contraband from the apartment including over 100 rounds of ammunition (45 caliber, 9mm caliber, .380 rounds, and 12 gauge shotgun rounds Ithaca shotgun M-66 12 gauge (sawed off), Kel-tec .380 P3AT pistol with the serial # removed, approximately 95 grams of suspected meth and approximately 6 grams of suspected heroin
Pagel and Kiser, both of Topeka, were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on Parole Warrants, weapons charges, and drug charges.
The US Marshals Fugitive Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional fugitive task force comprised of the United States Marshals Service, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Corrections, Topeka Police Department, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A recent Kansas Supreme Court ruling declaring that the state constitution protects access to abortion opened the door to a new legal attack on the death penalty.
Frazier Glenn Miller Photo Jackson Co.
Attorneys for five of the 10 men on death row in Kansas argue that the abortion decision means the state’s courts can enforce the broad guarantees of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in the Bill of Rights in the Kansas Constitution. The lawyers contend the convicted killers cannot be executed because capital punishment violates their “inalienable” right to life.
They include Frazier Glenn Miller Jr., a white supremacist convicted of killing three people at two Jewish sites in the Kansas City area in 2014, and Jonathan and Reginald Carr, two brothers who, authorities said, forced five people to remove money from ATMs and have sex with one another before killing four of them in Wichita in 2000.
Defense attorneys launched the new legal attack on capital punishment in filings with the state Supreme Court in May, less than two weeks after the abortion decision. The justices took the claims seriously enough to order defense attorneys and prosecutors to file additional written arguments, with the last ones due in mid-November.
“It hasn’t been argued under the Kansas Constitution, at least, not in the way we are presenting it in these cases,” Meryl Carver-Allmond, an attorney for two of the men. “This is a new argument.”
The Kansas Supreme Court’s abortion ruling in April was the latest in a long list of decisions that have angered conservative Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature. It said the state’s Bill of Rights grants a right to “personal autonomy” that includes access to abortion.
Four of the seven justices were appointed by Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and two by moderate Republican Gov. Bill Graves. The seventh, the only dissenter in the abortion case, was appointed by conservative GOP Gov. Sam Brownback.
Past decisions in capital murder cases also have sparked anger. Kansas’ last legal executions were in 1965, by hanging, and the state enacted its current death penalty law in 1994.
The court has yet to rule in Miller’s case. In 2014, the court overturned death sentences for the Carr brothers in two separate rulings. Those decisions helped fuel unsuccessful election campaigns in 2014 and 2016 to oust all but Brownback’s appointee. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the rulings, sending the Carrs’ cases back to the Kansas Supreme Court. The cases are pending.
Republican Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt told The Associated Press this week that the abortion decision “opened the door for a wide range of new litigation.”
“There is a certain irony that a case regarding abortion is now being urged by some as a reason to upend the death penalty in Kansas,” Schmidt said. “I think that’s just the start, because this holding was so sweeping. I think it’s not just going to be abortion.”
In 2001, in its first ruling under the state’s current death penalty law, the Kansas Supreme Court rejected an argument that the state constitution grants a right to life barring executions for crimes. Defense attorneys now argue that the abortion decision provides grounds for reconsidering that conclusion.
David Lowden, an assistant district attorney, argued in filings this month in the Carr brothers’ cases that it remains a “vast legal reach” to argue that capital punishment violates the state constitution.
Jeffrey Jackson, a Washburn University of Topeka law professor, said the right to life has never been interpreted to include freedom from being executed for a capital crime.
“When you’re trying your client from being executed, you find all the stuff. Your requirement is that you make all the arguments that you can credibly make,” Jackson said. “I just think that this one’s — it would not withstand scrutiny.”
Richard Levy, a University of Kansas law professor, said the abortion ruling suggests the Kansas court might recognize rights for the state’s residents that aren’t recognized nationally. Levy said he has doubts that the Kansas Supreme Court would declare capital punishment violates the state constitution but added, “I don’t think the argument is frivolous.”
“I think it’s more likely that the end result would be the death penalty is still constitutional but more safeguards have to be applied in Kansas than at the national level,” Levy said.
“We’re still open. It is not going to affect us. Come on out to the park.”
By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post
Although the Kansas Department of Transportation closed the bridge over the spillway at Cedar Bluff State Park on Wednesday, Park Ranger Kyle Burgoon said he did not think the closure would seriously affect the operations of the park.
He said Kansas Highway 147 will be closed over the dam and the spillway. However, park goers should be able to route around the closed section of the road to still reach the south side of the park via K-147 using chalk roads. The detour is about 10 miles one way.
The detour would route people east on U Road about 3 miles to 370th Road then south about 4 miles to Y Road and then back west another 2.5 miles to K-147.
The south side of the park can also be accessed via U.S. Highway 283 and Kansas Highway 4.
The road over the entire length of the dam will have to be closed, Burgoon said because there is no turnaround point on the dam.
The park is still expecting about 10,000 people over the Fourth of July holiday next week. All of the camping sites with utilities have been reserved, Burgoon said.
“Really, I would say have patience with it,” he said. “It may take a little bit longer to go from one side to the other, but in the long run, it is for everybody’s safety to basically get a brand-new bridge put in and it will last a lot longer.
“We’re still open. It is not going to affect us. Come on out to the park.”
Sport Haven is a convenience store, bait and marine shop at the north entrance of the Cedar Bluff State Park on K-147.
