SALINA- Officials at the Saline County jail reported two batches of homemade alcohol were found in the kitchen of the jail this week.

They found a dispenser filled with about two gallons of the clear homemade liquor commonly known as “hooch’ during an inspection on Monday, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Brent Melander.

On Tuesday jail officials found a mustard jar of homemade wine inside a tea dispenser. Crushed tomatoes were still fermenting inside the jar with a rubber glove attached to the top of the jar to help the fermentation process.

The inmates involved in the incident were assigned to the kitchen and were being supervised by CBM Food Services, a company that is contracted by the Sheriff’s Office for meal preparation at the jail.

Melander said that jail staff often assists CBM with the supervision, but understaffing often complicates the matter.

Melander says charges aren’t likely, but the inmates involved will be reassigned and moved away from the kitchen.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Motion Picture Association of America says “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” may not be entirely suitable for young kids.

The organization on Tuesday gave the J.J. Abrams-directed film a PG-13 rating because of sci-fi action violence.

The designation tells parents that some scenes might be inappropriate for those younger than 13 but doesn’t restrict attendance. The film comes out Dec. 18.

“Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith” also got a PG-13 rating in 2005. The five other films in the series were rated PG, but the first three were released before PG-13 was created in 1984.

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Junction City man faces life in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking ring in northeast Kansas.

The office of the U.S. Attorney for Kansas said Wednesday that 33-year-old Albert Dwayne Banks was sentenced to life in federal prison after he was convicted in June on charges of distributing crack cocaine and being involved in a conspiracy to distribute crack in Manhattan and Junction City.

Prosecutors say another defendant, 34-year-old Martye Madabuti Madkins III, was sentenced to nearly 22 years for his convictions for distributing crack cocaine, and doing so within 1,000 feet of an elementary school.

Prosecutors say Banks and Madkins were among three men convicted of operating a large cocaine trafficking ring in Geary and Riley counties during late 2012 and early 2013.

UPDATE: The family of 14-year-old Kasey Rachae Wittman says the teenager has been located safely.

According to reports, the girl turned herself into police at a Salina convenience store just before 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

Wittman had been missing since Monday evening.

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SALINA – A search is underway for a missing Salina teenager.

The family of 14-year-old Kasey Rachae Wittman says the girl has been missing since Monday evening. She was last seen just west of Salina in the area of Crawford & Burma Road at around 7:30 p.m.

Kasey is 5’2″ tall and weighs about 105 lbs. She has blonde hair and blue eyes. She also has scars on her arms and legs.

Anyone with information regarding Kasey Wittman’s disappearance or where whereabouts is asked to contact the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has been arrested after an altercation at a Kansas casino.

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission says Randle was asked to leave the Kansas Star casino in Mulvane on Tuesday night after causing some unspecified concerns. Randle left, but returned and got into a scuffle with security.

The Sumner County attorney’s office said Wednesday that no formal charges have been filed, and he remains jailed on a $25,000 bond.

He was booked on suspicion of criminal threat, assault of a law enforcement officer, battery, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and interference with a law enforcement officer.

Randle was suspended four games by the NFL under the league’s personal conduct policy earlier this month, one week after he was released by the Dallas Cowboys.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says there’s currently no specific, credible intelligence that would indicate a potential terrorist plot in the U.S. during the holidays.

Obama says his administration is taking “every possible step” to keep the country safe. He says that if there were to be a credible threat, the public will be informed.

The president says it’s understandable that the public is worried that attacks like the ones in Paris this month could happen in the United States. But he’s encouraging people to go about their normal activities around Thanksgiving.

Obama spoke from the White House on Wednesday shortly after meeting with his national security team.

SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating an alleged theft of a weapon and cash.

Kassandra Bethe, 26, Salina, is accused of taking a Ruger .380 pistol and $50 in cash from the home of her father, 60-year-old Douglas Bethe, in the 2100 block of Pheasant Lane on Sunday morning, according to Salina Police Captain Chris Trocheck.

She allegedly then told police the gun was taken from the driver’s side door of her vehicle sometime after she arrived at work Tuesday morning.

Bethe was booked into the Saline County Jail on Tuesday evening on a requested charge of felony theft.

The missing gun is valued at $275, according to police.

HUTCHINSON – Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are in investigating an armed robbery at a store in Hutchinson.

