JACKSON COUNTY — Authorities are investigating the cause of a fatal construction accident. Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, first responders were called to a home in the 500 Block of Iowa in Holton, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Two workers were injured when they were thrown from the basket of a lift on a mobile crane while working on the three-story home.

The men were transported to the hospital in Holton where one died, according to Morse. The other man had an arm amputation and was transported to the University of Kansas hospital.
Authorities are expected to release additional details on Thursday.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a series of armed robberies this week.

On Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department Violent Crimes Task Force and patrol officers worked jointly to locate the suspect identified in connection with the robberies at the Quick Trip, 1532 South Seneca, Pete’s Liquor, 322 West Harry, the ExpressMart and 565 South Market, according to Wichita Police Captain Brent Allred.

Just after 4:30p.m. Tuesday, officers found the suspect identified  as Willie Smith inside a residence in the 800 Block of South Topeka in Wichita, according to Allred.  A SWAT team and negotiators were called in to assist with the arrest due to safety concerns. After approximately a 3-hour standoff, police negotiators convinced Smith to exit the residence. He was arrested without incident and booked on three counts of aggravated robbery, according to Allred.

Smith has an arrest history for aggravated escape from custody, robbery, theft, flee and elude, according to Allred.  He was released from prison on Monday, October 8.  He was on parole but had not checked in with his parole officer, according to Allred.

Police will present the case against Smith to the U.S. Attorney’s office Wednesday or Thursday.

TOPEKA– A Kansas man was indicted in federal court Wednesday on a charge of robbing a Walgreens store, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Bill Oliver Chavez, 42, Topeka, Kan., is charged with one count of robbing a commercial business. The indictment alleges that on Sept. 13, 2018, Chavez robbed a Walgreens store at 3696 S.W. Topeka, Blvd.

Documents filed in court allege the lifted his shirt and showed the cashier what appeared to be the butt of a gun. The cashier emptied the register and the robber left the store with the money.

Surveillance video showed the robber was driving a four-door Nissan Maxima with a sunroof. An investigator used data from a license plate reader to help narrow the search for cars of the type in the video and owners who fit the description of the robber.

If convicted, Chavez faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accident involving two Kansas sheriff’s deputies.

On Wednesday morning, the Sedgwick County Sheriff Deputies were assisting the Wichita Police Department with an injury accident at Pawnee and Seneca in Wichita, according to Lt. Tim Myers.

The deputies had their vehicles positioned to assist with traffic control at the intersection.  Both law enforcement vehicles had the overhead lights activated.

Just before 8 a.m., a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Charles S. Grant, drove through the intersection at a high rate of speed and struck two civilian vehicles and two law enforcement vehicles.  There were no reported injuries from the accident.

Authorities arrested Grant and booked him in jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, possession of narcotics, and drug paraphernalia.

TOPEKA — With the statement, “It’s important to have leaders who understand the fundamental role business plays in the state’s economic health,” the Kansas Chamber of Commerce announced on social media Wednesday their support of republican candidate Kris Kobach for governor.

@KansasChamber endorses @DerekSchmidtKS for KS AG & @KrisKobach1787 for KS Governor. It’s important Kansans have elected leaders who truly understand the fundamental role business plays in the economic health of our state & who support a competitive business environment. #KSLEG

— The Kansas Chamber (@KansasChamber) October 17, 2018

The announcement is significant after Kobach promised Wednesday to pursue tougher work requirements for recipients of food stamps, cash assistance and state health coverage if he’s elected Kansas governor.

Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state, outlined a proposal Wednesday that builds on laws enacted in 2015 and 2016. Those laws require cash assistance and food stamp recipients to work at least 20 hours a week, be looking for work, or be enrolled in job training.

Kobach proposes to increase the work requirement to 30 hours a week for able-bodied adults without children. He wants to impose a 30-hour requirement in the Medicaid program providing health coverage for the needy.

He said such requirements will encourage people to work in a strong economy.

Democratic nominee Laura Kelly has sharply criticized the 2015 and 2016 laws.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.