FORD COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Ford County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Mazda 3 driven by Robert Cintron-Vazquez, 21 Dodge City, was westbound in the outside lane on U400 just east of U.S. 56 at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle passed a vehicle and got back into the outside lane. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle left the roadway to the right, entered the north ditch, struck a culvert and rolled multiple times.
Cintron-Vazquez was transported to the hospital in Dodge City where he died. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
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FORD COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatality accident that occurred just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday in Ford County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was westbound in the outside lane on U400 just east of U.S. 56 at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle passed a vehicle and got back into the outside lane. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle left the roadway to the right, entered the north ditch, struck a culvert and rolled multiple times.
The KHP did release additional details early Sunday.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man serving time on numerous convictions was ordered to serve an additional 21 months on top of the seven years he’s already serving.
Matthew Gulick, 31, was convicted of criminal possession of a firearm and misdemeanor possession of marijuana for a case from Nov. 22, 2016. He reportedly had a Glock 9 mm handgun at the time of his arrest.
His attorney asked for a departure even though he has a criminal history score of “A” — which is given to those with an extensive history of criminal activity. According to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, he has 26 felony convictions for which he’s serving time. That includes numerous burglaries, thefts, distribution of drugs, and even aggravated intimidation of a witness.
District Judge Trish Rose denied the motion and, under Kansas law, the 1-year, 11-month sentence handed down Friday will run consecutively to the seven years he’s serving now.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a stabbing.
Just after 5:30a.m. Saturday, Stormont Vail Hospital notified Topeka Police of a 38-year-old man who walked into the Emergency Department with a stab wound to the chest.
Officers arrived and spoke to the white male, who was not forthcoming when answering the questions of officers.
He indicated the wounds were from a fall onto a glass bottle and would not provide a location in which the incident occurred.
Further investigation revealed the case address to be 3906 SE Freemont in Topeka Kansas.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Topeka Police.
OGALLALA, Neb. (AP) — A 22-year-old Kansas man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide charges for the crash deaths of four Iowa residents in western Nebraska.
The North Platte Telegraph reports that Jeser Cisneros-Hernandez, of Liberal, Kansas, entered the pleas Friday in Keith County District Court.
Cisneros-Hernandez is charged with four counts of motor-vehicle homicide, reckless driving and driving left of the center of the road. Prosecutors say hit two motorcycles carrying two people each on July 1 near Ogallala.
Authorities say 54-year-old Sheila Matheny a
nd 61-year-old James Matheny, from Bedford, Iowa, were on one motorcycle. The other riders were 58-year-old Michal Weese and 59-year-old Jerolyn Weese, who lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Cisneros-Hernandez’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 8.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Wichita Police Department (WPD) officer was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail Friday evening on charges of misdemeanor official misconduct and stalking.
The arrest was made by Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office after WPD requested them to investigate potential criminal conduct by the officer, according to a media release from officer Charley Davidson.
The officer arrested 46-year-old Joshua Price, according to the Sedgwick County booking report is a 21-year veteran of the WPD and, per department policy, is on paid administrative leave.
WPD officials requested the matter be investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, as part of a collaborative agreement made earlier this year to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.
The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission has added seven artists to the official Kansas Touring Roster, a directory of Kansas artists which helps match artists with venues.
“The Kansas Touring Roster represents the best in Kansas arts and culture. If you are an artist, becoming a member of the roster helps you to be found by presenting organizations in communities across the state and the region. If you are a presenting organization, the roster provides assurance that featured program offerings meet high standards for both artistic quality and community impact,” said Peter Jasso, Director of the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.
The newly added artists, which range from music and dance performers to authors and visual artists, include:
Angela Pickman – Visual Arts / Lawrence
Angie Pickman is a nationally recognized cut paper artist that combines the art of traditional paper cutting with collage to create intricately detailed works of art and animations. She exhibits at galleries and art fairs nationally, does illustration, animation and design work, conducts public presentations on her art, and teaches various art classes and workshops. Her work has been featured in Midwest Living and Martha Stewart Living magazines, and her animation work was featured in Daughters of the Forest, a PBS documentary, in the summer of 2016.
Annette Hope Billings – Literature / Topeka
Annette Hope Billings is an award-winning author and actress who infuses elements of theater to present her original poetry and prose. Dubbed “Maya of the Midwest” by audiences, she has published two books of poetry with a third due in winter of 2017. Awards to date include Renna Hunter acting award, Topeka ARTSConnect ARTY Award in Literature, and Troy Scroggins Award. She has also been published in numerous journals and several anthologies.
