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Kansas man drowns while swimming at Lake of the Ozarks

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 27-year-old Kansas City-area man has drowned while swimming at the Lake of the Ozarks during the Memorial Day holiday.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said 27-year-old William Gordon-Price of Overland Park, Kansas, drowned about 4:45 p.m. Monday near the Grand Glaize Bridge.

Gordon-Price had jumped into the water and was swimming near a pontoon boat when he went under and did not resurface.

The Highway Patrol said the lake is about 60 feet deep in the area where Gordon-Price went under. The patrol said he was operating the pontoon boat and was not wearing a safety device.

Rescuers used surface and side-scan sonar searches in hopes of finding him. Divers were brought in to search for him and continued into Monday night.

Police identify suspect in fatal Kansas officer-involved shooting

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating Monday’s fatal officer-involved-shooting and have identified the suspect.

Image courtesy Wichita Police

Just before 1:30 a.m., police responded to a check shots call at a residence in the 1900 block of South Glenn in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. The 911 caller reported 49-year-old Robert Sabater of Wichita was firing gunshots outside his residence that struck three other surrounding homes.

Upon arrival, WPD officers and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) deputies observed Sabater sporadically firing multiple shots from inside and outside his home. During this time, officers took cover positions, began evacuating homes around the source of gunfire and one SCSO deputy returned fire.  A WPD field supervisor also attempted to contact Sabater by phone, which was unsuccessful.

Sabater continued to fire shots from his home and a short time later ran onto Glenn Street waving a handgun while shouting.  He ran south on Glenn towards officers, and was given commands by the officers to drop the gun.  Sabater did not comply, turned around and ran north on Glenn.

Officers contacted Sabater again the intersection of Dora Street and Glenn Street.  He was still armed with a handgun. Officers again gave multiple orders for Sabater to put the gun down.  He did not comply, pointed his gun at officers and multiple shots were fired by WPD officers and SCSO deputies.  Sabater was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Davidson. No law enforcement officers or citizens were injured.

Five WPD officers and five SCSO deputies discharged their weapons during this incident. The WPD officers involved are seven, three, two year and eight month veterans of the department.  The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard departmental procedure during officer-involved shootings.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting with investigating the incident to provide transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

This case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

Mary Ann Davidson

Mary Ann Davidson, 71, died May 27, 2019, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita. She was born June 12, 1947, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Lester and Viola (Krier) Kahler.

A 1965 graduate of Holyrood High School in Kansas, she later attended Fort Hays State College.

On July 30, 1967, she married Dale A. Davidson at the United Church of Christ in Holyrood, Kansas.

They journeyed together throughout his military career with the Air Force. First to Enid, Oklahoma, and then to Vacaville, California. Mary Ann returned to Claflin, Kansas, while Dale was serving in Vietnam. Upon his return they lived in O’Fallon, Illinois, back to Vacaville, California, then to Montgomery, Alabama, back again to O’Fallon, Illinois, onto Bellevue, Nebraska, and then back for one last stop in O’Fallon, Illinois, where they retired before finally moving back to her beloved state of Kansas, settling in Derby, Kansas, in 2017.

Mary Ann was a secretary for 20 years for the O’Fallon School District in Illinois, retiring in 1997.

She actively supported the USO; Victory in the Valley, and the various churches where they lived. She was an avid KU basketball fan, she loved traveling with family and friends, their many bicycle trips, quilting, cross-stitching, puzzles, spending time with her grandchildren, and of course sunflowers. For those who knew her, every time they see a sunflower, they will think of her and the joy she brought to so many.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 52 years, Dale Davidson of the home; sons, Philip Davidson and wife Trisha of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Andrew Davidson and wife Erin of Caseyville, Illinois; four grandchildren, Drew, Kyle, Chloe, and Cainan Davidson; a brother, Lester Kahler of Haysville, Kansas; numerous cousins from the Kahler and Krier families; and many friends from their journeys around the country with the Air Force and bicycling trips.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 2, 2019, with family to receive friends from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, Hoisington, Kansas.

Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2019, at the United Methodist Church, Claflin, Kansas, with Pastor Diane Webster presiding. Burial will follow in Claflin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Davidson Family Foundation, benefiting the Claflin Library, Victory in the Valley, and Scholarships in the communities she touched during her journey, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ of Holyrood, and the United Methodist Church of Claflin, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Historic Fort Larned closed due to flooding

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

LARNED — Due to flooding of the only access road, the Fort Larned National Historic Site is currently closed, but the levee system protecting the historic site is currently holding keeping the buildings and grounds safe.

Fort Larned flood
Photos courtesy Celeste Dixon, Park Ranger Fort Larned National Historical Society

“The historic buildings are not flooded,” said Celeste Dixon, park ranger.

She said the closure is an effort to keep drivers safe as water from a nearby field is flowing over the entrance road.

Currently “there is no damage or water in the historic court at all,” Dixon said.

“Right now, everything is still within the parameters of protection within our levee system,” said William Chapman, facilities operations specialist.

But he said monitoring of the system will continue as more water is moving down the Pawnee River, which flows near the site.

Water at the Rozel monitoring station is just dipping below flood stage and that water is approximately a day away from the site according to Chapman.

“So it may be tomorrow afternoon before we can open up,” he said.

But with more rain in the forecast over the coming days, the reopening may be pushed back.

“If the water rises that may change the story,” Chapman said.

The site will post updates to Facebook as the situation changes.

Police: Kansas boy hit riding a bike two weeks ago dies

TOPEKA—  The Kansas boy critically injured after hit by a car while riding a bicycle has died.

Scene of Tuesday evening’s investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV

The 11-year-old died Monday, according to Gretchen Koenen with the Topeka Police Department.

Just before 7p.m. May 14,  police responded to the intersection of SW 4th and Taylor in Topeka where the vehicle struck the 11-year-old on a bicycle.

EMS transported him to a local hospital with what was determined to be life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation, according to Koenen. Police have not released additional details.

Saline Co. man holds intruder at gunpoint until deputies arrive

A rural Saline County man got a rude awakening early Sunday morning.

Bradley Lantz, 60, awoke about 2:40 a.m. Sunday upon hearing someone in his residence in the 7400 block of West Water Well Road, Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said Tuesday. Lantz went downstairs and found Clinton MacDonald, 30, of Lindsborg in the residence, Soldan said. Lantz held MacDonald at gunpoint until deputies could arrive, Soldan added.

Soldan said MacDonald was arrested on suspicion of DUI and trespassing.

 

 

Lillian H. Leiker

Lillian H. Leiker, age 84, of Schoenchen, Kansas passed away Monday, May 27, 2019 at Homestead of Hays. She was born October 11, 1934 in Liebenthal, Kansas to Isidore and Albertina (Legleiter) Herrman. On August 25, 1953 she married Lester Charles Zimmerman. He preceded her in death on April 7, 1970. On October 20, 1977 she married Norbert K. Leiker. He preceded her in death on April 24, 2010.

Lillian was a long time Avon representative for over 40 years. After Lester’s death in 1970 Lillian worked extremely hard to keep the family farm which she was able to do as a single mother. Family gatherings were especially important to Lillian. She enjoyed flower gardening, embroidery on tea towels, playing cards and simply driving around in the country. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and St Anthony Altar Society in Schoenchen.

She is survived by her children, Linda Cole and husband Aaron of Russell, Loran Zimmerman and wife Jolene of LaCrosse, Bonnie Rose and husband Richard of Mobile, AL., Brenda Thyfault and husband Jim of Hays, Brian Zimmerman and wife Lori of Ulysses and Shari Gale and husband Randy of Shell Knob, MO; four stepchildren, Lester Leiker and wife Jerri Ann of Hays, Terry Leiker of LaCrosse, Neal Leiker and wife Linda of Hays, Brenda Park and husband Dan of Olathe; a brother, William Herrman and wife Lucy of LaCrosse; her sisters, Viola Depperschmidt of LaCrosse, Henrietta Haselhorst of Hays, Mary Catherine Dreher of Plainville and Georgianna Herrman of Great Bend; 20 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren also survive her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, spouses and a brother, Mike Herrman.

Funeral services will be 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Schoenchen. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM – 8 PM at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

A Schoenchen Altar Society rosary will be 6:45 PM Wednesday followed by a parish vigil service at 7:00 PM all at the funeral chapel.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Anthony Church of Schoenchen or the St. Joseph Church of Liebenthal Steeple Fund.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]

Glenva Irene Coburn

Glenva Irene Coburn, 75, of Quinter, KS, passed away on May 26, 2019, at the Sheridan County Long Term Care Unit, Hoxie, KS.

