SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County continue to investigate a fatal dog attack of a toddler.

Just after 8 p.m. on Saturday, police in Topeka responded to report of a missing 2-year-old girl in the 800 Block of SE Carnahan Avenue, according to a media release.

After a search, the child identified on Monday as Piper Dunbar of Topeka was found dead in the yard of the residence and had been the victim of a dog attack.

The Topeka Animal Control Division seized two dogs that were found within a fenced yard of the residence.

The Shawnee County District Attorney is reviewing the case, according to police.

MANHATTAN — Burns & McDonnell has pledged $500,000 to Kansas State University to support Engineering Hall, the 108,000-square-foot expansion to the engineering complex that opened in spring 2016. The Burns & McDonnell Foundation donated $400,000 and employee-owners who are university alumni donated an additional $100,000, according to a media release.

Along with the monetary donation, the firm has bestowed its name upon the Burns & McDonnell Collaborative Learning Laboratory, which will facilitate a more hands-on and team-based approach to engineering education.

“Burns & McDonnell is committed to developing the next generation of STEM professionals,” says Greg Graves, chairman and CEO, Burns & McDonnell. “We are proud to be a supporter of K-State; a university that consistently produces some of the brightest engineering professionals in the country.”

The Burns & McDonnell Collaborative Learning Laboratory, part of the College of Engineering’s broader Academic Success Center, will serve as home to the innovative Scholars Assisting Scholars program. The program employs upper-level students to tutor peers while also developing their own teaching and leadership skills.

“Collaboration is the future of industry, and we are fortunate to partner with leaders like Burns & McDonnell, who recognize and support that fact,” said Darren Dawson, dean of the College of Engineering. “We are grateful for Burns & McDonnell’s commitment to engineering education at K-State, and we’re honored to have their name upon one of the most highly visible spaces in our new Engineering Hall.”

To learn more about making a gift to engineering at Kansas State University, please contact the engineering development office at [email protected].

The Burns & McDonnell Foundation was formed by employee-owners as the embodiment of the firm’s commitment to corporate citizenship and philanthropy. The foundation’s giving, volunteering and grant programs focus on four strategic areas: education to engage young minds, community development to support its neighbors, health to promote healthy lifestyles, and arts and culture to inspire the visionaries. Burns & McDonnell is a company made up of more than 5,300 engineers, architects, construction professionals, scientists, consultants and entrepreneurs with offices across the country and throughout the world. Burns & McDonnell is 100 percent employee-owned and is proud to be No. 16 on Fortune’s2016 list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.

JACKSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Jackson County are investigating a suspect for alleged domestic violence and driving a stolen car.

Just after 9 a.m. on Sunday, the Jackson County Sheriff’s office received a report of a domestic altercation between a man and a woman in the drive of an abandoned residence 12000 block of 134th Road in a rural area of Jackson County, according to a media release.

The woman left for help on foot while man, identified as Benjamin W. Braden, 42, Topeka, left the area in a white Dodge Intrepid.

Deputies found the Intrepid, later confirmed to have been stolen from Nemaha County, east of T. Road on 134th Road.

The suspect was believed to have exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Shortly thereafter, a search for the Braden ensued. Deputies from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and additional law enforcement officers from the Potawatomi Tribal Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism assisted with the search.

K-9s led to Braden who was hidden inside of a hay barn approximately one half mile south of 142nd Road east of T. Road.

He was taken into custody with the assistance of a police K-9 at about 12:15 pm.

Braden was transported to and was treated at the Holton Community Hospital for injuries associated with his apprehension by the K-9.

He is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property and criminal threat. Additional charges can be expected. Bond on Braden has not yet been set. Braden is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants across the State of Kansas.

KINGMAN COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Kingman County are investigating a hit and run accident and asking the public’s help.

Just after 10:20 a.m. on September 22, a bicyclist traveling south on the Kansas 11 Highway and approaching NW 50th Street one mile south of the Reno County line was struck by a southbound white utility, according to a media release.

The truck did not stop and continued southbound. The bicyclist, an adult male from Kingman County, was taken to Kingman Community Hospital and later released.

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for any information about the white utility truck with dual wheels and possible damage to the passing side and the identity of the driver.

Anyone with information regarding on this incident should contact the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office at (620) 532-5133.

BROWN COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just after 2p.m. on Sunday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 2014 Ford F250 driven by Jody Michael Guidry Jr., 33, Opelousas, LA., was south bound on U.S. 75 just north of Kansas 246.

The pickup crossed the centerline into the northbound lane and hit a 1994 Honda motorcycle driven by Timothy L. Sparks, 51, Sabetha, head-on.

