HARPER COUNTY- A Kansas man died in an accident just after 10a.m. on New Year’s Day in Harper County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Ford Fusion driven by Dean Mark Melton, 29, Wichita, was westbound on Kansas Highway 2 twelve miles west of Anthony.
For an unknown reason the Ford went left of center and collided with a 2008 Buick Enclave driven by Cynthia J. Archuleta, 60, of Kiowa.
Melton, Archuleta and a passenger in the Buick Danny Dean Archuleta, 60, Kiowa, were transported to Kiowa Hospital were Melton died.
Melton was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The National Weather Service says 2016 was one of the wettest and warmest in Wichita’s history.
The Wichita Eagle reports Wichita got 50.6 inches of rain last year, the second-most precipitation in the city since records began in 1888. The highest amount was in 2008, when 53.82 inches of rain fell.
The only other year on record that Wichita received at least 50 inches was 1951, when it had 50.48 inches of rain.
How did Kansas fair with precipitation in 2016? Here are the totals and how it compares to normal annual precipitation #kswxpic.twitter.com/dsv549foTe
The city’s average temperature last year was 60.6 degrees, also the second-highest average yearly temp on record. The highest average temp was 61.4 in 2012. And 1954’s 60.1 was the only other time the average temperature was above 60.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy says the increasing use of drones is helping it work faster, save money and improve safety for its employees.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2iAgWiu ) that the company sends drones to inspect equipment, navigate remote areas and manage some emergency situations.LThe state’s largest utility worked with Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus to offer an unmanned aircraft systems program and now has one of the nation’s largest enclosed drone flight facilities on the Salina campus.
Westar recently began deploying drones commercially.
Jason Klenklen, supervisor of transmission maintenance, says the drones currently are used primarily in rural areas to inspect transmission lines. Drones also will be used to inspect boilers, which will allow employees to see the inside of boilers while being able to stay outside.
TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has announced he has accepted the invitation of Speaker-elect of the Kansas House of Representatives Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe) to deliver his 2017 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature at 5:00 p.m. Tue., Jan. 10, 2017 in the Hall of Representatives.
In accordance with Section 5 of Article 1 of the Kansas Constitution, the Governor provides to the Legislature information on the condition of the State.
The State of the State address will be live-streamed on www.governor.ks.gov.
This will be the 135th State of the State address.
RENO COUNTY– A Kansas man and woman arrested Wednesday after they allegedly stole a pickup and then crashed it in Reno county were both before a judge on Thursday.
Currie-photo KDOC
Alex Currie, 19, and Heather O’Gorman, 24, both of Hutchinson were allegedly seen near the vehicle just before it was stolen.
They both face burglary and theft charges.
Just after 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Reno County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to 11713 S Victory Road after report of a suspicious vehicle.
The description matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen just after 5:30 a.m. at residence in the 1500 block of West 12th Street in Hutchinson.
Deputies along with a trooper from the Kansas Highway Patrol were able to locate the vehicle driving westbound on Illinois Street from Yoder Road.
The vehicle went north on Halstead as deputies were still trying to get catch up with the vehicle it turned east on Blanchard at a high rate of speed.
Stolen vehicle involved in a Wednesday morning accident in Reno County-photo courtesy KWCH
The driver lost control on the curve and left the roadway to the right, entering the ditch, and overturning onto its top.
The driver 19-year-old Alex Currie reported no injuries and was taken into custody by the Hutchinson Police Department. 24-year-old Heather O’Gorman reported minor injuries and was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment, then taken to jail. Both face potential charges of felony theft and burglary.
Neither occupant was wearing their seat-belt at the time of the accident. Airbags did not deploy.
The stolen vehicle is being investigated by the Hutchinson Police Department. The accident is being investigated by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office.
The pickup was reported stolen from a residence in the 1500 block of West 12th, around 5:40 a.m.
Currie while before a judge was also read charges in another case from March.
In that case, he’s charged with forgery, auto burglary, theft and criminal damage.
He allegedly broke a drivers side window belonging to a Hutchinson woman, stole a wallet then allegedly endorsed a $600.00 money gram belonging to the victim.
The state has also filed community corrections violations against both. Currie has been on Community Corrections for theft and drug charges.
His bond now totals $24,000.
O’Gorman is also facing probation violations and is scheduled to appear before Judge Joe McCarville on Friday.
Both will be back in court on the new case on January 5.
PRATT – Seeing a wild bald eagle is always a thrill and thanks to conservation efforts, our nation’s symbol is more common than ever. However, if you want to optimize your viewing opportunities and learn more about eagles and other birds of prey, plan to attend Eagle Day at Milford Reservoir on Jan. 14, 2017. This is the best time of year to see bald eagles in Kansas, when large numbers of these amazing birds congregate around lakes and wetlands.