On Tuesday, October 24, just after 4p.m., two black men entered the Dollar Sense, 1301 North Main Street in Hutchinson, according to a media release from Hutchinson Police.

One suspect stayed at the front door and the other robbed the clerk at gunpoint.

Both suspects left the store in an unknown direction.

The suspect who engaged the clerk is described as mid to late 20’s, approximately 6 foot tall weighing around 180 – 190 lbs. He had a short cut beard, was wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

Anyone who has information on the robbery is asked to call Detective Loepp @ 620-694-2829 or Crime Stoppers of Reno County @ 1-800-222-tips. Please associate all tips with case #2015-28813.
Lt Robertson # 160

LAWRENCE- A University of Kansas residence hall came down on Wednesday morning.

Approximately 750 pounds of explosives were used to detonate 10-story McCollum Hall.

In just over 18 seconds the three-wing, 220,000-square-foot residence hall will become a pile of rubble.

Opened in 1965, McCollum initially housed 910 students. It has been the king — at least in size — of KU’s Daisy Hill dorms ever since.

Demolition preparations began last month. The work has included removing and hauling off all soft material such as wood and sheet rock, and removing tons of metals for recycling.

HALSTEAD, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating a matter involving a south-central Kansas police department.

Harvey County Attorney David Yoder says KBI agents visited the Halstead Police Department on Monday. Yoder says he asked for KBI assistance recently after receiving information about the police department that warranted further checking from an outside agency.

Yoder says he can’t comment on the nature of the investigation because it’s ongoing.

The KBI said in a release Tuesday that it’s investigating in and around Halstead, but did not specify the police department. The KBI says no search warrants had been served and there had been no arrests.

A message left with the police department wasn’t immediately returned Wednesday.

Halstead has about 2,100 residents and is located about 35 miles north of Wichita.

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HALSTEAD – An investigation is underway in and around Halstead, according a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation involves the city police department.

No search warrants have been served and no arrests have been made according to the KBI.

No further information is being released according to the Harvey County Attorney’s Office.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The University of Kansas has created a task force on diversity efforts.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that incoming interim provost Sara Rosen announced the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Group on Tuesday.

Sheahon Zenger, the university’s director of athletics, and Clarence Lang, chairman of the African and African-American Studies department, will co-chair the task force.

The group’s focus will include making recommendations for campus diversity training, incorporating diversity into curriculum and developing a campus strategic plan on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Rosen says additional appointments to the group will be announced later.

GARDEN CITY- Law enforcement authorities in Finney County are investigating two Kansas teens in connection with a stolen vehicle and high-speed chase, according to a media release.

Just after 10a.m. on Sunday, officers of the Garden City Police Department were notified that the Gray County Sheriff’s Office was engaged in a vehicle pursuit involving two suspects in a white Hyundai that was set to enter Finney County.

The suspects pulled into a driveway in the 1200 Block of Mulberry Street in Garden City and fled the vehicle on foot.

Responding officers set up a perimeter in an attempt to locate the suspects.

Numerous citizens assisted the Police the entire time, reporting to officers the locations of the suspects’ last know whereabouts.

One suspect, Jacobb Andelin, 15, Fort Riley, was located and arrested without incident in the 1600 Block of Walker Street.

Information was obtained that the second suspect, Gavin Adam, 15, Fort Riley, may be armed with a handgun. He was located and arrested after a brief foot pursuit in the backyard of a residence in the 1100 Block of Bancroft Street.

Andelin is being held on requested charges of Possession of a stolen vehicle, Interference with a law enforcement Officer and Leaving the scene of an accident.

Adam is being held on requested charges of Flee and Elude, Leaving the scene of an accident, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of a stolen vehicle, No valid driver’s license
Failure to signal intent to turn, Speeding, Reckless Driving, Driving left of center, Failure to maintain lane, Failing to yield at a stop light x3, Failing to yield as a stop sign, Driving in wrong direction

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man has been ordered to pay back more than $165,000 in funds he took from investors.

The Wichita Eagle reports 56-year-old Paul Carageannis also was sentenced Tuesday to 60 months of probation.

He pleaded no contest June 15 to one count of felony securities fraud under the Kansas Uniform Securities Act.

The office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner says Carageannis sold unregistered securities in an oil and gas lease to pay off existing debts.

As of Tuesday, he had paid back nearly $82,000 to the victims as a result of the prosecution. He was ordered Tuesday to pay back the remaining money, which totals more than $84,000.