WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been sentenced to more than six years in state prison for abusing his 2-month-old son.

Prosecutors dropped an attempted murder charge against Thomas Avery Harper in exchange for his guilty plea to aggravated battery and child abuse.

Sedgwick County authorities say Harper was sentenced Friday to six years and four months in prison.

Harper was arrested in October after police responded to a child abuse call at Wesley Medical Center.

The child’s 20-year-old mother told police the child had several injuries when she returned home after leaving the baby in his father’s care.

Prosecutors said Harper tried to kill the baby by putting both hands around his neck and squeezing. They also alleged he caused the child bodily harm and “cruelly beat” him.

OFFICE OF GOV.

TOPEKA – This morning, through Executive Order 19-07, Governor Laura Kelly launched an initiative to make every Kansan count. She established the Kansas Complete Count Committee (CCC) to ensure that every Kansan is represented in the 2020 Census.

A CCC is a volunteer committee established by tribal, state and local governments and community leaders or organizations to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census.

“As Governor, I’m committed to ensuring the data we collect is as accurate as possible,” Kelly said. “The data collected in the Census informs how the federal government distributes funds to our state – through 55 different federal programs. And it’s these funds that help to pay for roads, schools, hospitals, emergency services and much more.”

Getting an accurate count in the Census is paramount. Census population totals determine the number of seats each state has in the United States House of Representatives. State totals are also used to redraw legislative and school districts.

For every person not counted in the Census, Kansas stands to lose $1,539 in federal funds per year for 10 years.

“The Census matters because it impacts everything from school lunches to libraries to wastewater systems,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “It’s vital to Kansas businesses and communities that we have a full and accurate count in 2020, and Commerce is honored to work hand in hand with the Committee and local partners to make sure that happens.”

Brian McClendon of Lawrence and Joyce Warshaw of Dodge City will serve as co-chairs of the Kansas Complete Count Committee. McClendon is a professor at the University of Kansas and the former Vice President of Google and Uber. Warshaw serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas League of Municipalities and is a Dodge City Commissioner.

CCCs already are operating in Sedgwick, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties, with others being formed across Kansas. Additional members of the Kansas CCC will be announced at a later date.

“Next year, on April 1, I encourage Kansans to respond to the Census, and be sure to count everyone living in your household,” Kelly said. “That includes children and newborn babies. Everyone needs to be counted.”

For more information, go to kansascommerce.gov/census.

McPHERSON – The 20th annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival at McPherson College is celebrating this year with a diverse field of unique vehicles and special guests.

The event is scheduled for 8 a.m.-3 p.m. May 4.

The student-run car show attracts rare vehicles from across the country. Last year more than 400 cars entered the show. This year’s event will again feature unique vehicles and special guests including Donald Osborne.

Prior to the car show, Osborne is scheduled to be the guest speaker at a dinner event May 3 that kicks off the car show weekend.

Osborne is a regular contributor on Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBS, and What’s My Car Worth for MotorTrend TV. He lends his considerable knowledge of car valuation to organizations such as the Historic Vehicle Association and RM Sotheby’s. Additionally, Osborne studied opera at Hartt College of Music in Hartford Connecticut, and is a talented singer.

Car enthusiasts are encouraged to participate in a cruise-in also on May 3 beginning at 6 p.m. on Main Street in McPherson. This event serves as a sneak peek at what will be on the show field and an opportunity for any car or motorcycle owner to display their rides in an informal show in downtown McPherson. There is no entry fee required for this fun event.

The Motoring Festival gets into high gear on May 4. Cars will be let onto the field at 8 a.m. and a day full of activities is planned including demonstrations, tours of the Automotive Restoration facility, a Model T build, McPherson College and McPherson High School Jazz Bands performances, and food trucks, up until 3 p.m. when awards will be announced.

A complimentary trolley will also be available for rides from campus to Main Street on Saturday.

This year’s show will feature an entry from Barn Find Hunter, Tom Cotter. Cotter digs through barns and garages in search of buried automotive treasures. He is the author of several popular Barn Find books and is a regular video contributor to Hagerty’s online media. He recently collaborated on a 1962 Ford Country Sedan station wagon with two McPherson College alumni, which will be part of this year’s show.

Other feature cars include a 1952 Ferrari 212, a 1914 Peugeot Indianapolis race car, and a 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda. The Motoring Festival brings a diverse field of vehicles together that includes cars, motorcycles, bicycles, tractors and even military vehicles. From the concours-quality vehicles to the unique and unusual to the student area that features works in progress, there is something for everybody.

— McPherson College