SEDGWICK COUNTY— Wichita police say a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and child abuse after the oldest of nine children went to a police station to report the alleged abuse.
McFadden -photo KDOC
Officer Charley Davidson said Monday a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape of a child under 13, child abuse and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
The man identified as Eric Eugene McFadden, according to the Sedgwick County booking report was arrested Friday afternoon, about an hour after the 13-year-old boy reported he and two other children had been sexually assaulted. The man was the boyfriend of the children’s mother.
The nine children have been placed in police protective custody. They range in age from an infant to the 13-year-old.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An investigative report says a police officer who shot an unarmed Kansas man while responding to a hoax emergency thought the victim was reaching for a gun, although officers closer to the home held their fire.
Police body camera images of The December 28, fatal response to a hoax call -courtesy Wichita Police
District Attorney Marc Bennett released the 42-page report after announcing last week that the unnamed officer wouldn’t face criminal charges in the Dec. 28 killing of 28-year-old Andrew Finch. A California man is charged with making a fake call that appeared to come from Finch’s address. The caller reported that he’d shot his father in the head and was holding hostages.
Before Finch opened the door, officers noticed a silhouette in the home. One officer said it looked like the person was possibly giving CPR to a wounded person.
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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The mother of a 3-year-old Kansas boy whose body was found encased in concrete last year says her boyfriend killed her son and that she was in the home when it happened.
Miller-photo Sedgwick Co.
Miranda Miller testified Monday in a preliminary hearing for Stephen Bodine, who is charged with first-degree felony murder in the death of Evan Brewer of Wichita.
Miller also is charged with first-degree murder in the boy’s death. She waived her preliminary hearing earlier Monday and pleaded not guilty.
Bodine-photo Sedgwick Co.
During Bodine’s hearing, prosecutors played audio and video recordings from the couple’s home. Bodine could be heard yelling at Evan, who was sometimes crying or screaming. Video screenshots showed Evan naked with what a Wichita police detective said was a belt or collar around his neck.
Being the incumbent may give Jeff Colyer a leg up in the Republican race for governor, but it also makes him a target.
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, left, faced off in a Republican governor candidate’s forum with Gov. Jeff Colyer, above, and Ken Selzer, the state insurance commissioner. SCREENGRAB / KANSAS REPUBLICAN PARTY FACEBOOK PAGE
His chief rivals, Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer, used a forum sponsored by the Kansas Republican Party In Atchison to characterize Colyer as a poor manager and weak leader on conservative causes.
“We need a governor who is going to seize the conservative flag and march into battle with it,” Kobach said in the Friday night event.
Kobach continued to call himself a “full-throttled”conservative and criticized Colyer for supporting a school funding bill backed mainly by moderate Republicans and Democrats.
“That $500 million bill should not have been passed and should not be signed,” Kobach said, insisting it can’t be funded without a tax increase.
“That bill is a house of cards,” he said.
Colyer hailed the bill as a good compromise. He said it increased the state’s investment in education while holding schools more accountable for improving student performance.
“I am proudly going to sign a bill that puts more money into the classroom and actually makes sure that we have outcomes,” Colyer said.
If elected, Kobach said, he would assign every Kansas school a grade based on student performance. Students attending failing schools would receive state vouchers so they could transfer to the public or private school of their choice, he said.
All three candidates expressed support for a proposed constitutional amendment that would remove the Kansas Supreme Court from the funding debate.
Kobach said it’s time that lawmakers and the executive branch “stop getting rolled” by the Supreme Court.
The school funding debate has spanned the terms of 10 governors, Colyer said, and “it’s my goal to be the last governor under this litigation.”
But heading into the final week of the legislative session, the amendment appears a longshot to pass. Two-thirds of House and Senate members would have to vote to place it on the November ballot.
Colyer attempted to shore up his conservative credentials by referring several times to his stint as a White House fellow during the Reagan administration.
“I learned about good Republican leadership from Ronald Reagan,” he said in his opening statement.
He also addressed an abortion case pending before the Kansas Supreme Court that could decide whether the right to an abortion is protected by the state’s constitution.
“Does anybody in this room believe that the 1859 Kansas Constitution had a right to a ‘dismemberment abortion?’”Colyer asked, prompting a chorus of “no” from many in the audience.
“I will only select judges to the Kansas Supreme Court who will interpret the Kansas Constitution as written,” he said.
Colyer, a physician, said the privatization of Medicaid that he led as former Gov. Sam Brownback’s lieutenant governor has substantially reduced costs while producing better health outcomes.
Selzer said the rocky transition to managed care shouldn’t be touted as a success story.
“We implemented a new Medicaid program and we didn’t manage it,” Selzer said.
That KanCare program has draw frequent complaints from both providers and Medicaid patients about increased red tape and reduced services.
Selzer, a certified public accountant, said he would use his business background to improve the efficiency of state government. He said years of mismanagement have resulted in a lack of innovation and investment across state government, from education to economic development and infrastructure.