Carswell & Hope – Music / Lawrence
With Irish frontman Nick Carswell, Carswell & Hope mix big vocal harmonies and rich arrangements with inventive songwriting and a fearless mix of pop, rock and experimental. Their debut LP, A Hunger, was hailed as “a breath of fresh air” (iheartlocalmusic.com) and “an audacious debut” (Deli Magazine).
Erin Mae Music – Music / Wichita
Erin Mae is a mountain dulcimer virtuosa who has taken an obscure American folk instrument, and with it has developed a high level of technical proficiency and musical expression. Erin has been playing for over twenty years and in that time has developed a unique and progressive style. She is a member of the nationally-touring groups Scenic Roots and S.E.A.
Maura Garcia – Dance / Lawrence
Dancer/choreographer Maura Garcia collaborates within communities to create stories of identity and place. Originally from North Carolina, Maura is an Indigenous woman (non-enrolled Cherokee/ Mattamuskeet) who brings her own mixed-blood southern story to all of her work. She collaborates to create multi-media, interactive shows and engage via arts projects and experiential workshops involving everyone in the creative process. Maura uses her art to form connections, to uplift Indigenous cultural values and to explore the rhythms of the natural world.
Poke Salad Orchestra – Music / Fairway
The Poke Salad Orchestra is a string trio that is firmly rooted in American traditions of old-time, country and early popular music. An orchestra in the humblest sense, their spontaneous approach to music ranges from down-home to downright harrowing, as they navigate musical twists and turns at sometimes breakneck speed. The group’s three-way rapport, combined with individual command of their instruments, draws listeners in and envelopes them in the sound of strings being coaxed to their limits.
WC String Quartet – Music / Peabody
The WC String Quartet plays everything from Mozart to Jazz to Sufi chants. An innovative group, the members are all fine classical musicians, but are also adept at improvising and enjoy exploring a wide variety of genres of music. They are all seasoned music educators and delight in working with others. The WC String Quartet has been together for ten years and has played at a variety of events. They are all consummate musicians, educators, and are involved in arts organizations and projects across the region, bringing a creative and joyful spirit to their performances.
ABOUT THE KANSAS TOURING ROSTER
The Kansas Creative Arts Industries, a division of The Kansas Department of Commerce, maintains an approved Touring Roster of Kansas-based touring companies and artists. In this program, the artist or artist’s management sets the fee and negotiates the booking. Applicants must have a history of touring and maintain a reasonable fee range.
Roster artists are required to perform outside their community regularly. Touring artists offer single performances or exhibitions as well as complementary services that may include workshops, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, arts education components, residencies, or short performances.
SUMNER COUNTY— The U.S. Geological Survey reported four small earthquakes in portions of Kansas and in northern Oklahoma.
The most recent of the quakes was a pair of 2.5 quake southwest of Caldwell in Sumner County Kansas at 2:15p.m. and at 11:03 a.m. Saturday. The agency initially rated the temblor at 3.2.
No injuries or damage are reported.
The survey also recorded a magnitude 2.7 quake near Byron, OK., at 7:54 a.m. Saturday and a magnitude 2.6 temblor at 11:51 p.m. Friday northwest of Guthrie.
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years, with many linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production operations. Oklahoma regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas reports that its unemployment rate dropped slightly to 3.8 percent in September but the state saw a small decline in the number of private-sector jobs over the previous year.
The state Department of Labor says the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate last month was lower than August’s rate of 3.9 percent and the 4.3 percent rate for September 2016. Monthly unemployment rates this year have remained below those for last year.
But the number of private-sector, non-farm jobs was 5,000 lower in September than in September 2016. The decrease was 0.4 percent.
It was the sixth consecutive month with lower private-sector job numbers than in 2016.
But Department of Labor officials said Friday that the state is maintaining a healthy labor market that was stronger in September than in August.
PRATT – The key to a successful upland bird hunting season is flexibility. Scouting and locating new hunting areas will definitely add birds to your bag, and with the 2017 Kansas Hunting Atlas, Kansas State Park Guide, and 2017 Kansas Hunting and Furharvesting Regulations Summary in hand, you have almost infinite possibilities.
Pheasant, quail and greater prairie chickens, for the most part, found good to excellent nesting and brood-rearing conditions this spring and summer, so the hunting forecast is positive. However, as always, there were weather incidents, such as hail, a late-April snowstorm, and heavy rains that affected populations locally. If this happened in an area you usually hunt, traveling just 30 miles could be the difference between disappointment and great hunting.
Check out the 2017 Upland Bird Forecast and you’ll see regional predictions on bird numbers based on spring and summer surveys. Use the atlas to find public hunting areas and Walk-in Hunting Access (WIHA) areas in the good regions. However, even if the area you select has abundant public access, finding good hunting still requires some scouting. A pre-season drive-through can help you pinpoint good fields. Remember that WIHA lands are open only to hunting and only during dates specified in the atlas and on posted signs.
