Three-day weather outlook
Year: 2019
Search continues for woman who fled traffic stop, dragged Kan. deputy
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue the search for a driver who fled a traffic stop and dragged a Kansas deputy with the SUV.
On Sunday afternoon, a Sedgwick County Deputy was making a traffic stop on 45-year-old Melissa Jean Heinzman for a felony warrant. During the initial interaction with her, she took off dragging and running over the deputy, according to a social media report.
Authorities continue the search for Heinzman who is described a 5-foot-3, 120 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top and blue pants.
Authorities found her 1999 Ford Explorer Monday.
Heinzman has felony warrants and is the suspect in an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer case.
The deputy was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities ask that anyone who sees her or knows where she is should call 911.
—————–
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue the search for a driver who fled a traffic stop and dragged a Kansas deputy with the SUV.
On Sunday afternoon, a Sedgwick County Deputy was making a traffic stop on 45-year-old Melissa Jean Heinzman for a felony warrant. During the initial interaction with her, she took off dragging and running over the deputy, according to a social media report.
Authorities continue the search for Heinzman who is described a 5-foot-3, 120 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black tank top and blue pants. Se was driving a 1999 Ford Explorer with Kansas tag 317GMM
Heinzman has felony warrants and is the suspect in an aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer case.
The deputy was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Authorities ask that anyone who sees her or knows where she is should call 911.
Police: Kan. man jailed for attempted murder after violent attack with a pipe
GEARY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect following an alleged violent attack.
Just after 9a.m. Monday police responded to a report of a battery that occurred at 223 North Washington Street in Junction City, according to Captain Trish Giordano.
A 49-year-old man reported being battered with a pipe. He suffered injuries to his head, legs and torso and was treated at Geary Community Hospital.
On Monday afternoon, officers arrested Juan Pablo Flores, 40, Grandview Plaza on requested charges of Attempted Murder and Criminal Threat. Flores was being held without bond pending a first appearance in District Court, according to Giordano.
Expert: No need for alarm after numerous earthquakes recorded in the area
Over 22 earthquakes recorded in Ellis, Rooks and Russell counties since June 1
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
There is no need to rush to buy earthquake insurance, according to earthquake expert and Palco resident Don Steeples, despite the 22 earthquakes that were recorded by the Kansas Geological Survey through Ellis, Rooks and Russell counties since June 1.
The largest was rated a 4.5 on the Richter scale, the scale used to judge the intensity of an earthquake, in Rooks County early Saturday.
But despite the increasing frequency and intensity of late, there is little risk of a more damaging earthquake, Steeples said.
The fault lines that have caused recent earthquakes are a feature of the geological region called the central Kansas uplift, which is also responsible for the oil found in the area.
“There is a system of faults that run basically from Wichita up through this area and on up all the way through the Black Hills in South Dakota,” he said.
The recent 4.5 earthquake in Rooks County may be the largest residents have felt, but it is not the most significant earthquake known to have hit the area.
While there was no Richter scale at the time, he believes the largest earthquake in the area occurred in 1879, near Stockton, based on newspaper reports.
“If I were going to guess it, in terms of Richter scale, I would guess somewhere probability 4.7 to 5,” Steeples said. “So we know that earthquakes were occurring here before there were any effects from anything that humans have done.”
While the frequency of the earthquakes in the area is unusual, he is not worried about future earthquakes.
“Anytime you get multiple earthquakes in an area, in a month, that is certainly unusual compared to what we saw 30 to 40 years ago,” Steeples said.
The earthquake network Steeples operated in Kansas from 1977 to 1989 recorded about 200 earthquakes.
While the frequency might be increasing, he said the magnitude is limited by geology.
“I would speculate that the biggest earthquake that we could get in this part of the state, with a return period of several hundred years, would be somewhere in the Richter magnitude of 5.5 to possibly approaching 6,” Steeples said. “But certainly nothing above 6.
“I can tell you I don’t have earthquake insurance and don’t intend to buy earthquake insurance,” he said.
