SEDGWICK COUNTY – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 11p.m. on Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Honda Civic driven by Thomas J. Bishop, 31, Newton, was northbound on Interstate 235 just north of 25th Street in Wichita.

The Honda crossed the centerline and struck a southbound 2003 Infinity driven by Brooke A. Vaneaton, 18, Park City.

A northbound 2006 Chevy Avalanche driven by D David Doleshal, 63, Wichita, then collided with the Honda.

Bishop was transported to St. Francis Medical Center.

Vaneaton, Doleshal and two passengers in the Infinity were not injured.

RENO COUNTY — For the second time this week, police in Hutchinson are investigating the robbery of a Dillon’s Store.

Just after 3p.m. on Friday, Reno County 911 reported a robbery at the East 4th Avenue Dillon’s in Hutchinson.

Police say that a man wearing a mask walked into the store and demanded money.

Officers say this robbery and the one at the Dillon’s on North Main in Hutchinson on Monday morning may be connected.

On Friday, some parents were called by local schools and asked if they wanted their children to walk home or be picked up because of the robbery.

During Monday’s robbery, a man, also wearing a Halloween mask, walked in and demanded money before attempting to flee on a bicycle. No arrests have been made in that case.

DOUGLAS COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in Douglas County are investigating a home-invasion robbery.

Two of three suspects, 20-year-old Antonio A. Esparza and 21-year-old Joshua H. Fairbanks are currently in custody, according to a media release.

Just before 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, officers with the Lawrence Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Ash Street in reference to a home invasion robbery that just occurred.

Officers learned that three suspects entered the residence, each armed with a firearm and demanded money from occupants.

A physical struggle ensued between the victims and the suspects.

During the struggle, one of the suspects was injured. All three suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.

Through the course of the investigation, Lawrence Police Detectives were able to identify two of the suspects as Esparza and Fairbanks.

Detectives are seeking the third suspect. Lawrence Police request that anyone who may have information related to this incident to please contact the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or the Douglas County Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline 785-843-TIPS (8477).

WASHINGTON (AP) — People are pledging lots of green to restore a pair of famous red slippers.

On Monday, the Smithsonian launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $300,000 to preserve its pair of the ruby slippers that whisked Dorothy back to Kansas at the end of “The Wizard of Oz.” By Friday morning, the campaign had already raised $239,000. More than 4,390 people had backed the project.  See more here.

The slippers have been one of the most beloved items at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History for more than 30 years. They were crafted almost 80 years ago by the MGM Studios prop department. Like most movie props, they weren’t built to last.

The Smithsonian wants to use the money toward a technologically advanced display case that will preserve them for future generations.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court has dismissed an attempted rape charge against a truck driver who was sentenced to death in 2004 for killing and decapitating a Wichita housekeeper.

The court ruled on Friday that 54-year-old Douglas Belt should not have been convicted of attempted rape because prosecutors used the same act to get a capital murder conviction.

Belt died in prison of natural causes in April. The court ruled on his appeal anyway because it had the potential to exonerate him on one or more convictions.

Belt was convicted of the 2002 slaying of 42-year-old Lucille Gallegos, whose headless body was found in an empty apartment at a Wichita complex where she worked.

Investigators called the killing one of most gruesome crimes in the city’s history.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 4p.m. on Friday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2004 Chevy Cavalier driven by Cantinia Marie Cannon, 19, Cherryvale, was northbound on highway 169 approaching a set of railroad tracks five miles south of Cherryvale.

The Chevy rear-ended a Hazmat tanker stopped at the railroad tracks as required by law.

Cannon was transported to Cherryvale Regional Medical Center. The tanker driver from Oklahoma was not injured.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HUTCHINSON – Attendance numbers for the 2016 Kansas State Fair were released Friday, and
they’re good.

Despite rainy weather that dampened several days of the 10-day fair, gate attendance reached 359,808. That’s the third highest in the fair’s 104-year history, according to a media release.

“The weather on the first Friday was less than desirable, but attendance was high over both weekends,” said general manager Susan Sankey. “Even the potential of rain can keep people away. We work to communicate the many alternate indoor venues and activities available before fairgoers make a change in plans.”