Glenva was born at home on the family farm in Sheridan County on August 1, 1943, to Glenn Henry and B. Irene (Babcock) Stephenson. She attended first through eighth grade at the Allison School in Decatur County and then graduated high school from Sheridan County High School, Hoxie, KS, in 1961. She went on to Central Business College in Denver, CO, and graduated in 1962.

On October 21, 1962, Glenva married Sammie Alan Coburn at the McGraw Methodist Church in Sheridan County. They were married 43 years and lived in Lawton, OK, right after marriage but soon moved north of Quinter onto the family farm where they remained. To this union, they were blessed with three children: Lance Samuel, Maylene Sharee and Jodie Lynn.

Glenva worked as a typist in Denver and then once married, she worked at the Gove County Hospital, Superette Grocery, Coast to Coast and as a caregiver in Quinter, KS, along with many hours on the farm beside Sammie. She enjoyed farm life, spending time with family and friends, sewing, cooking, crafts, gardening but most of all, being a mom, grandma and wife. She was actively involved with the Church of the Brethren, Gove County Auxillary, Gove County Senior Center and in earlier years, she was involved in 4-H as a member and leader and she belonged to the Freya Club.

Glenva is survived by her son, Lance (Rhonda) Coburn, Quinter, KS; daughter, Jodie (Jeff) Munk, Menlo, KS; grandchildren, Michael Noble, Perryton, TX, Derek Dees, Guymon, OK, Shelby Coburn, Topeka, KS, L.T. Coburn, Quinter, KS, Samantha Munk, Menlo, KS, and Alan Dees, Hooker, OK; brother, Laurel (Ruby) Stephenson, Hays, KS; sisters, Norene Thomasson, Kelso, WA, and Esther (Frank) Weis, Akron, CO; brother and sister in law, Glenn and Arlene Bird, Quinter, KS; and many other family and friends.

Glenva is preceded in death by her husband, Sammie; daughter, Maylene Dees; parents Glenn and Irene; grandparents, Olin and Nora Babcock and Anna Dufrin; and brother in law, David Coburn.

The funeral service will be Saturday, June 1, 2019, at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Brethren, Quinter, KS. Burial will follow at the Baker Township Cemetery, Quinter, KS. Visitation will be held at Schmitt Funeral Home, Quinter, KS, on May 31, 2019, from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Memorial contributions are suggested to The Quinter Church of the Brethren and Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. Donations to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 South Main, Quinter, KS

Police: Kan. man hospitalized with life-threatening wound after shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent a man to a hospital.

Police on the scene of the shooting investigation late Monday photo courtesy WIBW TV

Just after 9p.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to the intersection of SE 25th and SE Wisconsin on a report of a shooting, according to Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Officers located a male victim suffering from life threatening injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Witnesses report seeing a dark colored Buick leaving the scene at a high rate of speed from the area.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact Topeka Police.

Kansas inmate missing from work release captured at motel

George Young photo KDOC

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Kansas Department of Corrections agents, working in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service, apprehended minimum-custody inmate George Young at a motel on North Broadway Street in Wichita at approximately 11 a.m., Tuesday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Young, 51, who had been placed on escape status Sunday morning, was apprehended without incident. Currently, he is being held at the Sedgwick County Jail.

Young had been serving time as a parole violator with a new sentence in Sedgwick County. His most recent conviction was for theft in 2018.

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 236.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Authorities are searching for an inmate and asking the public for help locating him.

Just before 4a.m. on Sunday, 51-year-old George Young was declared an escape from the Wichita Work Release Facility. Young has been at Wichita Work Release since March 13, 2019. The facility houses 250 minimum-custody male offenders.

Young is a described as a black male, 6-foot tall, 200 pounds  with black hair. Young is currently serving time at Wichita Work Release Facility as a Parole Violator with a new sentence from Sedgwick County, Kansas. Young’s most recent criminal conviction was in 2018 for Theft.

Anyone with information on George Young can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 620-221-6660 ext: 56218, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-572-7463, or local law enforcement (911).

 

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