While western Kansas might be off the hook for a large, damaging earthquake, Steeples said an earthquake with a rating of around 6 on the Richter scale is possible around Manhattan every 200 years or so, but anything larger is unlikely and he does not expect a magnitude 7 or stronger earthquake to ever occur in Kansas.
“That is based on the maximum length of the faults that are present in the subsurface,” he said.
With earthquake intensity 6 or below, damage to structures is extremely limited when using frame construction, which is common in the area.
“The same thing that you build a building to withstand a 100 mph wind is the same construction that will withstand an earthquake up to a magnitude 6,” Steeples said. “In terms of structural damage that would cause someone to need to rebuild a part of a house, you really don’t start getting into that until you get into the magnitude 6’s in the U.S.”
Even cracked plaster noticed after an earthquake report is not likely a result of any single seismic event.
“It is really difficult to pin the responsibility for a crack in the sheetrock on a particular earthquake,” he said, but instead could be noticed after and attributed to the event.
Steeples obtained a Ph.D in earthquake seismology from Stanford and prior to his retirement served as the McGee Distinguished Professor of Applied Geophysics at the University of Kansas where he specialized in near-surface, high-resolution seismic reflection research, according to his KU bio page.
Police found 27-pounds of meth at Kansas man’s home
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita man was sentenced Monday to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking in methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Daniel C. Nicholson, 54, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, he admitted he bought pound quantities of methamphetamine outside Kansas and used a network of subordinates to store and distribute the drugs in Wichita.
Investigators found 27 pounds of methamphetamine when they served a search warrant at Nicholson’s home in the 11000 block of east Lewis in Wichita. They also found $31,952 in cash.
Kan. woman faces 20-years in prison for role in four armed robberies
WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to four commercial robberies, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Savannah Cole, 21, Wichita, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery. In her plea, he admitted committing the following robberies:
Dollar General Store, 915 S. Glendale in Wichita, Nov. 22, 2017. Cole admitted she and co-defendant Kenneth W. Cade, 29, Wichita, Kan., went into the store together to rob it. Cade pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. C-Store, 837 S. Oliver in Wichita, Feb. 7, 2018. Cole admitted she pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money. Cade stayed outside as a lookout. Arby’s, 4308 E. Harry in Wichita, Feb. 14, 2018. Cole and Cade went into the store to rob it. Cade pointed a firearm at an employee and demanded money. Circle K Store, 515 N. Seneca in Wichita, Feb. 14, 2018. Cole and Cade went into the store to rob it. Cole pointed a gun at the clerk and demanded money. Cade grabbed the cash.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 16. She faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Monday afternoon earthquake reported in Ellis County
ELLIS COUNTY —Another small earthquake shook Ellis County Monday afternoon.
The quake at 3:02p.m. measured a magnitude 2.8 and was centered in northern Ellis County, according to the Kansas Geological Survey.
A quake just before 2 a.m. Monday measured a magnitude 2.6 and was centered just north of the Ellis County line in Rooks County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
There are no reports of damage or injury from either quake.
Judge allows abortions to continue, for now at clinic in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge on Monday ruled that the state’s lone abortion clinic can continue performing abortions through Friday but kicked the clinic’s lawsuit out of court.
St. Louis Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer extended a preliminary injunction he previously issued in order to give a Planned Parenthood affiliate in St. Louis time to take a licensing fight before an administrative panel.
Stelzer ruled the clinic has not yet exhausted its options outside of court to handle the dispute over its license to perform abortions. The state health department on Friday declined to renew the clinic’s abortion license.
The judge directed Planned Parenthood to take the issue up with the Administrative Hearing Commission, a panel that typically handles disputes between state agencies and businesses or individuals.
“We will continue this fight in the Administrative Hearing Commission, and we won’t stop until every person can access the care they need when and where they need it,” said Dr. Colleen McNicholas, an OB-GYN at Reproductive Health Services at Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region.
