LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — One of four women who tried to steal 26 pairs of blue jeans worth thousands of dollars has been sentenced to prison.

25-year-old Shaikeece Whisonant, of Grandview, Missouri, was sentenced Tuesday to nearly two years in prison for robbery.

She was one of four women who tried to steal the jeans, worth more than $4,200, from The Buckle in downtown Lawrence. They dropped 22 pairs and ultimately stole only four pairs, valued at $805.

Prosecutors say one of the women maced a store employee and Whisonant punched an employee in the head.

Whisonant, who has three small children, is currently serving a prison sentence for a Johnson County theft conviction. Prosecutors say she 18 prior convictions, mostly misdemeanor theft and traffic cases.

___

By SCOTT CANON

Kansas, a state that went for President Donald Trump by 20 points two years ago, on Tuesday turned one of its four Republican seats in Congress to Democrat.

Democratic newcomer Sharice Davids topped incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder in his quest for a fifth term. She beat the Kansas City-area 3rd Congressional District by roughly 9 percentage points.

Another political newcomer, Steve Watkins, was elected to replace fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins in the 2nd Congressional District that covers most of the eastern third of the state. He edged out Democrat and former Kansas House leader Paul Davis.

In the Wichita area, incumbent Republican Rep. Ron Estes won re-election over attorney James Thompson, the same Democrat he beat in a special election last year.

And Republican U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall won another term in the sprawling western Kansas 1st Congressional District, again beating perennial opponent Democrat Alan LaPolice.

Davids became one of the few Native Americans, and perhaps the first American Indian woman, elected to Congress.

3rd District

Davids and Yoder clashed over immigration, as much as anything .

Davids was criticized early in the contest for a podcast appearance where she seemed to call for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She later walked that back, insisting only that the agency needed reform.

Likewise, Yoder vastly overstated the number of immigrants filing false claims in seeking asylum. He also waffled at times on various immigration issues — at one point this year siding with Democrats on asylum issues, then later joining ranks with the Trump administration.

The two also differed sharply on health care issues. Yoder voted with other Republicans time and again in opposition to the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. For a time, that served him well in his Republican-leaning district. But after Trump took office, Obamacare became increasingly popular. Davids made it a centerpiece of her campaign.

At the Davids party, the room was boisterous when the cable networks began calling the race for her, another seat shifting to Democrats in their hopes of wresting control of the House from Republicans. They did.

“We have a chance to re-set expectations when people look at Kansas,” Davids said to a room full of cheering supporters. “I knew we could do better, and we just did.”

This Kansas district — a mix of largely white and wealthy Johnson County and more diverse and less prosperous Wyandotte County — sent a one-time mixed martial arts fighter and openly lesbian attorney to Washington.

“From the beginning,” Davids told supporters Tuesday night,  “this campaign has been built on bringing new leaders to the table and new voices to the table.”

Across town, the Yoder party began to thin out early, many supporters uninspired by never-say-die backers of the incumbent and a band playing “Lukenbach, Texas.” Yoder had won the seat four times, always by fairly comfortable margins.

Yoder wished Davids good luck and called for unity but said the raise-money-and-run-again merry-go-round of American politics is a problem.

“This perpetual campaign cycle must close,” he said.

The district is again returning to Democratic hands. Dennis Moore served several terms before retiring amid mounting health problems and his wife later lost to Yoder.

2nd District

Watkins emerged from a crowded and bruising primary, where his opponents directed criticism at him that was uncharacteristic of attacks within a party.

But he brought an impressive resume to the race. Watkins is a West Point graduate and combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. His campaign stumbled in the general election when reporters discovered that he exaggerated, or invented, business and philanthropic accomplishments.

Davis appeared to be a formidable opponent. While he’d lost a bid for governor in 2014, he won within the 2nd District. But that was a race for state office, where Kansans are far more willing to vote for Democrats. In federal races, Republicans tend to enjoy an advantage.

Watkins gave the usual round of thanks for family and campaign workers, but the congressman-elect also mentioned those he’d known in the military academy and in combat. They, he suggested, would appreciate another victory in life.

“I’ve lived to fight another day,” he said.

Davis said Tuesday’s loss marked the end of his political career. He chose to look at Kelly’s victory as the silver lining to his cloudy day.

