By Paige Henderson
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — Jacquie Fernandez-Lenati, the great niece of prominent labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, gave a powerful speech Wednesday, April 3, about the importance of Hispanic civic engagement at the eighth annual Hispanic Day at the Capitol.

Hispanic Day at the Capitol is a free-to-the-public event hosted by the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission as a way to celebrate the additions and accomplishments made possible by the Hispanic and Latino communities in Kansas.

We had a great time today at Hispanic Day at the Capitol with Gov. @LauraKellyKS, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla, and Acting Secretary of Labor Delia García. National Committeewoman Teresa Krusor also hosted the @KDPLatinoVote Caucus! pic.twitter.com/gNWblP1xEK

— Kansas Dems (@KansasDems) April 3, 2019

Dolores Huerta was a leader in the Chicano civil rights movement and a co-founder of the United Farm Workers labor union. Her great niece, Fernandez-Lenati, encouraged the audience to “show up” as Hispanic and Latino citizens.

“The power is in the person. It’s not in the title. It’s not in the position — it’s the person,” Fernandez-Lenati said. “I became an activist before I could even read.”

Fernandez-Lenati reinforced the importance of voting and letting Latinx voices be heard.

“You don’t have to run for office to impact change,” Fernandez-Lenati said.

She also encouraged the Hispanic and Latino community to support other minorities, such as the LGBTQ and African American communities.

“When minorities join together, we become the majority,” Fernandez-Lenati said.

Other prominent speakers included Acting Secretary for the Kansas Department of Labor Delia Garcia, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla and Evergy CEO Terry Bassham.

Richard Martinez, the interim executive director of the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, took time to recognize each speaker and reinforced the importance of Fernandez-Lenati’s words.

“You have to be confident and know that you have a place at the table,” Martinez said.

The Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission was established in 1975 in the effort to eliminate official neglect and provide opportunities for Hispanic advancement in Kansas.

“At the end of the day, we have more in common than not,” Fernandez-Lenati said. “We have to shift our thinking to the next level.”

Paige Henderson is a University of Kansas senior from Lenexa majoring in journalism.

MCPHERSON, Kan. (AP) — Charges have been dismissed against a 27-year-old man accused in an April 2017 death of a central Kansas man.

First-degree murder and other charges against Travis Ryan Belt were dismissed Friday without prejudice, which means charges could be filed again.

Belt, of Little River is charged in the death of 58-year-old Steven Carlson of McPherson. Carlson was found dead in his home in April 2017. The dismissal will allow further testing of DNA found at the scene.

Prosecutors said Belt used Carlson’s truck to shoplift at a Walmart the day before Carlson’s body was found.

Belt remains incarcerated in the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility on charges stemming from unrelated cases.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A horse whose dismembered remains were found in a Kansas City park was a family pet that was pregnant.

Miguel Valdez told WDAF-TV that breaking the news to his children was difficult. But he said it was equally disturbing to go to animal control and identify the mare, named Senaida, which the family had owned for nine years. He says he’s “upset and angry.” The horse was at a friend’s farm in Kansas City, Kansas, when it went missing.

A man playing disc golf found the animal’s remains a week ago in Kessler Park. Police there say the horse appeared to have been prepared for consumption. After the meat was removed, the carcass was placed in a barrel and dumped in the park.

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KANSAS CITY (AP) — Animal control officers in Kansas City are investigating how the dismembered remains of a horse ended up in a city park.

A man playing disc golf found the remains Monday evening in Kessler Park.

Police spokesman Capt. Tim Hernandez says the horse appeared to have been prepared for consumption. After the meat was removed, the carcass was placed in a barrel and dumped in the park.

The horse’s head, hooves, legs, entrails, ribs and lungs were scattered in the area.

Hernandez said in a news release that a veterinarian will determine the time and cause of the horse’s death.

Animal control will lead the investigation unless it is determined the horse was stolen.

By DAN MARGOLIES 

Kansas will have to cough up more than $168,000 in legal fees over its attempt to prevent the publication of investigative files related to the murders portrayed in Truman’ Capote’s book “In Cold Blood.”

The book, which Capote called a nonfiction novel, brought decades of attention to the slayings of four members of the Clutter family in their Holcomb, Kansas, home in 1959.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend accident that injured a 15-year-old boy.

Just after 11:40a.m. Sunday, police responded to a call for Emergency Medical Services near the intersection of 9th and Christine, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, first responders found a 15-year-old boy in the street with critical injuries and a citizen rendering assistance.

The boy was transported to a local hospital and remains hospitalized Monday with critical injuries, according to Davidson.

After speaking to multiple witnesses, investigators learned a 16-year-old was driving a Mazda 626 westbound on 9th Street and pulling the 15-year-old on a skateboard who was holding on through an open window on the passenger side. A second 15-year-old boy was holding onto the vehicle though an open window on the driver’s side.