She said in a statement that if the commission doesn’t act by Friday, “abortion access in the state of Missouri will be gone.”
Republican Gov. Mike Parson’s spokesman Steele Shippy said the judge’s ruling affirms the state’s contention that the licensing dispute should be heard by the commission.
“We look forward to trying the merits of this case in front of the AHC in our ongoing effort to ensure Planned Parenthood is following our state’s health laws which are necessary to protect women’s safety,” he said in a statement.
Cases before the commission can be appealed in court.
The fate of the clinic has drawn national attention because Missouri would become the first state since 1974, the year after the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide, without a functioning abortion clinic if it closes. The battle also comes as abortion rights supporters raise concerns that conservative-led states are attempting to end abortion through tough new laws and tighter regulation.
The state has said concerns about the clinic arose from inspections in March. Among the problems Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services investigators have cited were three “failed abortions” requiring additional surgeries and another that led to life-threatening complications for the mother, The Associated Press reported last week, citing a now-sealed court filing.
Planned Parenthood has said Missouri is using the licensing process as a weapon aimed at halting abortions.
Missouri is among several conservative states, emboldened by new conservative justices on the Supreme Court, to pass new restrictions on abortions in the hope that the high court will eventually overturn Roe v. Wade.
Parson signed legislation on May 24 to ban abortions at or beyond eight weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for medical emergencies but not for rape or incest.
The number of abortions performed in Missouri has declined every year for the past decade, reaching a low of 2,910 last year. Of those, an estimated 1,210 occurred at eight weeks or less of pregnancy, according to health department data.
More Missouri women are getting abortions in Kansas than in Missouri. Information from the state of Kansas shows that about 3,300 of the 7,000 abortions performed there last year involved Missouri residents.
Kansas has an abortion clinic in Overland Park, a Kansas City suburb just 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the state line.
The nearest clinic to St. Louis is in Granite City, Illinois, less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) away. Illinois does not track the home states of women seeking abortions so it’s unknown how many Missouri residents have been treated there.
Wet track creates slick conditions, exciting racing at RPM Speedway
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
All night Saturday, drivers struggled to stay on the track at Rolling Plains Motorspeedway as recent rains created a slick track and exciting racing.
CRAZY CRUISERS
Sponsored by
RADKE IMPLEMENT
On the first lap of the feature the 14, driven by Nathan Baumann, Russell, spun causing a caution that would start an exciting night of racing. Only two laps later, the 10-4, driven by Brennen Nech, Kensington spun bringing out another caution followed by a spin a few laps later by the 89 driven by Justin Yarmer, Russell, just before the halfway point.
After the restart, the 14 started putting pressure on the 89 taking the high side, while the 89 stayed low. The two cars battled for first until with a few laps to go the 14 went over the edge of the backstretch bringing out the caution.
After getting back on the track with one to go, the 14 went high, but could not catch the 89, who would win the race for the second time in a row at RPM.
“They (the 14) were making us work for it,” Yarmer said after the race.
Final results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | Justin Yarmer | Russell, KS | 89 |
| 2 | 3 | Nathan Baumann | Smith Center, KS | 14 |
| 3 | 2 | Shaun Woods | Dorrance, KS | 300 |
| 4 (DNF) | 1 | Brennen Nech | Kensington, KS | 10-4 |
IMCA SPORT COMPACTS
Sponsored by
SIMPSON FARMS
In the Sport Compacts feature event, the 18h, driven by Weston Groth, Hays, took the lead on lap one. On lap two the T21, driven by Ted Trumbo, St. Francis, would almost go over the backstretch, but recovered.
The 26, driven by Jesse McClurg, Logan, would not be able to keep the car on the track and goes over the edge of the backstretch a lap later as the 18H held the lead.
Around the halfway point, the 16, driven by Jakob Schwien, Russell started putting some pressure on the 18H going neck and neck until pushing into the lead while the 76 slid into second.
The 76 would stay right on the 16 until the last lap when the 16 pulled away for the win by a car length.