“We have something to celebrate tonight,” he said. “It’s time for me to turn a page in the next chapter of my life. But I’m not going to back away from the things that I believe in.”

Brian Grimmett, Stephen Koranda, Sam Zeff, Nomin Ujiyediin and Frank Morris contributed to this article.

Scott Canon is digital editor of the Kansas News Service. You can reach him on Twitter @ScottCanon.

SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, police responded to a shooting at a residence in the 2200 block of south Anna in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, police contacted 47-year-old Reginald Griffith of Wichita who had a single gunshot wound to his upper right leg. Griffith was transported to an area hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threating injuries. Griffith was treated and released from the hospital. Officers also contacted a 28-year-old male in the mobile home park armed with a handgun.

The investigation revealed Griffith had physically battered the man, his roommate, and attempted to take the gun from him. The male fired one shot, striking Griffith.

Griffith was booked into jail on charges of aggravated robbery and domestic battery.

Results of the investigation will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office, according to Davidson.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 21-year-old Topeka driver who hit a pedestrian and dragged her under an SUV, was sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for a hit-and-run that killed another woman.

Alexia Nolte was sentenced Wednesday for second-degree murder, aggravated assault and failure to stop at an accident.

Nolte struck 25-year-old Robin Kuebler on April 3 in Topeka. Kuebler died at the scene.

Nolte received the highest sentences possible for each conviction. Before the convictions, Nolte didn’t have a criminal history.

A witness at a preliminary hearing in May said Nolte struck Kuebler, took aim and drove over her. The witness said Nolte’s vehicle had ample room to go around Kuebler.

Jordan Green, Kuebler’s fiancee, said he and Nolte exchanged words before Kuebler was struck.

STEVENS COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, have made an arrest connected to the murder of a 2-year-old boy.

Just after 4 p.m. Tuesday, the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office received a call which caused them concern for the welfare of a child residing at 2046 Road Y in Moscow, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.  

Upon arrival at the residence, deputies questioned the homeowner, 34-year-old Mikhail Lahey, Sr. Then, they discovered a deceased male child in the home, who was identified as 2-year-old Mikhail Lahey, Jr.

Deputies detained Mikhail Lahey, Sr. at the scene and questioned him. Just after 11:30p.m. he was booked into the Stevens County Jail for first-degree murder.

Authorities have not released details on the cause of death, Lahey’s bond or when he will make a first court appearance.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – Animal control workers who were called to an east Kansas City home encountered Catfish, a 6-foot alligator that its owner said is as “gentle as a kitten.”

Eventually, a specialist was called to remove the 150-pound alligator. Two boa constrictors and a rabbit also were taken from the home.

The Kansas City Star reports the tenant, Sean Casey, said he owned the alligator for four years and called him “a big cuddly lizard.”

John Baccala, spokesman for the city’s Neighborhood and Housing Services department, says Kansas City does not allow homeowners to have alligators.

None of the four workers who removed the alligator was injured.

Catfish will be housed at the Monkey Island Rescue and Sanctuary in Greenwood for now. The boa and rabbit were taken to an animal shelter.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of vandalism and have 

arrested a 16-year-old boy, according to officer Charley Davidson. He was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on charges of auto theft, destruction to property, attempted burglary, criminal possession of a firearm by a juvenile and intimidation in reference to the destruction to property cases at North High School, 1437 N. Rochester and P4 Firearms, 1556 N. Broadway in Wichita.  Police will present the case to the district attorney.

——–

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two reports of vandalism.

Just before 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an unknown accident call at North High School, 1437 N. Rochester in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. 

Police located damage to gym doors at the school and to a City of Wichita fire hydrant on the school’s property.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., Officers responded to a burglary call at P4 Firearms, 1556 N. Broadway.  Upon arrival, Officers located damage to the front doors of the business.

 The investigation has revealed, overnight two unknown suspects used a blue Ford Van and a tow rope at P4 Firearms attempting to force open the front doors, causing damage.  The same blue Ford Van was then driven onto the North High school’s property and backed into the gym doors causing damage to the doors and building.  The suspect also struck a fire hydrant. 

 The blue van was located unoccupied in the 1400 block of north Emporia, and determined to have been stolen.  There was no loss reported from either location. 

 There were no injuries reported, according to Davidson. Anyone with information is asked to call police.