SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery but are not getting cooperation from the victim.
Police on the scene of Wednesday’s investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV
Just after 7 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the 1300 Block of SW Harrison in Topeka for a report of shots fired, according to Lt. Aaron Jones.
Officers made contact with several victims of an attempted aggravated robbery at a single apartment and located signs of a struggle and shooting which occurred within the apartment. It was apparent that both a victim of the aggravated robbery and a suspect exchanged gunfire, according to Jones.
At 9:10 pm, officers were called to a local hospital to meet with a person suffering from a serious, but non-life threatening gunshot wound. The person being treated for the injury, a 27-year-old male, gave vague information about how he was shot and there is not enough information available at this time to suggest the two incidents are related to each other, according to Jones.
U.S. Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue /USDA Photo by Preston Keres
By BRENT MARTIN St. Joseph Post
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Kansas City pulled off a coup, winning an intense competition to land two branches of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Thursday the Economic Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agricultural Policy will move from its current location in Washington to Kansas City.
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” Secretary Perdue said in a written statement released by the USDA. “The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve. This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
The USDA estimates it will save $300 million over a 15-year period by moving the agencies to the Midwest. The savings can be used for additional research. State and local governments have offered the USDA $26 million in incentives to move to Kansas City.
The two agencies employ about 500 people.
Kansas First District Congressman Roger Marshall said of the News on Twitter, “Great team effort by so many people to make this happen. Shout out to @KState and @KUnews in working so diligently with our federal delegation to help make the case for Kansas City. Agriculture and Kansas are truly synonymous – so we thank you, @SecretarySonny!
“The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve.
This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
Perdue announced last year the Trump Administration planned to move the agencies out of Washington. Nearly 140 locations from 35 states expressed interest with the USDA narrowing the list to three finalists, including Kansas City. The other two were the state of Indiana and Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Graves, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver, joined in a letter touting Kansas City as a prime spot for relocation.
“While there are many potential relocation options, we believe Kansas City provides the perfect balance between the various needs of the USDA,” the member of Congress wrote Perdue. “With the department’s Risk Management Agency and the Food Safety Administration already located in the Kansas City area, USDA understands the importance of having its core functions outside of the Washington Metro area and the unique benefits of operating in the Kansas City region.”
Economic Research provides data which the USDA uses to decide policy. The Institute of Food and Agriculture awards more than a billion dollars’ worth of competitive grants on sustainable agriculture.
United States Senators in both Missouri and Kansas also campaigned on behalf of Kansas City, including Sen. Pat Roberts, the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” Sen. Roberts said in a written statement included in a joint news release issued by all four senators. “The vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit. I am pleased that USDA recognizes the rich resources the heartland provides.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Kansas City region and our state,” Sen. Roy Blunt stated. “These agencies will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the area and enhance Missouri’s role as a national leader in ag research. Secretary Perdue made the right choice in selecting Kansas City, which is a great place to live and work. The challenges and opportunities have never been greater than they will be in the next 25 years. These research agencies do great work, and will be at the cutting edge of agriculture and well located for assistance and examples as they do their job.”
“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” Sen. Jerry Moran stated. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry. It is always positive when our government can operate outside of Washington and closer to the people it serves, and I am certain that the decision to relocate NIFA and ERS to Kansas City is a good one. I look forward to helping welcome these USDA agencies and employees to Kansas City.”
“This is outstanding news for the Kansas City region. We’re home to some of the hardest working farmers in the country, so this is a fantastic decision by the USDA,” Sen. Josh Hawley stated. “As the new home of the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Missouri and Kansas will continue to lead in the research and development of American agricultural policy for the 21st century. We are grateful for the job opportunities and renewed partnership this move creates for our state.”
Trey Patterson, from Cheney, caught the 45.75 inch fish on June 8 while out with his father and brother-in-law on the east side of Refuge Point at the Cheney Reservoir.
When he first felt a bite on his line, Patterson thought he had a big wiper fish because that’s what they had been fishing for and that type of fish is known to fight back. He says it took about 25 minutes to reel it in.
It weighed 4 pounds more than the previous record-holder that a bowfisher caught in 2016 in Milford Reservoir.
LEAWOOD, Kan. (AP) — The contents of the suburban Kansas City home of a pro racecar driver imprisoned for running an illegal $2 billion payday loan operation are going up for sale later this month as the government recovers assets to pay back cheated consumers.
The estate sale for Scott Tucker’s house in Leawood, Kanas, runs from June 28 to 30. Internal Revenue Service agents took possession of the $2.1 million 4,500-square-foot house in March. Items for sale include designer furniture and clothing, artwork and gym equipment. The home itself isn’t part of the sale.