“This state has been poorly managed,” he said. “We’re going to fix it all.”
Jim Barnett, a former state senator, was not included in the GOP-run event because he refused to sign party debate rules. That unwillingness to promise no attacks on the opposition also kept him out of a Wichita debate in February.
Jim McLean is managing director of the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.
Regulators respond to a string of more than a dozen earthquakes in northwestern Oklahoma last week by placing limits on one oil and gas producer’s saltwater disposal. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission directed operator M. M. Energy to reduce disposal volumes from 17-thousand to five thousand barrels per day at a disposal well in Garfield County, Oklahoma. The commission called this an “ongoing situation” and said further actions are possible. The first quake occurred on Saturday (4/7), registering at magnitude 4.6, and was followed by several others, including a 4.5 temblor near Perry, Oklahoma early the following Monday (4/9), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quakes were felt across parts of southern Kansas and as far north as Great Bend.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported nine active drilling rigs in eastern Kansas for the week, which is up two, and 31 west of Wichita, up one. Operators were moving in completion tools at two sites in Barton County, five in Ellis County and three in Stafford County. Baker Hughes on Friday reported 1008 active drilling rigs coast to coast, up seven oil rigs including five in Oklahoma and Texas. The total reflects a drop of two rigs exploring for natural gas. The rig count across Canada was 102, down nine rigs.
Operators filed 13 new permits for drilling at new locations across the state last week, six east of Wichita and seven in western Kansas, for a year-to-date total of 428 permits. There’s one new permit on file in Barton County and one in Ellis County.
Independent Oil & Gas Service reported 31 new well completions for the week, including 15 east of Wichita and 16 in western Kansas. Barton County notched two new completed wells according to the latest numbers. That’s 447 new well completions so far this year.
The first quarter of 2018 marked some slight improvements over the last couple of years in the Kansas oil patch, but the state is still well behind the huge numbers posted three years ago. Independent Oil & Gas Service reports 402 total completions for the first quarter, which is slightly higher than last year (349) and the year before (392). But the total is less than one-third of the 1,394 wells completed during the first three months of 2015.
Barton County operators completed four oil and gas wells in March and 12 during the first quarter of 2018. Ellis County reported three in April and 12 so far this year. Russell County reports three so far this year, two in March. Stafford County notched ten completions during the first three months of the year after adding four in March.
More than one in every four newly-completed oil and gas wells in western Kansas so far this year have failed to produce pay dirt. Out of 91 completions west of Wichita in March, 24 were dry holes. That’s 54 dry holes out of 214 total completions for the first quarter of 2018.
Operators last month filed 144 permits for drilling at new locations the state, bringing the total to 396 year-to-date. The quarterly total is slightly higher than last year (383), more than double the year before (192), but less than two-thirds of the first-quarter total from 2015 (669).
The Kansas Geological Society met in March to recognize and name six new oil fields across the state. That brings to 12 the total of new pool and infield wildcat discoveries so far this year.
The government reports US crude inventories grew by 3.3 million barrels last week. Gasoline inventories increased by half a million barrels. The US Energy Information Administration said imports were up 752,000 barrels per day over the prior week, but the four-week average is less than the same period last year.
Annual natural gas production in the U.S. is on pace to break records in 2018 and 2019, according to the monthly short-term energy outlook from EIA. Natural gas consumption is expected to rise over the next two years, with power generation the leading driver.
China’s Sinopec, Asia’s largest refiner, plans to cut Saudi crude oil imports loading in May by 40 percent after Saudi Aramco set higher-than-expected prices. Two refineries in northern Asia told CNBC they each planned to reduce May orders from Saudi Arabia by 10 percent.
There are currently a slew of job openings in the oil patch of North Dakota, but you may want to investigate housing before you apply. The Williston area, which is in the heart of the Bakken play, is in the midst of a single-family housing shortage. The Bismarck Tribune reports real-estate agents sold 110 homes during the first quarter of this year, the most ever for a three month period in the area. Officials are still unsure how new employees might get housing through the summer. State officials say the state has a “huge, huge need” for personnel for fracking, driving, drone and pipeline operations, as well as health-care professionals and teachers. The number of job openings for March reached its highest level since 2015. This is not the first time officials in North Dakota have faced this problem. Back in 2012, as the Bakken play was first bearing fruit, officials wrestled with increased demand for everything from new roads and housing to law enforcement and sewer service.
BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges.
Ray-photo Barton Co.
Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday, a Barton County Deputy stopped a 1998 Jeep Cherokee in the 900 block of North US 281 highway, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.
The deputy noted the male passenger in the vehicle was Michael Moore of Great Bend and was wanted on an outstanding warrant from The Kansas Department of Corrections.
Moore exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. As he was fleeing Moore was observed to be throwing items to the ground as he ran, according to Bellendir.