Sydney Parker, Sport Haven store clerk, said she is being optimistic about how the bridge closure will affect the store’s business. She said she thinks people will be able to route around the closed bridge, visit the business and enjoy the park.
“I know we are going to have a few unhappy campers, but once they spend some time here, it’ll get better,” Parker said.
Burgoon also urged people to not go around the barricades as the bridge at the spillway has been deemed unsafe.
Plans are being developed for an emergency bridge replacement project to be completed in 2020, according to KDOT.
Recovered June 25 in Ness County following a traffic stop
HAYS POST
NESS COUNTY – A traffic stop late Tuesday afternoon by the Ness County Sheriff’s office nets more than $11,000 in cash plus drugs and drug paraphernalia.
According to a social media post Wednesday afternoon by the office, at approximately 4:45 p.m. Tue., June 25, the Ness County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on Highway K-96 and W Road.
K9 Bach was deployed and a probable cause search was conducted. Deputies recovered over $11,000 in U.S. currency, cocaine, marijuana edibles, and drug paraphernalia.
One male subject was arrested and transported to the Ness County Jail. He is currently held on $50,000.00 bond. Formal charges are pending.
RUSH COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 9a.m. Wednesday in Rush County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Ford Transit driven by Robert J. Trapp, 49, Otis, was southbound on 370 Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at Avenue X. A 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by Cheryl L. Conard, 69, Timken struck the Ford.
Trapp was not wearing a seat belt and was transported to the hospital in Great Bend. Conard had a minor injury, according to the KHP.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Sedgwick County Attorney has charged Wichita Police officer Matthew Powell with one count of Obstructing Apprehension or Prosecution, a class C misdemeanor and two counts of Official Misconduct, both class A misdemeanors, according to a media release from Wichita Police Department.
The charges stem from an incident in early May when police supervision learned of Powell allegedly assisting an adult female to avoid being located by police for her outstanding warrant.
Powell has been employed as a Wichita Police officer for seven years. He was placed on unpaid administrative leave Wednesday.
WPD officials requested the case be investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office pursuant to a collaborative 2017 agreement to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.
CLEVELAND (AP) – Trevor Bauer struck out a season-high 12 in 6 2/3 innings, and the Cleveland Indians beat the Kansas City Royals 5-3 on Wednesday.
Bauer (6-6) had the 23rd double-figure strikeout game of his career and his fourth this season. The right-hander gave up one run and didn’t allow a hit until rookie Humberto Arteaga singled with two outs in the fifth.
Bauer matched a career high by throwing 127 pitches and held the Royals to three hits. He got a standing ovation and tipped his cap on the way to the dugout after being removed with two on in the seventh.
Jake Bauers and Tyler Naquin homered off Jakob Junis in the fourth. Bauers had gone 15 at-bats without a hit before his leadoff blast.
Jason Kipnis, Oscar Mercado and Jordan Luplow also drove in runs for Cleveland. Francisco Lindor was 3 for 4 and scored two runs.
Junis (4-7) allowed four runs in six innings and hasn’t won since May 30.
Lucas Duda homered in the ninth for Kansas City off Nick Wittgren. Pinch-hitter Alex Gordon singled in a run before Wittrgren struck our Billy Hamilton and Whit Merrfield to end the game. The Royals struck out 16 times.
Hunter Dozier, whose ninth-inning grand slam off closer Brad Hand gave the Royals an 8-6 win on Tuesday night, struck out in all four at-bats.
Bauer hit Cam Gallagher with a 3-2 breaking pitch with one out in the third. Bauer also hit Jorge Soler in the left shoulder to lead off the seventh, prompting the Royals right fielder to stare at the pitcher before he slowly walked to first
Bauer was removed after Gallagher drew a two-out walk, but Nick Goody retired Billy Hamilton on a popup.
Arteaga hit a sharp ground ball under the glove of first baseman Bobby Bradley, who made a diving attempt in the fifth. After Gallagher singled to right, Hamilton’s bloop double scored Arteaga.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: C Salvador Perez (right elbow) has been cleared to resume catching on the side, but is still not permitted to throw a baseball. The six-time All-Star underwent Tommy John surgery on March 6 and is not expected to play this season.
Indians: RHP Corey Kluber will undergo tests on his broken right arm Thursday. He’ll begin playing catch if the results show the bone is still healing properly. … RHP Carlos Carrasco, who was diagnosed with a blood condition, has been playing catch with his teammates. “It’s not gonna hurt him in any way and they’ve encouraged him to have activity,” manager Terry Francona said.
UP NEXT
Royals: LHP Danny Duffy (3-3, 4.48 ERA) opens a four-game series Friday at Toronto. He pitched a season-high eight innings against Minnesota in a no-decision on June 22.
Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (1-1, 2.70), who sprained his left ankle on June 17 at Texas, will be activated off the 10-day injured list to start Friday at Baltimore.
LONDON (AP) — Singer Sheryl Crow says the original tapes of albums such as “Tuesday Night Music Club” and the track “All I Wanna Do” perished in a 2008 fire at Universal Music Group.
Crow told the BBC Wednesday that her master tapes and back-ups were destroyed in the blaze and that she only discovered the loss after a New York Times report revealed the extent of the damage.
Crow says the fire “feels a little apocalyptic” and that she didn’t “understand the cover-up.”
A group of artists, including Soundgarden and estates representing Tupac Shakur and Tom Petty, have sued. The artists allege that Universal failed to protect music ruined in the fire and inform them of the extent of its impact.
Universal did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