Once you’ve figured out where to hunt, the next step will be figuring out where to stay. Now is the time to make plans. Lodging can be limited in many rural areas of western Kansas, as some motel rooms are often reserved a year in advance during the first two weeks of the season. However, there are other options. Kansas has 26 state parks scattered around the state, and many are right in the middle of some of the best hunting. They are also conveniently located near large public wildlife areas that surround federal reservoirs.
For hunters with an RV, Kansas state parks can be the perfect base camp. Call ahead now to find out what hook-ups are available this winter at the state park you’re considering. Some have heated showerhouses open through the winter. If you don’t have an RV, there are more than 100 cabins available for rent in Kansas state parks. You can learn more about state park cabins and availability at www.ksoutdoors.com.
Deluxe cabins offer full amenities, including heat, air conditioning, a full kitchen and bathrooms. Rustic cabins and yurts offer beds, electricity, and heating and air conditioning. Some Rustic cabins may also have a refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker. And all rustic cabins are located near a showerhouse.
If you’re a tent camper, state parks provide ample primitive camping sites. Keep in mind that camping is allowed only in designated areas on public hunting areas.
All of us have at one time or another thought about hunting a different part of the state, either because we’ve heard good things or we just wanted to see new country. This is the year to do it. Grab an atlas and forecast and find a part of the state you’ve always wanted to explore.
GRETNA, La. (AP) — Trial for the suspect in last year’s shooting death of former NFL player Joe McKnight has been scheduled for Jan. 16.
Fifty-five-year-old Ronald Gasser faces a second-degree murder charge in McKnight’s death on Dec. 1, 2016.
Authorities have said McKnight and Gasser drove erratically and yelled at each other in a traffic confrontation before the shooting. They say the confrontation took place as they traveled over a Mississippi River bridge in New Orleans and onto roads in a neighboring district.
Prosecutors have cast Gasser as the aggressor. Gasser’s attorneys say he shot in self-defense.
New Orleans news outlets report the trial had been set next month but both sides requested more time to prepare.
McKnight played three seasons for the New York Jets and one with the Kansas City Chiefs.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for help to locate suspects.
Just after 8 p.m. Thursday, police responded to the 1100 Block of East Crowley in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
A 26-year-old pizza delivery driver told police he had completed a delivery to a residence when a dark SUV drove up and two suspects got out. One suspect had a gun and demanded money. The suspects took the delivery driver’s cash and drove away. There were no injuries.
One suspect is described a 6-foot tall black male wearing blue jeans and a red shirt. The other black male suspect was skinny, 6-foot tall and wore a black shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wichita Police.
Marvel Comics Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962), signed by Stan Lee.
CRANSTON, R.I. – An astounding collection of Hasbro G.I. Joe action figure dolls from the collection of a former Hasbro employee in Rhode Island, plus a copy of Marvel Comics Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962, the first appearance of Spider-Man, signed by Stan Lee), plus other rare and highly collectible comics, will headline a Fall Toy, Comic & Comic Art Auction slated for Saturday, Oct. 28th, by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, starting at 12 o’clock noon Eastern time.
Over 300 lots of pop culture items, curated from collections across the country, will cross the auction block that day. The sale will be held in Bruneau & Co.’s gallery, at 63 Fourth Avenue in Cranston. Internet bidding will be facilitated by Bidlive.Bruneauandco.com, Invaluable.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Bidsquare.com. Phone and absentee (left) bids will also be accepted.
A strong candidate for top lot of the auction promises to be the copy of Marvel Comics Amazing Fantasy issue #15 (Aug.1962), signed by legendary comic illustrator Stan Lee and witnessed on Nov. 12, 2016. (est. $8,000-$12,000). The book, graded CBCS 2.5, featured the first appearance and the origin of Spider-Man, along with Aunt May, Uncle Ben, Flash Thompson and Liz Allen.
Hasbro G.I. Joe Action Soldier West Point Cadet equipment set from 1968.
Other expected top performers include a fine example of a Hasbro G.I. Joe Action Soldier West Point Cadet equipment set from 1968, the second release with a solid photo box, factory sealed (est. $800-$1,200); and a circa-1967 Hasbro Action Joe State Trooper uniform, factory sealed in its original Hasbro bag, marked “Made in Hong Kong”, offered only thru Sears (est. $400-$600).
Other G.I. Joe items expected to do well include an individually carded 1964 Action Pilot dress uniform, a factory-sealed Race Car Driver uniform; and a circa 1967 Hasbro Action Marine 7727 Rifle-Rack equipment set, in excellent condition and factory-sealed, with G.I. Joe helmet form sticker, as well as an Action Marine mess kit (est. $600-$900).