2015 was a record-breaking year for fair attendance with numbers at 369,322, beating the previous record set in 1995 at 361,647. Those years celebrated near-perfect weather throughout.

The Fair welcomed new schools and students with an increased focus on education components. “It was fun to watch the children’s excitement bloom as they experienced their first fair,” said Sankey. The increase in 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors and the birth of multiple sets of twin calves also helped entice the crowds.

Sankey accepted the position as general manager in November 2015, allowing ten months to learn the ropes and plan Kansas’ largest event. “The Kansas State Fair has a hard working board, staff and many volunteers who plan well in advance,” she said. “We started planning for next year’s fair before this year’s had ended. This approach matched with the outstanding support of our partners, sponsors, exhibitors and participants keeps the fair successful year after year.”

Mark your calendars for the 2017 Kansas State Fair, September 8-17 in Hutchinson.

 

RICE COUNTY – Investigators in Rice County have not determined the exact cause of a Wednesday morning house fire in Lyons.

Just after 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, a passerby noticed smoke coming from the residence at 416 South Douglas and called 911, according to Fire Chief Brad Reid.

“We discovered fire coming from the floor of the living room, backed the crew out and attacked from rear of the home,” he said.

The fire originated from a crawl space under the living room and may have been due to an electrical issue, according to Reid.

“The owners had recently done a lot of remodeling,” he said.

The Kansas Fire Marshal’s office assisted with the investigation.

The fire caused approximately $60K dollars in damage. There were no injuries.

MCPHERSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in McPherson County are investigating bank burglary and asking for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, McPherson Sheriff Deputies responded to the Roxbury Bank, 102 S. Main, in reference a burglar alarm.

Surveillance photos taken from the bank show the suspect inside the bank as well as the suspect vehicle involved in this case.

Anyone with information on who committed this or any other crime is asked to contact McPherson County Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 1-800-241-8118 or 620-241-1122. You can also text a tip by texting MPCS and then your tip to

274637 (CRIMES). Standard rates may apply. You maybe eligible for a cash reward for information leading to the solving of a crime.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on three men accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where Somali immigrants live in western Kansas (all times local):

2:10 p.m.

A Kansas man has waived a detention hearing and pleaded not guilty in what prosecutors say was a conspiracy by a militia group to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where 120 Somali immigrants live.

Gavin Wright’s decision means the 51-year-old from Liberal, Kansas, remains in federal custody pending trial. The hearing for another defendant is still on track.

Defense attorney Kari Schmidt told the court she and Wrignt have concerns about his safety if he’s released.

Prosecutors contend Wright and two other men arrested in the case pose a “substantial danger” to the community.

Wright and co-defendants Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction in the meatpacking town of Garden City.

Wright has no criminal history.

___

12:13 a.m.

Prosecutors say an anti-Muslim militia group in Kansas first came to the government’s attention when one member contacted FBI agents and became a confidential source.

The new details came in a government court filing in the case of three men accused of conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex where 120 Somali immigrants live in the western Kansas meatpacking town of Garden City.

Prosecutors say the men pose a “substantial danger” to the community and should stay jailed until trial.

Two are due in court Friday and the third on Monday.

Patrick Stein, Gavin Wright and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction. They were arrested in what the government calls a foiled plot to attack the apartment complex on Nov. 9.

ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the chemical spill at a plant in Atchison, Kansas, (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

At least 85 people sought medical attention after a chemical spill at a distilling plant that released a noxious cloud in northeast Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when two chemicals were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison. The department says people were allowed back into their homes after the cloud dissipated a few hours later.

Atchison Hospital spokeswoman T.C. Roberts says about 67 people sought care at the hospital’s emergency room for upper respiratory discomfort. Roberts says one person remained in intensive care Friday afternoon. About 18 others sought care at a hospital in nearby St. Joseph, Missouri.

MGP produces premium distilled spirits. It employs about 300 people at the Atchison plant, about 50 miles from Kansas City.

1:40 p.m.

More than 50 people sought medical attention after a chemical spill at a distilling plant that released a noxious cloud in northeast Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when two chemicals were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison. The department says people were allowed back into their homes after the cloud dissipated a few hours later.

