FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on attempted burglary and related charges.

On Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 1700 block of Main Street in Garden City reference a burglary in progress, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, they observed a woman go into the residence. Officers ordered the woman out of the residence, and when she did come out, she produced a knife.

Officers ordered the woman later identified as Keri Coulter, 38, transient to drop the knife. Coulter refused and then went back into the residence. Several minutes later, Coulter again came outside of the residence, but would not adhere to the officer’s commands.

A Police Service Dog was used in taking Coulter into custody. Coulter was taken to St. Catherine Hospital, treated and released for minor injuries.

The investigation revealed Coulter had been released from the Kansas Department of Corrections on September 28, 2017, for Battery of a Law Enforcement Officer. The owners of the residence had also banned Coulter from the residence. Coulter was booked into the Finney County Jail on the requested charges of Attempted Burglary, Interference with LEO, Criminal Threats and Criminal Trespass.

She has a previous conviction for criminal threat, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

CLAY COUNTY — A Kansas woman died in an accident just after 8p.m. Wednesday in Clay County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1990 Chevy Silverado driven by Zachary Howard. 28, Clay Center, was westbound on Kansas 82 eleven miles south of Clay Center.

The driver failed to stop at a stop sign. The Chevy collided with a 2011 Ford Taurus driven by Mary Elizabeth Rowland, 57, Longford, which was southbound on K-15.

Rowland was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home. Howard was transported to Clay County Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man serving time in prison for second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary faces more charges.

The state has charged 29-year-old Daquan Dean with three counts of battery of a corrections officer for an altercation on July 1, while he was housed at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

One of the victims was a doctor at the facility, according to statements made in Reno County Court.

Dean is not eligible for parole until September 2022. Each count for the Reno County case has a maximum sentence of over 11 years in prison. If convicted, any sentence would run consecutively to his original sentence.

His case will now move to a waiver-status docket on Nov. 1.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged theft from his employer.

Salina Police Capt. Paul Forrester said that Andrew Guebara, 19, an employee at O’Reilly Auto Parts, 2154 Planet Avenue in Salina, was allegedly forging cash returns for items that were never sold. He would then pocket the money. The scheme was uncovered by auditing software.

Authorities say that between Aug. 1 and Sept. 27, Guebara pocketed just under $3,000.

Salina Police arrested Guebara Tuesday. He faces 43 counts of making false information, one count of felony theft and 43 counts of misdemeanor theft, according to Forrester.

SUMNER COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday in Sumner County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Chrysler 300 driven by Adam Bennett, 25, Winfield, was eastbound on U.S. 160 just east of Seneca Road. The vehicle went left of center and hit a westbound semi.

Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frank Funeral Home. The semi driver Timothy Godsey, 57, Wichita, was possibly injured. The KHP did not report where he was treated.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas lawmaker is calling for more communication after Topeka police fatally shot a man during what authorities have described as a struggle.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Democratic Rep. John Alcala, of Topeka, says the city needs to “have a little empathy” and provide a liaison to the family of Dominique Tyrell White. The 30-year-old was fatally shot Thursday near a park. Police say his gun was recovered. White was months out of prison after being prosecuted for burglary and illegal gun possession.

Family spokeswoman Heather Joyce says police in Topeka and Lawrence, which is investigating, aren’t providing any information. Police also have denied requests from The Capital-Journal seeking the identity of officers involved and other records.

Lawrence police say there’s no information to provide while conducting their investigation.

RICHARD LARDNER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — A presidential nominee is defending his decision as Kansas governor to scrap an order that barred discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sam Brownback is in line to be ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. The Republican was testifying on Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Watch Governor Brownback’s testimony here.

A 2007 executive order applied to hiring and employment decisions by agencies under the Kansas governor’s direct control.

Brownback says the Democratic governor at that time, Kathleen Sebelius, acted unilaterally on an issue that state lawmakers should have resolved.

LGBT-rights groups have decried Brownback’s nomination because of his conservative views on issues such as same-sex marriage.

The former senator has made Kansas an economic laboratory for the nation by aggressively cutting taxes.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A former Kansas lawmaker who helped establish a non-profit leadership center is running for the Republican nomination for governor next year.

Former state Rep. Ed O’Malley announced Wednesday that he will launch his campaign with a seven-city tour. The first stop is in Kansas City, Kansas.

O’Malley has been president and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center in Wichita for 10 years. He represented a Johnson County district in the House from 2003 through 2006.

He is the 10th announced Republican candidate. The GOP field includes Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is term-limited and has been nominated for an ambassador’s post by President Donald Trump. His departure would elevate Colyer to governor.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at an apartment and asking the public for information.

Just after 3:30 Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at a residence in the 1100 Block of South Webb in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.  Officers found a 23-year-old man at the scene with a gunshot wound. Emergency crews transported to a hospital for treatment.

An investigation revealed a 22-year-old woman and two unknown suspects arrived at the apartment to meet the victim.  While inside the apartment, one of the suspects pulled a handgun and pointed it at a 20-year-old man also at the apartment and then shot the victim one time.  The woman and two suspects fled the scene in a red 4-door passenger vehicle, according to Davidson.

Late Tuesday, police arrested 21-year-old Dayton Wiederstein, according to the Sedgwick County Jail booking report. He is being held on one count of aggravated battery and felon in possession of a firearm.  Police have also identified a second suspect. Wiederstein has a previous conviction for criminal in possession of a firearm.

The victim has also been released from the hospital.  The incident was drug related, according to Davidson.  Anyone with additional information is asked to call police.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man has pleaded guilty to a baseball bat killing in a downtown Topeka apartment.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that 37-year-old Arthur Lee Ford IV pleaded guilty Tuesday to a reduced charge of intentional second-degree murder in the December killing of 52-year-old Mark Everett Johnson. Ford initially was charged with felony first-degree murder. He also admitted to aggravated burglary.

The prosecution says Ford entered Johnson’s apartment, stole his bank card and his identification, and killed the victim. The coroner testified previously that Johnson died from blunt force injuries to his head. He also was stabbed three times.

An ATM security camera showed Ford using the victim’s bank debit card after his slaying.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 30. He faces more than two decades in prison.

FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fall cleanup scam and alerting the public.

Officials in Garden City reported a resident called the City Administrative Center Wednesday and said someone went to at least one house approximately 20 minutes after public works crews had completed the annual Fall Cleanup in their area and said he was collecting $25 from each residence for this service, according to a social media report.

Officials in Garden City reminded residents the annual Fall Cleanup is a free service. Any fees incurred due to tire rims or extra tree branches (more than one truckload) will be discussed with residents before they are collected. Charges would appear on a utility bill. Public Works employees do not collect fees directly.

If strangers approach you identifying themselves as City Employees, ask to see their City ID badge. If they cannot provide their badge, or if they are asking you for money, please call the Garden City Police Department.