The items were found to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. The deputy took 27-year-old Moore into custody.
Moore- photo Barton Co.
He was booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony obstruction and a no bond warrant from the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The deputy also arrested the driver Mark Ray, 30 of Great Bend.
Ray was charged with possession of methamphetamine and driving while suspended. Ray posted a $10,000 bond.
Moore remains in jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond as well as the no bond warrant from KDOC.
On April 7, police arrested Ray, Moore and a woman in connection with a robbery at Dunham Sports in Hutchinson. Ray made a court appearance in the case Friday. Moore skipped the court appearance.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Wyandotte County District Attorney’s Office says it will not file charges against a member of the Kansas Board of Regents who was arrested in a domestic battery case.
Brandau-Murguia -photo Wyandotte Co.
A spokesman for District Attorney Mark Dupree says an investigation into allegations against Ann Brandau-Murguia resulted in the decision not to charge her. Brandau-Murguia is also a member of the Unified Government in Wyandotte County and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Board of Trustees.
She was arrested Feb. 16 on suspicion of domestic battery. She said at the time that the dispute happened after a confrontation between her and a long-time friend resulted in an argument and physical contact.
Her attorneys, Robin Fowler and Tricia Bath, said Monday Brandau-Murguia would not comment further on the issue.
The Ellis County Commission will consider approving changes to the county zoning and subdivision regulations at Monday’s meeting.
The Ellis County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing and voted on proposed changes at its March 28 meeting.
One of the major additions was regulations on fences on properties less than 40 acres.
Among the additions is a permit would be required to build, replace or extend a fence or wall. All fences are also limited to 6 feet in height unless it is in the front yard, which is limited to 48 inches.
Those changes do not affect agricultural districts.
ELLIS – Ellis city council members will consider approving the improvements on Washington Street during their meeting tonight. They’ll also discuss the use of the city campground for local organizations.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
AGENDA
Monday, April 16, 2018
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ELLIS
City Hall – Council Meeting Room
BILLS ORDINANCE REVIEW WORK SESSION BEGINS AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL AND MEETING CALL TO ORDER AT 7:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 2, 2018
Bills Ordinance #2043
(Council will review for approval under one motion under the consent agenda. By majority vote of the governing body, any item may be removed from the consent agenda and considered separately)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
(Each speaker will be limited to five minutes. If several people from the group wish to speak on same subject, the group must appoint a spokesperson. ALL comments from public on agenda items must be during Public Comment. Once council begins their business meeting, no more comments from public will be allowed.)
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire Department Monthly Report – Chief Dustin Vine
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discuss Sidewalks on South Monroe Street
Discuss City Stockpile for Concrete and Asphalt
Consider Approval of Washington Street Improvements
NEW BUSINESS
Consider Ratification of Invoices for Property Demolition
Consider Approval of Purchase of Chlorine for Water Treatment Plant
Consider Authorization for Consultant of Record Agreement
Discuss Use of Campgrounds for Local Organizations
GREAT BEND — Until Monday, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir remained silent concerning a Class A misdemeanor charge issued by the Barton County Attorney’s Office.
Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir
On Nov. 1, the county attorney issued a summons for Bellendir to appear in court following an investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
According to court records, Bellendir is accused of “ill-treating a man in handcuffs by speaking to him in a vulgar, insulting, rude or angry manner” while serving an arrest warrant on Aug. 10 in Great Bend.
Bellendir is also accused of striking the confined man — Nathan Manley, Ellinwood — on the side of his head.
Manley has previous convictions for drugs and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Following Monday’s Barton County Commission meeting, Bellendir addressed commissioners and the media concerning the charges and announced he had turned down a plea bargain agreement offered by the county attorney’s office.
“We will continue to do what we do, and I’m going to continue to be sheriff as long as I can,” Bellendir said. “They may get me in the end, but I’ve decided to fight and stand up for my office. I’m not going to tolerate misrepresentation from another elected official’s office that I believe are untrue.
“The misdemeanor charge is the least of my concern. The action that might be taken by Kansas C-Post that holds law enforcement certification has given me no indication of what they intend to do.”
C-Post is the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, which reviews certification by Kansas Law Enforcement Officers. Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor, who brought charges against the sheriff, is a voting member on the C-Post’s 12-member board.
Bellendir’s trial is currently set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 26, in Barton County District Court.
SEDGWICK COUNTY ‑ A discarded cigarette is blamed for a fire at an apartment building on Sunday
Sunday apartment building fire -photo courtesy KAKE
Just after 3:30p.m., fire crews responded to the Aspen Park Apartments, 8405 West Central in Wichita, according to Captain Kelly Zane with the Wichita Fire Department.
Someone discarded a cigarette on a 2nd story deck, according to Zane.
The fire caused $1.5 million dollars in damage. Sixteen apartments are uninhabitable. Authorities reported no injuries.
