Ryals photo Cowley Co.COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a mother and her boyfriend on drug and child abuse charges in connection with two missing boys found after being missing for 20 hours.
On Tuesday, police took a report regarding the two missing boys, who were located Thursday about 15 miles west of their home by the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, according to a media release.
Authorities contacted the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and information was gathered indicating that the children had escaped their home in the 1000 block of South Third Street in Arkansas City after having been locked in their room.
DCF employees and police officers continued to investigate the incident throughout the day Thursday, and a search warrant was executed at the residence on South Third Street.
Cloud photo Cowley Co.
Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, police arrested Stephanie Michelle Cloud, 32, and Anthony Christopher Ryals, 37, both of Arkansas City, on suspicion of one felony count each of aggravated child endangerment and child abuse, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
They remain in the Cowley County Jail in Winfield in lieu of $32,000 bond each, according to online jail records.
The children, a 13-year-old boy, his 12-year-old brother and their 14-year-old sister have been placed into protective custody with the Kansas Department for Children and Families, according to the release.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a Topeka man who crashed his motorcycle after a birthday celebration at a Topeka bar was found dead in a ditch about 42 hours later with the body of his passenger.
Fatal crash scene photo courtesy WIBW TV
The Kansas Highway Patrol says 59-year-old Kenneth Barsch went off the side of U.S. 75 around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. Patrol Lt. Bryce Whelpley described the ditch that Barsch and 49-year-old Kimberly Hollis crashed into as “very steep” and deep.
A search party made up of relatives and friends came across the scene around 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Barsch had last been seen about 1 a.m. Wednesday riding away from the bar in northern Topeka. His birthday had been Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators are approving T-Mobile’s $26.5 billion takeover of rival Sprint, despite fears of higher prices and job cuts.
Friday’s approval by the Justice Department and five state attorneys general comes after Sprint and T-Mobile agreed to conditions that would set up satellite-TV provider Dish as a fourth wireless company, so the number of major U.S. providers remains at four.
Dish is buying prepaid cellphone brands such as Boost and Virgin Mobile and some spectrum, or airwaves for wireless service, from the two companies. It will also be able to rent T-Mobile’s network for seven years while it builds its own. The Justice Department’s antitrust chief, Makan Delrahim, said the settlement sets up Dish “as a disruptive force in wireless.”
Sprint and T-Mobile combined would now approach the size of Verizon and AT&T. The companies have argued that bulking up will mean a better next-generation “5G” wireless network than they could make on their own.
The two companies tried to combine during the Obama administration but regulators rebuffed them. They resumed talks on combining once President Donald Trump took office, hoping for more industry-friendly regulators. The companies appealed to Trump’s desire for the U.S. to “win” a global 5G race with China as this faster, more reliable wireless is rolled out and applications are built for it.
Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission agreed in May to back the deal after T-Mobile promised to build out rural broadband and 5G, sell its Boost prepaid brand and keep prices on hold for three years
But public-interest advocates complained the FCC conditions did not address the problems of the merger — higher prices, less wireless competition — and would be difficult for regulators to enforce.
Attorneys general from 13 states and the District of Columbia then filed a lawsuit to block the deal. They say the promised benefits, such as better networks in rural areas and faster service overall, cannot be verified, while eliminating a major wireless company will immediately harm consumers by reducing g competition and driving up prices for cellphone service.
They may not be satisfied with the settlement and choose to press ahead.
A judge must also approve the Justice Department’s settlement.
TOPEKA ― Chief Justice Lawton Nuss announced today that he will retire from the Supreme Court, effective Dec. 17.
Nuss has served as a justice on the Supreme Court since 2002 and as chief justice since 2010.
“I consider my service on the Supreme Court to be the greatest privilege of my 37-year legal career,” Nuss said. “It has given me the honor of working with the nearly two thousand dedicated people―judges and employees alike―of the judicial branch of government. I am extremely proud of what all these good folks have accomplished for their fellow Kansans.”
Nuss was appointed to the Supreme Court by former Governor Bill Graves. At the time of his appointment, Nuss had practiced law in Salina for 20 years. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law after serving in the United States Marine Corps.