Prosecutors say the former American Le Mans Series champion preyed on vulnerable borrowers and used the lending business proceeds to finance a professional auto racing team. He’s serving more than 16 years in prison on fraud and other charges.
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred May 16 and after asking the public for help have located and arrested a suspect.
Just after 8p.m. May 16, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 Block of SE 23rd Street in Topeka in reference a disturbance and argument between two people known to one another. One of them had been shot, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
Upon officers arrival police located an adult male victim suffering from a non-life threating gunshot wound.
Officers interviewed witnesses, the victim and collected evidence from the scene.
Just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday, officers in the area of the shooting recognize the suspect identified as 36-year-old Jessica Spencer and were able to take her into custody without incident. She was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.
Jessica Spencer photo Topeka PD
Just before 8p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to a residence in the 1500 Block of SE 23rd Street in Topeka in reference a disturbance and argument between two people known to one another, according to Lt. Andrew Beightel.
While enroute to the call a person that was at the scene called into police dispatch and advised that one of the parties had been shot. Upon officers arrival they located an adult male victim suffering from a non-life threating gunshot wound. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Officers interviewed witnesses, the victim and collected evidence from the scene. Through the investigation it was discovered that this incident was a result from the argument that citizens originally had called in.
Officers are now looking to speak with 36-year-old Jessica Joann Spencer in connection with this incident. If you know her whereabouts or any information on this incident please contact the Topeka Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at (785) 368-9400 or Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007. You can also make anonymous tips online at www.p3tips.com/128
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on child porn allegations.
Jurado-Garcia-photo Barton Co.
Detectives with the Great Bend Police Department received information in reference to the possession of child pornography by a suspect in Great Bend, began investigating and received additional assistance from the local officials with Department for Children and Families, according to a media release.
Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for an individual’s cellphone contents. A preliminary search of the device confirmed the child pornography on the phone.
On Tuesday, police arrested 31-year-old Juan Manuel Jurado Garcia on requested charges of sexual exploitation of a child and him booked into the Barton County Detention Center with a bond set at $50,000.
HUTCHINSON— A man on community corrections for aggravated assault for a case from 2016 was arrested once again in another domestic case.
Cantu-photo Reno County
Deangelo Cantu, 22, is accused of battering his girlfriend, punching her in the face and cracking her tooth. Cantu fled before police arrived.
Police were familiar with his his black pickup. They conducted a traffic stop and believed he was under the influence of alcohol, according to statements in court Wednesday.
Cantu faces potential charges that include aggravated battery, driving under the influence and driving while suspended. Cantu is on corrections for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly threatening another person with a gun in September 2016.
WASHINGTON —U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Thursday announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will relocate the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to the Kansas City Region, according to a media release from the USDA.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue photo USDA
“Following a rigorous site selection process, the Kansas City Region provides a win win – maximizing our mission function by putting taxpayer savings into programmatic outputs and providing affordability, easy commutes, and extraordinary living for our employees,” said Secretary Perdue.
Kansas First District Congressman Roger Marshall said of the News on Twitter, “Great team effort by so many people to make this happen. Shout out to @KState and @KUnews in working so diligently with our federal delegation to help make the case for Kansas City. Agriculture and Kansas are truly synonymous – so we thank you, @SecretarySonny!
“The Kansas City Region has proven itself to be hub for all things agriculture and is a booming city in America’s heartland. There is already a significant presence of USDA and federal government employees in the region, including the Kansas City ‘Ag Bank’ Federal Reserve.
This agriculture talent pool, in addition to multiple land-grant and research universities within driving distance, provides access to a stable labor force for the future. The Kansas City Region will allow ERS and NIFA to increase efficiencies and effectiveness and bring important resources and manpower closer to all of our customers.”
USDA conducted a Cost Benefit Analysis and conservative estimates show a savings of nearly $300 million nominally over a 15-year lease term on employment costs and rent or about $20 million per year, which will allow more funding for research of critical needs like rural prosperity and agricultural competitiveness, and for programs and employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets. On top of that, state and local governments offered generous relocation incentives packages totaling more than $26 million. Finally, this relocation will give USDA the opportunity to attract a diverse staff with training and interest in agriculture. To learn more about USDA’s Cost Benefit Analysis, you may view the USDA Cost Benefit Analysis document (PDF, 143 KB).