Eagle Day will feature a series of educational programs at the Milford Nature Center: “Raptors” at 9:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.; “Owls” at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; “Nesting Eagles In Kansas” at 10:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and “Birds Of Prey” at 3:15 p.m. Live eagle programs will be conducted at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Starbird Classroom. The Kids’ Tent will have activities and crafts for youngsters, and all visitors will be treated to hot chocolate and popcorn courtesy of the Milford Friends.
Bus tours to view wild eagles will leave the nature center every half-hour, beginning at 9 a.m. and continue through 2 p.m. There is no charge to attend any of the programs and the bus tours are free, as well, thanks to B&B Busing. Entrance to Milford State Park is also free on January 14, so Daily Vehicle permits are not required. For more information, contact the Milford Nature Center, (785) 238-5323 or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Milford Office, (785) 238-5714.
Other eagle day events will occur at various locations during the month of January, including the Kaw Valley Eagle Days at Lawrence Free State High School, Jan. 21, 2017. Go to www.kawvalleyeaglesday.com for more information. And be on the lookout for notices of other eagle day events at lakes near you.
PRATT – Few outdoor activities are as enjoyable as camping, and Kansas state parks take out the guesswork of the best places to go! From deluxe cabins that are as affordable as they are fun, to campsites with hookups that make unwinding and unplugging a breeze, Kansas state parks have it all. Beginning in 2017, park goers can enjoy staying at any of Kansas’ 26 state parks at the following rates:
Daily Camping Permit – $9.00, plus utilities
14-day Camping Permit – $112.50
Annual Camping Permit – $202.50 (if purchased before April 1)
Annual Camping Permit – $252.50 (if purchased on April 1 or after)
*NEW THIS YEAR: Unconventional Vehicle Permit (golf carts and UTVs) – $52.50
A $5 Daily Vehicle Permit is required for all park visitors and a $3 processing fee is assessed for all overnight stays. Planning on an extended trip, or visiting more than one Kansas state park next year? Purchase a $25.00 Annual Vehicle Permit and enter as many Kansas state parks as often as you like under just one permit. Kansas motor vehicle owners can purchase an annual Kansas State Parks Passport at a discounted rate of $15.50 during their yearly vehicle registration. Simply ask for the Kansas State Park Passport at any motor vehicle registration office, or select the Park Passport check box online.
To plan your next camping adventure, visit ksoutdoors.com/State-Parks, contact the nearest KDWPT office, or consult the 2016 Kansas State Parks Guide.
STAFFORD COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before midnight on Saturday in Stafford County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Ford Expedition driven by Hans J. Fritzemeier, 30, St. John, was southbound in the 500 block of SE 30th Road five miles south of U.S. 50 and three miles east of U.S. 281.
The driver lost control of the SUV when he swerved to miss a deer.
The SUV entered east ditch and rolled.
Fritzemeier was transported to the hospital in Pratt. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a shooting and have made an arrest.
Just after 7 a.m. on Saturday, police were dispatched to a hospital in Topeka to meet with a 34-year-old shooting victim, according to a media release.
The victim suffered non-life threatening wounds during an altercation between individuals who knew each other at a residence in the 2600 Block of SE Massachusetts in Topeka.
Police located those involved at a residence in the 3300 Block of SW 47th in Topeka. Although they initially refused to cooperate, police were able to take several individuals in for questioning and arrested Randall Scott Hogue, 30, Topeka, for aggravated battery.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge has ordered a halt to another Obama administration effort to strengthen transgender rights, this time over health rules that social conservatives say could force doctors to violate their religious beliefs.
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor on Saturday granted a temporary injunction that stops federal health officials from enforcing rules that are intended to ban discrimination by doctors and hospitals against transgender persons.
O’Connor wrote in a 46-page ruling that the rules “likely violate” the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
O’Connor is the same judge who sided with Republican-controlled states earlier this year over transgender protections in public schools sought by the Obama administration.
That lawsuit centered on a federal directive requiring schools to let transgender students use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — An independent state agency has more than quadrupled the number of law enforcement officer’s licenses it has revoked each year since 2011.
The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training has increased the number of actions it takes from about eight a year to about 35 a year.
The Wichita Eagle reports that last year the agency took action against one in about every 200 officers employed in the state. In one case, an officer issued a traffic ticket but then took it back after the offender contacted his wife about an affair the officer was having. In another, a sheriff was convicted of distributing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.
Officials say the increase in disciplinary actions can be in part attributed to more funding.
JACKSON COUNTY, MO -Law enforcement and officials from the FAA are investigating the cause of a small plane crash
Just after 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, emergency crews were dispatched to the area of NE Chipman Road and NE Douglas Street in Lee’s Summit after report of a plane crash, according to a media release.
Upon arrival officers located a white, single engine light aircraft that had come to rest in the parking lot of the park.
The pilot, the occupant of the aircraft, was extricated by emergency crews and transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The pilot had departed from Lee’s Summit Airport around 7:40 a.m. and reported trouble with the aircraft shortly after take off.
