JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — A woman has been fined $600 and ordered to pay another $500 in restitution after her dog mauled a retired circus pony so severely that it had to be euthanized.

Taylor Harris also was placed on probation after pleading guilty in Joplin Municipal Court to allowing a dog to run at large. The restitution must be paid by June 19, 2020. That will be the one-year anniversary of the deadly attack on Gunther, a white pony who was retired from Ringling Bros. Three others horses also were bit but survived.

Gunther’s owner, Suzi Salazar, says the highly trained pony was valued at $25,000.

City Prosecutor Joe Crosthwait says Harris’ dog, which appeared to be a pit bull mix, was surrendered and euthanized.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 67-year-old Wichita man who tried to have sex with a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced to three years of probation.

Sedgwick County records show Raymundo Arroyo Sanchez was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to aggravated indecent solicitation of a child.

Sanchez could be sent to prison for 32 months if he violates his probation. He also must complete sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Prosecutors say he tried to have sex with the 13-year-old girl in September 2018. She was with three younger girls who went to Sanchez’s apartment near a park after he offered them drinks and snacks. The girl knew Sanchez, who had previously given her drinks and snacks.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 3:30a.m. Wednesday, several break-ins occurred in the 400-600 blocks of East Beloit, Salina, according to police. A person involved in the crimes was photographed.

The  male subject is described as a younger white male, tall and slender, has shorter hair with “dreads,” a light-colored T-shirt, and shorts. The person was wearing sandals and had a flashlight. He also had a bandana tied around his neck.

Salina Police detectives are seeking information concerning this person’s identity.

If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.

Looking to get your career started?

Eagle is committed to training our technicians to provide them with the skills and tools necessary to be successful. Our focus is growing your skill set so that you can quickly become a valued technician; one that our customers trust to deliver high-quality Eagle services.

Eagle Communications is seeking a Full-Time Combination Field/Maintenance Outside Plant Technician based in the Hays, KS and the surrounding region. Each day, you will have the opportunity to work with the latest technology in Digital Television, Internet, Wi-Fi, Telephone and customer premise equipment by providing technical solutions to our customers.

An Outside Plant Field/Maintenance Technician at Eagle Communications will enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working independently. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities for continued growth. You will have the opportunity to meet new people and the satisfaction of providing our customers with the latest technology and services. Normal business hours are 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Our on-call rotation and desire to meet the demand of producing quality installation can change the flow of a normal day allowing the opportunity for overtime, including weekends.

Qualifications:
Experience in RF outside plant maintenance is preferred, but not required. Qualified candidates can substitute with experience in a comparable field such as mechanics, HVAC, electrical, or other related hands-on trade roles. Candidates should have proven customer service experience. This position requires a valid driver’s license. This individual will be self-motivated and able to work independently. Candidates must have a stable work history and willing to work required shifts and overtime (as necessary). Candidates must be able to work after hours and on weekends as required. This position may include some travel.

Requirements:

• Drive company vehicle between office, headend, and work sites,
• Ability to use a 28 foot extension ladder and climbing equipment,
• Comfortable with attics and crawl spaces (as necessary),
• Work within or outside of a customer’s property,
• Ability to lift 70lbs,
• Ability to handle stressful situations and fast-paced troubleshooting environment,
• Ability to work overtime on regularly scheduled days or on scheduled days off due to customer or operational demands,
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions,
• Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to traveling to other systems, completing work scheduled for other co-workers and any other additional tasks.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Maintain overall cable infrastructure in assigned location,
• Maintain and report on compliance in all systems of CLI, FCC and OSHA performance standards,
• Participate in performing 24-hour FCC Proof of Performance Test,
• Manage and monitor underground maintenance and line repair,
• Perform preventative maintenance of power supplies, plant electronics and physical plant components,
• Maintain plant health including preventative maintenance (i.e. adjusting amplifiers and line extenders as needed to maintain proper signal levels at customer locations),
• Knowledge of appropriate testing equipment (i.e. spectrum analyzer, signal level meters, TDR’s, cable line toners, ohm meters, CLI detection meters, full scan, etc.),
• End of line balance checks,
• Ability to read and comprehend system design prints,
• Work in seasonal weather any time of day as needed to resolve sudden outages,
• Perform the duties of a Service Technician, when needed, to troubleshoot and repair customer cable or high-speed internet services,
• Interact with customers in a professional, courteous manner, including responses to escalations and repeat customer concerns,
• Participate in scheduled on-call (stand-by) duties for providing technical repair and system maintenance during non-business hours,
• Work with low voltage electricity,
• Maintain satellite dish alignment and receivers at a headend facility.

Salary:
Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefits package.

Other information:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background and motor vehicle check, drug test, and successfully complete a Physical Capacity Profile screening. Eagle Communications is an employee-owned company and an EEO employer.

Click HERE TO APPLY.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump celebrated a new agreement Friday to increase beef exports to the European Union, saying sales should increase by 46 percent in the first year.

President Trump just signed a deal to let American beef farmers export more of their product to the European Union! pic.twitter.com/OsQjda71NN

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 2, 2019

Trump portrayed the agreement as standing up for farmers and ranchers. Producers have been hurt by retaliatory tariffs that China imposed after Trump imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion in Chinese products.

This is great news for Kansas ranchers!