“Man that was fun,” Schwien said. “You could race anywhere on the track.”
Final Results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Jakob Schwien | Russell, KS | 16 |
| 2 | 8 | Toby Schwien | Russell, KS | 76 |
| 3 | 1 | Weston Groth | Hays, KS | 18H |
| 4 | 6 | Monte Honas | Ellis, KS | 19X |
| 5 | 5 | Brianna Maughlin | Dighton, KS | 17M |
| 6 | 4 | Art Herzog | Hays, KS | 9H |
| 7 | 3 | Jesse McClurg | Logan, KS | 26 |
| 8 | 2 | Ted Trumbo | St. Francis, KS | T21 |
IMCA SPORTMOD
Sponsored by
WALT’S REPAIR AND MACHINE
In the Sport Modified feature, the 11C quickly pulled several car lengths ahead of the pack quickly the rest of the group fought for position until lap three when the 2BA, driven by Jacey Archer, Quinter, spun after contact.
After the restart, the 3, driven by Adam Weber, WaKeeney, would go over the edge of the backstretch bringing out another caution.
On the next restart, with 17 to go the 1S, driven by Cody Stefanski, Great Bend, would slip into the infield while the 83, driven by Tracy Holloway, Osborne, would go low to take the lead.
But it would not hold with the 08, driven by Dakota Sproul, Hays, pulling the same move to take the lead only a lap later.
After race-ending trouble with the 77W, driven by Tyler Watts, Beloit, bringing out the caution, the 19, driven by Terry Collins, Ellinwood, would fail to start on the restart bringing on a caution.
During the next restart the 2BA, would spin, once again bringing out the yellow.
With 15 to go, the restarts went to single file after five cautions in only the first five laps of the race.
After the restart, the 08 would get low of the 11C for second and would later get high of the 83 taking the lead.
Following the halfway mark, the 08 would take a commanding lead finishing the almost a quarter of the track ahead of the 83.
For the second event in a row at RPM, the 08 would take the checkered flag.
Sproul would say after the event that after two years of driving the car he is very comfortable with it.
“We got this thing really tuned.”
Final Results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | Dakota Sproul | Hays, KS | 08 |
| 2 | 4 | Tracy Holloway | Osborne, KS | 83 |
| 3 | 6 | Shay Simoneau | Damar, KS | 22SS |
| 4 | 10 | Blaine Walt | Collyer, KS | 14W |
| 5 | 1 | Cory McGann | Ellis, KS | 11C |
| 6 | 12 | Brett Berry | Colby, KS | 09X |
| 7 | 8 | Brandon Wise | Hays, KS | 1K |
| 8 | 5 | Ben Boland | Hays, KS | 27 |
| 9 | 7 | Mitch Boesel | Denver, CO | 177 |
| 10 | 11 | Luke Stallbaumer | Tecumseh, KS | L26 |
| 11 | 20 | Travis Burger | Manhattan, KS | 6B |
| 12 | 21 | Toby Witthuhn | Ness City, KS | 10T |
| 13 | 18 | Terry Collins | Ellinwood, KS | 19 |
| 14 | 2 | Lloyd Stover | Bird City, KS | 7P |
| 15 | 15 | CJ Pfannenstiel | Wakeeney, KS | 4 |
| 16 | 17 | Shawn Ward | Great Bend, KS | F97 |
| 17 (DNF) | 14 | Jacob Huse | Kinsley, KS | 55 |
| 18 (DNF) | 19 | Jacey Archer | Quinter, KS | 2BA |
| 19 (DNF) | 16 | Tyler Watts | Beloit, KS | 77W |
| 20 (DNF) | 3 | Adam Weber | Wakeeney, KS | 3 |
| 21 (DNF) | 13 | Cody Stefanski | Great Bend, KS | 1S |
IMCA STOCK CAR
Sponsored by
ADVANTAGE GLASS PLUS
Right out of the gate, the stocks went three wide, as the 57, driven by Dalton Bauer, Ness City, would push through for the lead as the battle for second would heat up going three wide on lap 4.