Justice Marla Luckert, who is next in seniority on the court, said Nuss has been an outstanding leader of the judicial branch the last 10 years.
“During his tenure as chief justice, our state courts have undergone tremendous change. We have steadily worked on modernizing how we manage cases with an eye toward more efficient service to the people of Kansas,” Luckert said. “At the same time, Chief Justice Nuss has earnestly pursued funding levels that will allow us to bring employee pay to market rates and to offer competitive pay for judges, both of which are critical to the effective delivery of justice.”
Nuss’s retirement announcement comes just two weeks after his colleague, Justice Lee Johnson, announced he will retire September 8. That announcement was made July 10.
Supreme Court vacancies are filled using a merit-based nomination process that Kansans voted to add to the Kansas Constitution in 1958.
When there is a vacancy on the bench, the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews applications and conducts public interviews of nominees. The commission narrows the nominee pool to three names that it sends to the governor. The governor chooses one nominee to appoint.
To be eligible, a nominee must be:
at least 30 years old;
a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least 10 years, whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school.
The Supreme Court Nominating Commission has nine members. There is one lawyer and one nonlawyer from each of the state’s four congressional districts, plus one lawyer who serves as chairperson. Nonlawyers are appointed by the governor. Lawyers are elected by other lawyers within their congressional districts. The chairperson is elected by lawyers statewide.
When the Supreme Court Nominating Commission reviews nominees for justice, they look at the person’s:
legal and judicial experience
educational background
character and ethics
temperament
service to the community
impartiality
respect of colleagues
Justices must follow the law and not be influenced by politics, special interest groups, public opinion, or their own personal beliefs.
Justices demonstrate their accountability by following a Code of Judicial Conduct that establishes standards of ethical behavior. They also take an oath of office that includes swearing to support, protect, and defend the U.S. Constitution and Kansas Constitution.
After a new justice serves one year on the court, he or she must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the justice serves a six-year term.
JEFFERSON COUNTY — Kansas game wardens helped in a dramatic water rescue Thursday in Jefferson County.
Shortly after 3a.m., Jefferson County officials dispatched a Kansas Game Wardens to a reported boat that had sunk on Perry Lake with at least three or four people trapped out on the water, according to a social media report.
Photos courtesy KDWP&T Game Wardens
After experiencing mechanical problems and discovering his boat was taking on water, the owner swam to shore wearing a personal flotation device to call for help.
The warden, accompanied by two Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies, located a man, woman and child in the boat tethered to a submerged tree.
Along with the Jefferson County deputies our warden was able to get the group and their boat safely off the water.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — A south-central Kansas aquatic park will reopen Friday afternoon following the water rescue of a 9-year-old swimmer.
Photo courtesy Rock River Rapids
At approximately 6:45 p.m. Thursday, a lifeguard identified a 9-year-old girl in distress in the pool at Rock River Rapids Aquatic Park in Derby, according to a media release. Lifeguards rescue the girl from the water and Derby Fire and Rescue responded to the scene within two minutes.
Sedgwick County EMS responded as well and transported the girl in critical condition to a Wichita hospital. Authorities had no update on the child’s condition early Friday.
Rock River Rapids closed at 7 p.m and all evening classes were cancelled.
According to the city of Derby, since the park opened in 2004, there have been no serious incidents. Rock River Rapids lifeguards are trained for situations like this and can be commended for their quick response.”
Rock River Rapids will be open at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, July 26.
BARTON COUNTY –Police arrested a man Wednesday night in Britt Spaugh Park who was later found to have drugs in his back pack.
Richardson photo Bardon Co.
Officers found Timothy Richardson, 27, in the park and arrested him on Great Bend Municipal Court court warrant and he was transported to the Barton County Detention Center.
During the initial jail inspection, the staff found a small bag of methamphetamine and 2 syringes in Richard’s backpack.
In addition to the warrant violation, Richardson was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man has pleaded no contest to crimes linked to the drive-by shooting death of a 5-year-old girl.
Hughes-photo Shawnee Co.