Kansas is one of the top exporters of beef, and this move by @realDonaldTrump will be beneficial to our beef producers and our state’s economy. https://t.co/bdmQaG2cBC

— Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) August 2, 2019

The signing of the agreement comes the day after Trump increased pressure on China to reach a trade deal by saying he will impose 10% tariffs Sept. 1 on the remaining $300 billion in Chinese imports he hasn’t already taxed.

The European Commission announced in June that it had reached an agreement with the U.S. to allow more hormone-free U.S. beef onto the European market.

“Opening markets for our farmers is about more than just an industry. It’s about a way of life,” Trump said from the White House before the signing of the agreement.

COWLEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a knife attack and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

James Henry Fitch V, 28, of Arkansas City, is wanted on suspicion of aggravated battery in connection with a knifing incident July 26 in the 400 block of North A Street, according to the Arkansas City Police Capt. Eric Burr.

Just after 6:30 p.m. July 26, police responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of North A Street, according to a media release. At the scene, officers found a 22-year-old Arkansas City man who had sustained a cut to the side of his face. Investigators worked quickly to identify Fitch as a suspect in the case, but he had fled the scene prior to their arrival. He allegedly cut the victim in the face with a knife as a result of a disagreement. The Arkansas City Fire-EMS Department provided emergency medical assistance to the victim.

Anyone with information on Fitch should contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — A northwest Missouri farmer, accused in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of two Wisconsin brothers, has been formally charged with tampering with the truck the two rented to drive to his farm.

Garland “Joey” Nelson of Braymer appeared in Caldwell County court via video Thursday for a bond hearing.

The only charge Nelson, 25, now faces is tampering with a motor vehicle. Authorities say Nelson admitted to driving the truck rented by 35-year-old Nicholas Diemel and his 24-year-old brother, Justin, who were reported missing July 21st when they visited Nelson’s farm.

Authorities found the truck abandoned at a commuter parking lot in Holt.

A search for the two men began to focus on the Nelson farm near Braymer this week. Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish announced this week human remains were found on the Nelson farm. They have not been identified. No cause of death has been announced.

Court documents have been released outlining a checkered past. A court order issued in 2015 bars Nelson from having contact with a woman he resided with and from the residence they shared. Nelson served time in federal prison in a $262,000 cattle fraud scheme, involving the Farm Service Agency and Farm Bureau Insurance. He was 22 at the time.

Nelson was convicted of passing bad checks in 2015.

Nelson is being held in the Caldwell County jail in Kingston, without bond.

Meanwhile, Nelson’s mother tells the Kansas City Star she cannot see him being involved in their deaths.

Tomme Feil tells the newspaper she has no idea why her son would have moved the brothers’ vehicle.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has signed an executive order aimed at ending a long-standing “border war” with Missouri over existing jobs in the Kansas City area.

But the order that Kelly issued Friday suggests the truce may be shaky.

Kelly’s order pledges that Kansas won’t use economic development incentives to lure existing jobs across the border in the Kansas City area. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a law in June pledging the same for his state.

Kelly’s order notes that local governments in Missouri still can offer more generous incentives than those in Kansas and says she might rescind her order if they don’t stop.

The nonprofit Hall Foundation estimates the states have used $335 million in incentives since 2011 to move more than 12,000 existing jobs in the area.

BURLINGTON –  A Kansas woman was sentenced Thursday to more than 10 years in prison after a Coffey County jury found her guilty of second degree murder and a related charge in connection with her husband’s death from neglect, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Carol Sue Burris, 69, of New Strawn, was found guilty in April of one count of reckless second degree murder and one count of mistreatment of a dependent adult. The charges stemmed from the mistreatment and death of her husband, Michael D. Burris, from April 2016 to October 2017.

Chief Judge Taylor J. Wine presided over the trial and today sentenced Burris to 117 months for second degree murder and 8 months for mistreatment of a dependent adult. The sentences are to be served consecutively in the Kansas Department of Corrections for a total of 125 months.

By Dewey Terrill, JC Post

DICKINSON COUNTY —Heavy rains swept through Dickinson County Thursday night and Friday morning and resulted in some rural road closures due to high water south of Abilene and runnng to the west toward Solomon.

One man had to be rescued from his vehicle after it was swept off the road by the water, according to Emergency Management Director Chancy Smith.

The site was south of Abilene between Eden and Fair Roads.

“Just had some high water across the road, person drove through it and it floated their car off into  the ditch. He was sitting on top of it until rescue could get there and get him off.”

There were no injuries.

The National Weather Service issued flash flood  watches and warnings for many areas of central and south central Kansas.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas registered sex offender is in custody on new sex crime allegations after a Monday arrest in Sedgwick County.

Long Van, 38, Wichita, was convicted in 2018 for commercial sexual exploitation of a child for a crime that occurred in 2017.

He was sentenced in December, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections and had been on parole.

Police arrested him again Monday on requested charges of aggravated human trafficking involving a victim under the age of 18, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. He also faces two probation violations, according to online jail records. Van is now being held on bond of $350,000.

PITKIN COUNTY, Co. —Authorities have located the body of teenager who was missing after being swept away by a river.

Just after  9:15 a.m. Thursday a Swift Water Rescue team participating in a multi-agency search and recovery mission located the victim  16-year-old Jamie Tran of Wichita, according to a media release.

Her body was located approximately 100 yards down river from The Devil’s Punchbowl.

It was reported at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday that a young woman was crossing the river just below the Punchbowl and was swept down-stream by the strong current. The young woman’s companions and others in the area performed their own search of the immediate area, and also sent someone to call for help from an ‘Emergency Call Box’ along the Highway, according to the sheriff’s department.