“Whether you collect comics, G.I. Joe or Star Wars, there is a rarity offered in every category that’s sure to drive collectors crazy in this auction,” said Travis Landry, Bruneau & Co. specialist and auctioneer. Kevin Bruneau, the company president, added, “It’ll be a great sale, filled with memories that bring a guy like myself right back to his childhood. Surely fun will be had by all.”
The auction will open with over 50 lots of vintage toys, including Hasbro G.I. Joe, Mattel He-Man Masters of the Universe, Bandai Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Kenner Star Wars.
Featured lots will include a French 1978 Meccano Star Wars 20 Back Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi figure, AFA 85 (est. $1,000-$2,000), an Argentinian 1983 Top Toys Star Wars Return of the Jedi Stormtrooper (AFA 80) and a 1984 factory-sealed He-Man Masters of the Universe Leech action figure made in Mexico and the U.S. (est. $200-$300), the red crossbow variant, graded C8-C8.5.
1992 Bandai Megazord and Dragonzord gift set, made in Japan, factory sealed
Within the vintage toy section will be a collection of unused and AFA-graded Mighty Morphin Power Rangers collectibles, highlighted by a 1992 Bandai Megazord and Dragonzord gift set, made in Japan and in unused dead stock condition, entirely factory sealed (est. ($800-$1,200); and the collection of ‘60s-era Hasbro G.I. Joes from the Rhode Island former Hasbro employee.
Frank Miller’s blank variant sketch of Batman in bust, drawn with cowl and cape.
The second portion of the catalog will feature more than 240 lots of Silver, Bronze, Copper and Modern age D.C. and Marvel comics, to include titles from Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Aquaman, Batman, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Journey Into Mystery, Justice League, Tales to Astonish, Tales of Suspense, X-Force, X-Factor, New Mutants and other rare titles.
Individual comics will feature a copy of Marvel Comics X-Men issue #1 (Sept. 1963), with the first appearance of Magneto and the X-Men, and the X-Men’s origin, signed by Stan Lee with a witness, graded CBCS 5.0 (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a copy of Marvel Comics Avengers issue #1 (Sept. 1963), with the first appearance of the Avengers, graded CBCS 5.0 (est. $2,000-$3,000).
Other comics will include copies of Incredible Hulk issue #181 (CBCS 7.0), Fantastic Four issue #52 (CBCS 6.5), and Amazing Spider-Man issue #14 (CBCS 3.5). Comic art will include works by great illustrators such as Frank Miller, Neal Adams, Craig Rousseau, Norman Lee and others. Frank Miller’s blank variant sketch of Batman in bust, with cowl and cape, drawn on a signed copy D.C. Comics Dark Knight III: The Master Race issue #1, should make $700-$1,000.
Previews will be held on Thursday, Oct. 26th, from 9-5; Friday, Oct. 27th, from noon to 9 pm; and Saturday, Oct. 28th, the date of auction, from 8 am until the start of sale at 12 noon Eastern sharp.
To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the October 28 toy and comic auction, visit www.bruneauandco.com. To contact Bruneau & Co. via e-mail, use [email protected].
BARTON COUNTY— A Kansas woman died in an accident Friday evening in Barton County.
In a media release, the Barton County Sheriff’s Department reported just after 6:15 P.M. Friday, deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of US 281 Highway and South East 50 Road, just south of the City of Great Bend. Upon arrival Sheriff’s officers discovered a three vehicle accident.
Investigation at the scene, supported by witness statements indicates a 2005 Nissan Altima driven by Julie Kanady, age 57 of Hutchinson was eastbound on Southeast 50 Road. Witnesses stated the Kanady vehicle did not stop at the stop sign on the west side of the highway. Upon entering the intersection Kanady’s vehicle collided with two other vehicles, one northbound and one southbound.
The southbound 2014 Buick Verano was operated by Jonathan Martínez-Orozco age 15 of Great Bend. The northbound 2001 Ford Ranger pickup operated by Conrad Montoya III, age 18, also of Great Bend was also struck by the Kanady vehicle.
Julie Kanady was pronounced dead at the scene by Barton County Coroner Dr. E.L. Jones. Martinez Orozco was transported to Great Bend regional Hospital and later released. Conrad Montoya III was transferred to Via Christi Medical Center in Wichita with serious injuries.
US 281 Highway was closed for approximately two hours in order to conduct the traffic investigation and remove debris. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Great Bend Fire Department and EMS units and one unit from a Kansas Highway Patrol. The accident is still under investigation at this time. Alcohol is not considered a contributing factor.
