WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The government’s latest Census of Agriculture for Kansas shows the number of farms in the state has dropped 5% from the count taken five years earlier.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Thursday that there were 58,569 farms in Kansas during 2017. They covered some 45.8 million acres, down 1% from the 2012 census. Farms comprise 87.5% of total land in Kansas.

Kansas farms averaged 781 acres, about 34 acres larger than when the agency counted five years ago.

Kansas producers sold $18.8 billion of agricultural products in 2017, up 2% from 2012. About 66% of those products came from livestock and 34% from crops.

Average net farm income was $49,291 in 2017, down 3% from 2012.

The government’s agricultural census is conducted every five years.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas has pulled the fossil of a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex from public view at its Natural History Museum after anger erupted when the fossil’s private owner listed it for sale for $2.95 million.

Alan Detrich, who isn’t a trained paleontologist, said he originally shared his rare fossil with the museum two years ago because “the public ought to get to see it.”

His eBay sales pitch for the fossil initially highlighted the fossil’s ties to the university, prompting the school to tweet that it’s not involved in the sale.

Are we selling fossils on eBay? NO. The baby #Trex temporarily on view to the public at #KUnhm is not accessioned to our collection & is privately owned. Research is currently ongoing on our own baby Trex, which is not on display at this time. 🦖

— KU Natural History (@kunhm) April 8, 2019

Detrich said he and his brother unearthed the 68-million-year-old bones from a 4-year-old T. rex in 2013 on property he leased to hunt for fossils near Jordan, Montana. To the “naysayers” from academia who complained about the university’s link with the for-sale specimen, Detrich says his message is “you’re welcome.”

“You’re welcome — for me to allow my dinosaur to be in the museum and to be able to show the people,” he said. “People have had the opportunity to actually see the baby T. rex.”

Leonard Krishtalka, museum director and KU professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, said in an internal memo that the “intent was to keep the specimen in the museum sphere to be enjoyed by visitors until it was sold to a museum.” Krishtalka said the listing’s references to the university made it appear the university was promoting the sale in violation of a formal contract approved by the university’s legal team. The museum learned this week that Alan Detrich had “abruptly” listed the specimen for sale on eBay without notifying the museum, Krishtalka said.

Besides pulling the display, the museum asked Detrich to remove all references to the university and other “misleading language and photos” from his eBay listing, the memo said.

Detrich, who also is known for making religious art out of dinosaur fossils, has long been a source of frustration to some in the scientific community. They think fossils should be uncovered by people with more training and then donated for scientific study. Detrich, meanwhile, insists fossil hunting is a risky, expensive business.

“Millionaires aren’t rich enough to buy these dinosaurs,” Detrich said. “I don’t have a problem with selling to billionaires, because they’ve got enough money to protect this fossil and take really good care of it . At some point, all these things end up in museums.”

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A 15-year-old boy injured in skateboard accident has died, according to Wichita Police officer Charley Davidson.

Just after 11:40a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call for Emergency Medical Services near the intersection of 9th and Christine, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, first responders found 15-year-old Samuel Harter in the street with critical injuries and a citizen rendering assistance.

Harter was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries and died Thursday, according to Davidson.

After speaking to multiple witnesses, investigators learned a 16-year-old was driving a Mazda 626 westbound on 9th Street and pulling Harter on a skateboard who was holding on through an open window on the passenger side. A second 15-year-old boy was holding onto the vehicle though an open window on the driver’s side.

The boy on the driver’s side was able to let go of the vehicle and safely stop his skateboard. Harter lost control of his skateboard, fell and struck his head on the ground. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Davidson.

Speed and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the incident, according to Davidson. The accident remains under investigation and police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for possible charges.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect after a Thursday morning chase.

Just before 2:30a.m., a Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a Chrysler Sebring for registration violations near U.S. 24 and N. Kansas Ave in Topeka, according to Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer.

The driver of the Sebring failed to stop for the deputy. The vehicle traveled briefly on streets in north Topeka before heading east on U.S. 24 and entered Jefferson County.

A Shawnee County Sheriff’s deputy successfully initiated a vehicle maneuver near U.S. 24 and NE Detlor Road to end the pursuit safely.

The Topeka Police Department assisted with the pursuit as well as the arrest of the driver Christopher J. Clay, 40, of Kansas City.

Deputies transported Clay to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections with requested charges that include DUI, Possession of Cocaine, Interference w/ LEO, 2 Warrants for Felony Probation Violations and
Various traffic violations, according to Stallbaumer.

 

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Prosecutors have dropped a driving under the influence charge against a Kansas City, Missouri, mayoral candidate who was arrested while sleeping in his car in Lawrence, Kansas, after a fundraiser.

Lucas praised Thursday’s decision in a news release. He says he made the “the responsible choice” in October when he decided that he shouldn’t drive back to Kansas City. He says he never moved his vehicle from the public spot where it was parked before his arrest .

Lucas is a law lecturer at the University of Kansas. He was elected in 2015 to the Kansas City council. He and fellow council member Jolie Justus were the top-two vote getters in this month’s mayoral primary. Voters will pick between them in the June 18 general election.