SHAWNEE COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating a pair of armed robberies at cash advance stores in Kansas and are offering a reward.

According to a media release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, they are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of whoever is involved in the robbery of the Advanced America stores on February 21, in the 2200 block of Louisiana Street., in Lawrence and on March 29,  at 1747 NW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka.

In both robberies, a suspect walked into the stores wearing a black zip-up sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head, approached the counter with a silver pistol pointed at the clerk and left with an undisclosed amount of money.

Anyone with information about either robbery is asked to call the FBI’s Topeka office 785-231-1700 or local law enforcement.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A south Kansas City school district says police are investigating a report that at least one student became ill after eating marijuana-laced brownies.

The Hickman Mills district said in a statement Monday the incident happened in late March at Hickman Mills Freshman Center.

Assistant principal John Miller said a student complained March 28 that she felt strange after eating a brownie given to her by another student.

Another student said she felt fine after taking a bite of the same brownie. And Miller said the girl accused of having the brownies denied they were laced with anything.

The school nurse were checked the students, who were then sent home. Miller reported the incident to the Missouri Division of Family Services.

By Paige Henderson
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — Jacquie Fernandez-Lenati, the great niece of prominent labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, gave a powerful speech Wednesday, April 3, about the importance of Hispanic civic engagement at the eighth annual Hispanic Day at the Capitol.

Hispanic Day at the Capitol is a free-to-the-public event hosted by the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission as a way to celebrate the additions and accomplishments made possible by the Hispanic and Latino communities in Kansas.

We had a great time today at Hispanic Day at the Capitol with Gov. @LauraKellyKS, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, and Acting Secretary of Labor Delia García. National Committeewoman Teresa Krusor also hosted the @KDPLatinoVote Caucus! pic.twitter.com/gNWblP1xEK

— Kansas Dems (@KansasDems) April 3, 2019

Dolores Huerta was a leader in the Chicano civil rights movement and a co-founder of the United Farm Workers labor union. Her great niece, Fernandez-Lenati, encouraged the audience to “show up” as Hispanic and Latino citizens.

“The power is in the person. It’s not in the title. It’s not in the position — it’s the person,” Fernandez-Lenati said. “I became an activist before I could even read.”

Fernandez-Lenati reinforced the importance of voting and letting Latinx voices be heard.

“You don’t have to run for office to impact change,” Fernandez-Lenati said.

She also encouraged the Hispanic and Latino community to support other minorities, such as the LGBTQ and African American communities.

“When minorities join together, we become the majority,” Fernandez-Lenati said.

Other prominent speakers included Acting Secretary for the Kansas Department of Labor Delia Garcia, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla and Evergy CEO Terry Bassham.

Richard Martinez, the interim executive director of the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, took time to recognize each speaker and reinforced the importance of Fernandez-Lenati’s words.

“You have to be confident and know that you have a place at the table,” Martinez said.

The Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission was established in 1975 in the effort to eliminate official neglect and provide opportunities for Hispanic advancement in Kansas.

“At the end of the day, we have more in common than not,” Fernandez-Lenati said. “We have to shift our thinking to the next level.”

Paige Henderson is a University of Kansas senior from Lenexa majoring in journalism.

MCPHERSON, Kan. (AP) — Charges have been dismissed against a 27-year-old man accused in an April 2017 death of a central Kansas man.

First-degree murder and other charges against Travis Ryan Belt were dismissed Friday without prejudice, which means charges could be filed again.

Belt, of Little River is charged in the death of 58-year-old Steven Carlson of McPherson. Carlson was found dead in his home in April 2017. The dismissal will allow further testing of DNA found at the scene.

Prosecutors said Belt used Carlson’s truck to shoplift at a Walmart the day before Carlson’s body was found.

Belt remains incarcerated in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility on charges stemming from unrelated cases.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A horse whose dismembered remains were found in a Kansas City park was a family pet that was pregnant.

Miguel Valdez told WDAF-TV that breaking the news to his children was difficult. But he said it was equally disturbing to go to animal control and identify the mare, named Senaida, which the family had owned for nine years. He says he’s “upset and angry.” The horse was at a friend’s farm in Kansas City, Kansas, when it went missing.

A man playing disc golf found the animal’s remains a week ago in Kessler Park. Police there say the horse appeared to have been prepared for consumption. After the meat was removed, the carcass was placed in a barrel and dumped in the park.

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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Animal control officers in Kansas City are investigating how the dismembered remains of a horse ended up in a city park.

A man playing disc golf found the remains Monday evening in Kessler Park.

Police spokesman Capt. Tim Hernandez says the horse appeared to have been prepared for consumption. After the meat was removed, the carcass was placed in a barrel and dumped in the park.

The horse’s head, hooves, legs, entrails, ribs and lungs were scattered in the area.

Hernandez said in a news release that a veterinarian will determine the time and cause of the horse’s death.

Animal control will lead the investigation unless it is determined the horse was stolen.

By DAN MARGOLIES 

Kansas will have to cough up more than $168,000 in legal fees over its attempt to prevent the publication of investigative files related to the murders portrayed in Truman’ Capote’s book “In Cold Blood.”

The book, which Capote called a nonfiction novel, brought decades of attention to the slayings of four members of the Clutter family in their Holcomb, Kansas, home in 1959.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend accident that injured a 15-year-old boy.

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 a 15-year-old boy in the street with critical injuries and a citizen rendering assistance.

The boy was transported to a local hospital and remains hospitalized Monday with critical injuries, 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 the 15-year-old 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. The other 15-year-old 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. Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.