Following a caution caused by contact between the 38, driven by Shaylon Holloway, Osborne, and the 16, driven by William Bauer, Ness City, the 37, driven by Jason Rogers, Selden, would challenge the 57 for the lead.
The two would go back and forth until a caution was brought out after the 54P driven by Kyle Pfeifer, Hill City, made contact with the 57.
With five to go, the 37 would take the lead on the restart and would pull away from the rest of the pack while the 54P and 57 would fight for second.
The 37, who finished third during the last RPM event, would win the race.
“I didn’t know if I was going to get it done or not,” Rogers said following the race and said the track was typically Hays with “a lot of character.”
Final Results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Jason Rogers | Selden, KS | 37 |
| 2 | 2 | Dalton Bauer | Ness City, KS | 57 |
| 3 | 7 | Kyle Pfeifer | Hill City, KS | 54P |
| 4 | 6 | Mike Petersilie | Hoisington, KS | 25P |
| 5 | 3 | Shaylon Holloway | Osborne, KS | 38 |
| 6 | 4 | Trenton Kleweno | Hays, KS | 13 |
| 7 | 11 | Troy Burkhart | Hays, KS | 25X |
| 8 | 1 | Marty Clark | Russell, KS | 8 |
| 9 | 5 | William Bauer | Ness City, KS | 16 |
| 10 | 10 | Cody Zimmerman | Dighton, KS | 2Z |
| 11 (DNF) | 9 | Barrett Wagoner | Colby, KS | 51W |
IMCA HOBBY STOCKS
Sponsored by
STOCK GOLDEN PLAINS TRUCKING
After the green flag drop the 29, driven by Skyler Wissman, Hays, would pull into the lead as the 77, driven by Cody Williams, Minneapolis, and the 22R, driven by Lyle Russell, Hays would battle hard for second, but by the next lap the 77 would pull ahead until the 54B, driven by Brennen Nech, Kensington would spin in turn four bringing out the caution.
On the restart, the 77 would take the lead staying high while the 711, driven by Brady Bencken, Oakley, would go low.
Within a lap, the two were side-by-side with the 711 slowly pulling ahead for the lead.
The 711 would hold the lead after a caution caused by the B20, driven by Brock Lehman, Abilene, getting turned around.
The B20 would spin again on the restart but did not bring out a caution.
The 711 would continue to hold the lead until another caution flag after the 37, driven by Bingston Rodger, Selden, would spin on the track.
Following the restart, the 711 would begin dominating the field pulling 3 car lengths ahead of the 77 by the halfway mark.
Just after halfway through the feature, the 18M, driven by Austin Meis, Hays, would spin into the infield bringing out another caution.
On the restart with six to go, to the 711 would slide back into the lead and stay in front to win.
“Starting that far back, I didn’t know what would happen,” Bencken said.