Twenty-two-year-old Jessie Dean Deshawn Hughes pleaded Thursday in the July 2015 death of Lily Coats-Nichols. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said Hughes pleaded to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle.
Hughes was originally charged with first-degree murder.
The plea deal requires Hughes to spend 25 years in prison.Kagay said the girl’s family supported the plea deal.
Authorities said Lily was shot in the head while in the back seat of a car driven by her mother.
Kagay said prosecutors believe Hughes thought he was shooting at rival gang members in the area.
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed Aaron Otto, Roeland Park, to the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
“We are excited to have Aaron to represent Kansas in the Midwestern Higher Education Compact,” Kelly said. “Kansas has unique educational needs and deserves a passionate and experienced leader.”
The compact provides greater higher education opportunities and services in the Midwestern region, with the goal of furthering regional access for citizens residing in states in the compact. The compact is headquartered in Minneapolis and member states include: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Governor Kelly also has appointed Otto to the Governor’s Council on Education.
He currently serves as the acting assistant county manager and executive director for the Johnson County Airport Commission. Previously, Otto served as city administrator for Roeland Park and worked in the Kansas State Treasurer’s office as assistant state treasurer. Otto graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kansas State University and received a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — The girlfriend of the Mexican national whose arrest was featured in a Facebook Live video that showed federal officers breaking his car window says he was deported to Mexico.
Cheyenne Hoyt tells Kansas City media that Florencio Millan-Vazquez called Wednesday evening to say he had been flown to Brownsville, Texas, and then taken to Matamoros, Mexico.
Federal immigration officers trying to arrest Millan-Vazquez on Monday smashed a car window and dragged him from the vehicle in front of Hoyt and their two young children. Millan-Vazquez was in the U.S. illegally and asked that the agents show him a warrant before he would get out of the car. The agents didn’t show a warrant.
Hoyt said he is a chef and family man who never caused trouble. Immigration officials said he re-entered the country twice after being voluntarily deported in 2011.
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A 22-year-old Michigan man is charged with using Snapchat to coerce a Kansas teenager to send him sexually explicit videos.
Hurst photo Johnson Co.
Martez Hurst, of suburban Detroit, is charged in Johnson County, Kansas, with two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of blackmail.
Charging documents say Hurst told police he had tried to commit similar crimes against about 20 other females.
Investigators say Hurst began communicating with the 16-year-old Overland Park girl in January 2018, while posing as a 17-year-old boy who attended a nearby high school.
The teenager told investigators she sent Hurst about 10 nude photos of herself but refused to send sexually explicit videos. She said in March, Hurst threatened to release the photos if she didn’t send a video.
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly appointed Dylan Evans, Sarah Green, and Kathy Brazle to the Kansas State Fair board.
“The Kansas state fair is an important part of Kansas’ story,” Kelly said. “It’s a cherished annual tradition, and Kansans deserve board members who are passionate about our history and culture. Dylan, Sarah, and Kathy encapsulate this passion.”
The board acts as the showcase of Kansas agriculture, commerce and industry, and is responsible for presenting a format of entertainment and education that appeals to people from all walks of life in Kansas.
The state fair emphasizes the importance of family, education, public and private entities, and Kansas as a whole.
Dylan Evans, Lebo, is the owner of Farmers State Bank of Aliceville and DWE Livestock. Evans received his master’s degree in food science, a bachelor’s degree in animal science and industry, and a bachelor’s degree in food science and industry, all from Kansas State University. He succeeds Steve Abrams.
Sarah Green, Wichita, currently serves as a writer, editor, and strategic consultant, working as an independent contractor. Previously, she served as Local Foods and Rural Outreach Coordinator under the Kansas Department of Agriculture. Green participated in a graduate fellowship through George Washington University in food policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. She succeeds Matthew Lowen.
Kathy Brazle, Chanute, is a retired school administrator. Previously a teacher in Erie, Brazle received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physical education from Southwestern College and a master’s degree in physical education from the University of Kansas. Brazle also received an administration certification from Emporia State University. She succeeds Monica Lair.
The governor’s appointments to the state fair board are not subject to Senate confirmation.