The boy on the driver’s side was able to let go of the vehicle and safely stop his skateboard. The other 15-year-old lost control of his skateboard, fell and struck his head on the ground. He was not wearing a helmet, according to Davidson.

Speed and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the incident, according to Davidson. Police will present the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.

GEARY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating five juveniles and four adults on drug and alcohol allegations.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a cabin at Acorns Resort and RV Park in the 3000 Block of Farnum Creek Road at Milford Lake in reference to juveniles drinking and possibly smoking marijuana, according to a media release.

Deputies arrested five juveniles from Abilene including two girls on allegations ranging from suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession Drug Paraphernalia to Minor in Possession of Alcohol to Interference with Law Enforcement and another girl on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia and Minor in Possession Alcohol.

Deputies arrested a boy for suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Minor in Possession of Alcohol, while another boy was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Identity Theft, and two counts of Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Deputies also arrested four adults including Colton Mcvan, 18, Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct; Chase Mason, 18, Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct; Riley Kopfer, 19, Clay Center, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct; David Pinedo, 18,  Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.

PARK CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a motorcyclist has died after crashing on a Kansas raceway.

The crash happened around 1 p.m. Sunday at the Jeeps Motorcycle Club raceway in Park City. Police Sgt. Richard Wolff says paramedics responded and performed CPR on the 30-year-old but he didn’t survive. His name wasn’t immediately released.

Wolff says it’s not yet known if the man crashed and died of a medical condition, or if he died of injuries related to the crash.

The nonprofit, member owned club announced in a Facebook post that the decision was made to call the remainder of the races Sunday. The post says the club’s “thoughts and prayers go out to the racers family and friends”

Park City is located on the northern edge of the Wichita area.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement and school district officials are investigating an alleged school threat at a Kansas high school

On Sunday, information began coming into the Topeka Police Department of a social media post that appeared to be a vailed threat of violence targeted at Topeka High School, according to Lt. Aaron Jones.

Officers were able to locate the source of the post. A juvenile male was taken into custody and interviewed. There is no current threat of violence to the school as a result of this post.

“While this may have turned out to be something other than it appeared to be when seen on social media; we are very grateful for all the notifications and calls we received from parents, students, staff and all other concerned citizens,” according to Lt. Jones.

There will be an increased police presence at the school Monday, according to USD 501.

JACKSON COUNTY— Kansas sheriff’s deputy was injured while investigating an accident Saturday.

Just after 8:30p.m., the deputy was on the scene of a non-injury accident involving a 1997 Toyota Corolla and a deer on U.S. 75 north of 278th Road in Jackson County, according to sheriff Tim Morse.

A southbound 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck failed to properly yield to emergency personnel and struck the deputy. The vehicle’s mirror struck the left arm of the deputy.

The deputy was able to complete the investigation of the first accident prior to being evaluated by medical staff. The pickup driver was cited for failing to yield to emergency personnel. The fine for failing to yield to emergency vehicles is $303.00 including court costs, according to Morse.

The sheriff also reminded drivers “Fortunately, this incident did not result in tragedy. However, the situation presents a good time to remind motorists to drive in due regard to the safety of our highway workers and public safety personnel.”

JEFFERSON COUNTY — A Kansas school district superintendent was arrested for alleged DUI over the weekend.

Just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, The Kansas Highway Patrol arrested 55-year-old Dr. Martin Stessman, the superintendent at USD 450 Tecumseh after a 911 call reporting a reckless driver on Interstate 70, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Just after 10:30p.m., Stessman was booked into jail, posted the $1000 bond and was released just before midnight.

USD 450 released no statement on the incident Sunday.

JOHNSON COUNTY — One person died in an accident just after midnight Sunday in Johnson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Ram driven by Nolvin Nain Lopez-Flores, 35, Kansas City, Kansas, was northbound on Interstate 35 at 119th Street in Olathe. The driver lost control, ran off the road to the left, struck the median barrier wall, and became disabled.

A northbound semi 2014 International semi driven by Elmer A. Reuse,62, Buckner, MO., did not see disabled pickup lane and struck it.

Lopez-Flores was pronounced dead at the scene. Reuse was properly restrained at the time of the accident and not injured, according to the KHP.

JACKSON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly recording victims in a restroom on multiple occasions.

On November 1st, 2018, Jackson Co. Sheriff’s Deputies and investigators served search warrants on two homes including Wathen’s residence east of Mayetta, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

Deputies confiscated computers and other electronics during the search.

On Friday, Kerry Wathen Jr., 52, was jailed on requested charges that include two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of breach of privacy, according to Morse.

Wathen paid a $10,000 bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.