Final results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | Brady Bencken | Oakley, KS | 711 |
| 2 | 10 | Tathan Burkhart | Hays, KS | 250 |
| 3 | 4 | Cody Williams | Minneapolis, KS | 77 |
| 4 | 5 | Lyle Russell | Hays, KS | 22R |
| 5 | 9 | Brendon Stigge | Fairbury, NE | 69 |
| 6 | 7 | Daniel Irwin | Hays, KS | 7I |
| 7 | 8 | Josh Barnhart | Colby, KS | 5150 |
| 8 | 13 | Braxton Berry | Colby, KS | 15B |
| 9 | 6 | Spencer Hilbrink | Stockton, KS | 81H |
| 10 | 17 | Cody Ghumm | Wakeeney, KS | 1C |
| 11 | 12 | Wyatt Forshee | Glasco , KS | 34 |
| 12 | 1 | Devon Ghumm | Wakeeney, KS | 11D |
| 13 | 2 | Skyler Wissman | Hays, KS | 29 |
| 14 | 16 | Brooke Russell | Hays, KS | 12R |
| 15 | 18 | Adam Wasserman | Fairbury, NE | 41 |
| 16 | 22 | Brennen Nech | Kensington, KS | 54B |
| 17 | 20 | Brock Lehman | Abilene, KS | B20 |
| 18 | 23 | Austin Meis | Hays, KS | 18M |
| 19 | 14 | Kyle Thompson | Glen Elder, KS | 53KT |
| 20 | 3 | Garrett Kuhlmann | Smith Center, KS | 2K |
| 21 (DNF) | 15 | Bingston Rogers | Selden, KS | 37 |
| 22 (DNF) | 21 | Justin Meserve | Ellis, KS | 99 |
| DNS | – | Michael Smith | Hays, KS | 17S |
IMCA MODIFIED
Sponsored by
BRINEY MOTORSPORTS
The leaders would go three wide at the drop of the green, until the 0, driven by Kyle Rohleder, WaKeeney would push through for the lead after a lap until a spin by the 727, driven by Todd Schwarz, Colby would bring out a caution.
On the restart, the 0 would once again get ahead of the fray, as the pack remained bunched up behind.
Within five laps, the 0 would be at least 10 car lengths ahead of the group until a caution with 6 to go.
The 0 would continue dominating the race on the restart and would take the checkered.
“I knew with the competition that was here we had to get to the front and hold them off,” Rohleder said.
Final Results
| Pos | Start | Driver | Hometown | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Kyle Rohleder | Wakeeney, KS | 0 |
| 2 | 4 | Tanner Black | Otis, KS | 44T |
| 3 | 9 | Daniel Gottschalk | Ellis, KS | 3D |
| 4 | 5 | Dylan Sherfick | Wakeeney, KS | 66D |
| 5 | 7 | Clay Sellard | Bucklin, KS | 85C |
| 6 | 11 | Anthony Roth | Columbus, NE | 60IV |
| 7 | 3 | Ryan Heger | Hugoton, KS | 3H |
| 8 | 12 | Brendon Gemmill | Wichita, KS | G3 |
| 9 | 6 | Mike Petersilie | Hoisington, KS | 25P |
| 10 | 10 | Clay Money | Penokee, KS | 7 |
| 11 | 14 | Ronnie Hill | Sharon Springs, KS | 41 |
| 12 | 2 | Tim Watts | Beloit, KS | 11W |
| 13 | 16 | Jeremy Zorn | Russell, KS | 16Z |
| 14 | 20 | Curtis Barnes | Lindsborg, KS | 7B |
| 15 | 15 | Anthony Tanner | Topeka, KS | 7T |
| 16 | 17 | Jake Schroeder | Haven, KS | 17 |
| 17 | 19 | Todd Schwarz | Colby, KS | 727 |
| 18 | 18 | David Solberg | Larned, KS | 7S |
| 19 | 21 | Rich Tegethoff | Kirwin, KS | 87 |
| 20 (DNF) | 1 | Don Geist | Burlington, CO | 10G |
| 21 (DNF) | 13 | Brian Calhoon | Beloit, KS | 43 |
News From the Oil Patch, June 24
By JOHN P. TRETBAR
Oil prices at the state’s largest refinery are up four dollars since the beginning of the month. Kansas Common crude at CHS in McPherson starts the week at $47.75 per barrel, after gaining 75 cents on Friday. Cash crude on the Nymex closed at $57.35 Friday.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 26 active drilling rigs across Kansas last week, a gain of two rigs in eastern Kansas and one more west of Wichita. Operators in Ellis County were drilling on one lease and preparing to spud another. Drilling was also underway at one site in Stafford County. Baker Hughes reported 967 active drilling rigs across the U.S. last week, an increase of one oil rig, but a drop of four rigs drilling for natural gas. Texas was down four rigs, while New Mexico and Oklahoma were each down one.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reports operators in Kansas completed 27 wells last week, 704 so far this year, with five in eastern Kansas and 22 west of Wichita. New wells were completed in Barton, Ellis and Stafford counties.