Atchison Hospital spokeswoman T.C. Roberts says 52 people sought care at the hospital’s emergency room for upper respiratory discomfort. Roberts says one person remained in intensive care Friday afternoon. She says some were treated and released but did not know how many.

MGP produces premium distilled spirits. It employs about 300 people at the Atchison plant, about 50 miles from Kansas City.

___

11:50 a.m.

Authorities say it’s safe for residents to return home and for students to go back to school now that a noxious cloud that formed over their northeast Kansas community has dissipated.

The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison.

Emergency officials ordered the evacuation of schools and homes near the plant earlier Friday, but lifted the evacuation order when the chemical cloud cleared later in the morning.

MGP produces premium distilled spirits and employs about 300 people at the plant in Atchison, 50 miles northwest of Kansas City.

—

ATCHINSON COUNTY –Eighteen people including five city of Atchison employees are being treated for respiratory discomfort from Friday morning’s chemical spill at MGP Ingredients factory in downtown Atchison, according to City Manager Trey Cocking.

Just after 8a.m., several chemicals were inadvertently mixed and a large gas plume developed over the community,” he said during a morning news conference on social media.

The plume moved northwest of the community and was being monitored by the Kansas Highway Patrol, according to Cocking.

The Kansas Dept. of Transportation has closed U.S. Highways 59 and 73 and Kansas Highway 7 until further notification.

Benedictine College and Atchison Public Schools were evacuated and children were being transported to Walmart and Maur Hill Mount Academy. Students at Maur Hill are sheltering in place.

Residents were asked to avoid the area, to shelter in place or to seek shelter at the Atchison Event Center, Walmart, or South of town, according to a social media report from the city.

Others were asked to stay out of town.

Area hospitals were also placed on alert.

 

MGP is a leading supplier of premium-distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, according to the company web site. MGP is also a producer of alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced.

————

ATCHINSON COUNTY – First responders were on the scene of a chemical spill Friday morning at MGP Ingredients between 10th and 14th Street, south of Main Street in Atchison, Kansas.

The plume was reported moving north of the area, according to Atchison County Emergency Management.

Residents were asked to avoid the area, to shelter in place or to seek shelter at the Atchison Event Center, Walmart, or South of town, according to a social media report from the city.

Benedictine College and Atchison Public Schools were evacuated and children were being transported to Walmart and Maur Hill Mount Academy. Students at Maur Hill are sheltering in place.

ALERT: There has been an incident at MGP. Until further notice, close all your windows, turn off your air and furnaces, and stay indoors.

— City of Atchison (@CityofAtchison) October 21, 2016

 

Others were asked to stay out of town.

Area hospitals were also placed on alert.

MGP is a leading supplier of premium-distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, according to the company web site. MGP is also a producer of alcohol for use in both food and non-food applications. The company is headquartered in Atchison, Kansas, where distilled alcohol products and food ingredients are produced.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ highest court has upheld the death sentence of the first prisoner condemned in the state in more than three decades.

The Kansas Supreme Court on Friday let stand 61-year-old Gary Kleypas’ death sentence in the 1996 rape and stabbing death of 20-year-old Pittsburg State University student Carrie Williams. The high court did throw out Kleypas’ conviction of attempted rape.

After that court overturned Kleypas’ death sentence in 2001, another jury restored it in 2008.

At the time of Williams’ death, Kleypas was on parole for a 1977 slaying in Missouri.

Justice Lee Johnson dissented Friday, reiterating his view that the death penalty is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual.

Kleypas was the first person condemned in Kansas after it reinstated the death penalty in 1994.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas lost more than 2,000 private-sector jobs in September as the state’s unemployment rate ticked up for the fourth month in a row.  See individual county unemployment reports here.

The Kansas Department of Labor attributes the rise in the jobless rate to a combination of fewer people in the workforce and a decline in the number of nonfarm jobs.

September’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent, up from 4.3 percent in August and 4 percent in September 2015. The Labor Department says the state had 600 fewer nonfarm jobs than in August and 2,100 private-sector jobs overall.

The report issued Friday says Kansas has lost 6,300 jobs since last September, including 5,900 since the start of the year.

Officials say the state’s labor force has fallen by roughly 18,800 people in 2016, including 1,763 in September.