Sparks was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

Guidry was not injured.

Sparks was wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

WICHITA – Many teachers in Wichita will do the minimum required on Monday in an effort to show protest they are not getting paid enough.

The Wichita Teachers Union reminded their members on social media this weekend. “Attention teachers: Work your contract today and then show up to the rally at North High to support yourself and other teachers! It is time to regain your dignity for yourself, your family, and for your students!”

“Anyone had enough……????? Tomorrow we begin the change.
We ARE stronger together!”

“Just a reminder…VERY IMPORTANT!
The contract requires teachers to be in and/or about their rooms at ten minutes prior to the bell! So if you’re meeting together and going in together just make sure you meet the deadline. We don’t want or need admin pointing fingers if we are late!

Are you ready to stand up and be heard?
Have you had enough yet?
We are Stronger Together!
Monday…
Let us know what some of the schools are doing!”

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas researchers will join a research project that aims to help schools in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri adopt campus sexual assault policies and prevention strategies.

The three-year $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, will allow three University of Kansas researchers to study sexual assault policies at eight selected campuses.

The Kansas City Star reports that the goal of the Heartland Sexual Assault Policies & Prevention on Campuses Project is to develop model plans for how campuses can address sexual violence. The project will work with schools in the three states, including the University of Kansas and Kansas State University.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A pedestrian died after being struck by two vehicles in Topeka.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office says 29-year-old Amanda L. Nicholas was struck by two vehicles Saturday night during heavy rainfall.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that none of the occupants of the vehicles were injured.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Harry Louderback says police are investigating why Nicholas was in the roadway, but there does not appear to be any suspicious or criminal circumstances.

DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer

Arnold Palmer brought a country-club sport to the masses with a hard-charging style, charisma and a commoner’s touch. At ease with both presidents and the golfing public, and on a first-name basis with both, “The King,” died Sunday in Pittsburgh. He was 87.

Alastair Johnson, CEO of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, confirmed that Palmer died Sunday afternoon of complications from heart problems.

Here’s to The King who was as extraordinary on the links as he was generous to others. Thanks for the memories, Arnold. pic.twitter.com/UlyfpIBOL2

— President Obama (@POTUS) September 26, 2016

 

Palmer ranked among the most important figures in golf history, and it went well beyond his seven major championships and 62 PGA Tour wins. His good looks, devilish grin and go-for-broke manner made the elite sport appealing to one and all. And it helped that he arrived about the same time as television moved into most households, a perfect fit that sent golf to unprecedented popularity.

Beyond his golf, Palmer was a pioneer in sports marketing, paving the way for scores of other athletes to reap in millions from endorsements. Some four decades after his last PGA Tour win, he ranked among the highest-earners in golf.

On the golf course, Palmer was an icon not for how often he won, but the way he did it.

BURRTON, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a fire broke out in house in south-central Kansas, killing one person.

The fire broke was reported at about noon Sunday in the town of Burrton, which is about 40 miles northwest of Wichita. A Harvey County dispatcher told KAKE-TV that the name of the victim hasn’t been released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.  Name of the woman has not been released.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback’s economic advisory council has discontinued a quarterly report that had been developed to ensure a timely analysis of the administration’s economic policies.

The Council of Economic Advisors, which is chaired by Brownback, will no longer compile and distribute a review of economic markers picked by the administration and championed as an accountability test of the administration’s economic vision.

The May edition was the last publication of “Indicators of the Kansas Economy.”

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the group instead intends to focus on a U.S. Federal Reserve report that includes data on state, regional and national economic statistics that impact Kansas.

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Police are investigating after a vehicle struck and killed a 3-year-old girl in Olathe.

Police said the accident occurred Saturday afternoon, and the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Kansas City Star reports that police said the 26-year-old man who was driving the car remained at the scene. He was not cited, but police were continuing to investigate.

Police Sgt. Brian Hill said the child either walked or ran into the street and into the path of the car. Police have not released her name.

Hill says a preliminary investigation indicates speeding was not a factor.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas has received a gift of more than $2 million for faculty development in the university’s department of chemical and petroleum engineering.

The gift is from John V. Bossi, who earned his bachelor’s degree at Kansas in chemical engineering in 1948. He died in 2015, and directed the estate gift to the university. A fund in his name has been established through the KU Endowment.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Bossi was a World War II veteran who worked at Phillips Petroleum in Texas and Pritchard Company in Kansas City, Missouri.

Bossi later left his engineering career and took over the family farm near Arkansas City along with one of his brothers. He never married nor had any children.