“We did not undertake these relocations lightly, and we are doing it to enhance long-term sustainability and success of these agencies. The considerable taxpayer savings will allow us to be more efficient and improve our ability to retain more employees in the long run. We will be placing important USDA resources closer to many stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from Washington, D.C. In addition, we are increasing the probability of attracting highly-qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities. We look forward to this new chapter as we seek to fulfill our motto at USDA, which is to ‘do right and feed everyone,’” added Secretary Perdue.
Secretary Perdue sent this letter (PDF, 39.1 KB) to all USDA employees this morning and will be holding an all hands meeting with ERS and NIFA employees today to discuss the decision, the process, and next steps.
In addition, USDA announced in August the realignment of ERS under the Office of the Chief Economist. While we believe there is considerable synergies and benefits to a realignment, after hearing feedback from stakeholders and Members of Congress, USDA will not move forward with the realignment plans. The agency of ERS will remain under the Research, Education, and Economics mission area.
Background:
USDA announced in August it would undertake the relocations for three main reasons:
To improve USDA’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified staff with training and interests in agriculture, many of whom come from land-grant universities. USDA has experienced significant turnover in these positions, and it has been difficult to recruit employees to the Washington, D.C. area, particularly given the high cost of living and long commutes.
To place these important USDA resources closer to many of our stakeholders, most of whom live and work far from the Washington, D.C. area.
To benefit the American taxpayers. There will be significant savings on employment costs and rent, which will allow more employees to be retained in the long run, even in the face of tightening budgets.
Quality of Life: Subcategory examples include Diversity Index, Residential Housing Costs, Access to Healthcare, and Home and Community Safety Ranking.
Costs (Capital and Operating): Subcategory examples include Commercial Real Estate Costs, CPI Index, and Wage Costs.
Workforce: Subcategory examples include Labor Force Growth Rate, Unemployment Rate, and the Labor Force Population.
Logistics / IT Infrastructure: Subcategory examples include Lodging Availability, Proximity to Customers, and Airport Accessibility.
The top Expressions of Interest were reviewed in detail, and USDA selected a short list of locationsoffering existing buildings with sufficient space to meet ERS and NIFA requirements.
While 90% of USDA employees are located outside of the D.C. area, ERS and NIFA are the only USDA agencies that don’t have representation outside of the national Capital Region (NCR). Upon the relocation announcement, USDA proposed that sufficient staff levels would remain in the NCR to complete mission critical activities that require physical presence in or near Washington, D.C. at the recommendation of customers and stakeholders. In both the cases of ERS and NIFA, leadership reviewed the critical functions and staffing needs within and outside the NCR. Senior ERS and NIFA staff, with input from partner agencies and stakeholders, recommended to Secretary Perdue the critical functions to be retained within the NCR.
Out of NIFA’s 315 positions, 294 will relocate while 21 will stay in the NCR. Of the 329 ERS positions, 253 will relocate while 76 will stay in the Washington, D.C. area.
As a result of this move, no ERS or NIFA employees will be involuntarily separated. Every employee who wants to continue working will have an opportunity to do so, although that will mean moving to a new location for most. Employees will be offered relocation assistance and will receive the same base pay as before, and the locality pay for the new location.
USDA will be working with the General Services Administration to secure a permanent lease space through a competitive process in the Kansas City Region. USDA will continue to keep ERS and NIFA employees apprised as updates occur.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday in Kansas charges a Massachusetts man with distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Anthony Stokes, 32, South Deerfield, Ma., is charged with five counts of distributing fentanyl and five counts of selling counterfeit drugs. The indictment alleges the crimes took place during December 2018 through Feb. 2019 in Wyandotte County, Kan.
The indictment alleges Stokes sold 114 tablets with counterfeit identifying marks belonging to Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. The tablets contained more than 14.6 grams of fentanyl.
Stokes was arrested June 11 in Massachusetts.
If convicted, he faces a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on the fentanyl charge and up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the counterfeit drug charges.
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A man who used fake nurse credentials to get jobs at three health care facilities has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison.
Benjamin Danneman / photo Illinois Dpt. of Corrections
Benjamin Danneman, 38, of Eureka, Mo., pleaded guilty in March to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft and Social Security fraud. He was sentenced Wednesday in federal court.
Danneman used the name of a real nurse and made other false claims to obtain jobs at Sherbrooke Village in St. Louis County and the Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis. He also was assistant director of nursing at the Quarters of Des Peres, a 122-bed nursing home.
Court records say Danneman never had any license to provide medical services.
Danneman is already serving a prison sentence in Illinois for crimes that include attempted burglary and theft.