Regulators approved 18 permits for drilling at new locations across the state of Kansas last week, four of those in eastern Kansas and 14 west of Wichita. There’s one new permit in Barton County and one in Ellis County. Year to date there are 431 new drilling permits in Kansas.
Rising tensions in the Persian Gulf are raising the cost of shipping crude oil. According to Lloyd’s Maritime Intelligence, freight rates in the region rose nearly 40% for crude oil shippers, and those new contracts added hefty insurance premiums.
According to BP’s Statistical Review of World Energy, the U.S. has extended its lead as the globe’s top oil producer, pumping a record 15.3 million barrels per day last year. The U.S. accounted for 98% of oil production growth. The Review reported a new worldwide consumption record of 99.8 million barrels per day.
Domestic crude oil inventories dropped last week. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, stockpiles fell by 3.1 million barrels in the week ending June 14 to 482.4 million barrels. Inventories are about seven percent above the five-year seasonal average.
The government said U.S. crude oil production also dropped slightly last week. Domestic production was tabbed at 12.17 million barrels per day. That’s down from 12.28 million barrels per day the week before.
EIA said our crude oil imports averaged 7.5 million barrels per day, down by 144-thousand barrels. The four-week average is 7.6% less than the same period a year ago.
Lawmakers in New Mexico could have a happy conundrum soon: what to do with an extra one billion dollars in oil revenue. The Permian Basin in southeastern New Mexico is expected to generate a windfall of between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion next year, according to a state lawmaker.
The Oregon House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate a bill that would create new fees on oil train cars to pay for spill prevention and planning in the state. The Oregonian reports the bill would also require train operators to carry more insurance to help pay for cleanup.
Weekly U.S. oil-by-rail traffic declined slightly but remains higher than last year at this time. According to the Association of American Railroads, 12,747 tanker cars carried petroleum and petroleum products during the week ended June 15, down 604 barrels from the week before, but still 13.6% [[“thirteen point six percent”]] higher than a year ago at this time. Canadian oil-by-rail increased by more than 30 percent over last year.
Canada’s government decided Tuesday to proceed with the construction of a major crude oil pipeline expansion, which will boost by about 15% the amount of Canadian oil piped to Pacific ports. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they hope to have shovels in the ground this year for the government-owned Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.
Update: Kansas man dead, 2 wounded after dispute at family gathering
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and a second wounded.
Just after 6:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the area in the parking lot of East 17th Street North in Wichita, according Captain Brent Allred. Upon arrival, officers located a 35-year-old Justin Green with a gunshot wound to his body. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
A short time later, a 25-year-old male arrived at an area hospital also with a gunshot wound to his body. He was treated and released from the hospital.
Just before 6a.m. Monday, police responded to a residence in the 3800 Block of West Cornelson in reference to a 22-year-old man involved in the shooting, according to Allred. Officers found the man with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to Allred.
The investigation revealed, a disturbance occurred between multiple individuals at a family gathering. Multiple shots were fired and multiple were involved, according to Allred. Three were struck by the gunfire. “This was a case of family members shooting at family members,” according to Allred. “This was not a random incident.” Police continue to look for several individuals that they know were in attendance.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
———————-
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another wounded.
Just after 6:30p.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the area of 17th and Poplar in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located a 35-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his body. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
A short time later, a 25-year-old male arrived at an area hospital also with a gunshot wound to his body. He was treated and released from the hospital.
The investigation revealed, a disturbance occurred between multiple individuals and a suspect fired multiple shots that struck the two men
The investigation is ongoing. This was not a random incident.
Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call WPD detectives at 316-268-4407 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.
Verna O. Arpin
October 31, 1923 – June 24, 2019
An obituary is pending with Stinemetz Funeral Home.
Click HERE for service details.
Mary Alice Craven
Mary Alice Craven, 87, of Hays, Kansas, died on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Services are pending with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell.