SEDGWICK COUTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident and asking the public for help to identify the driver.
Just after 3a .m. Friday, police responded to an injury hit-and-run accident near the intersection of Kellogg and Webb in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson. A 25-year-old man told police a 22-year-old man was involved with a disturbance at Club Rodeo.
The victim left the club, was walking on Kellogg and westbound possibly, red, Chevy Silverado HD pickup hit him. The driver of the pickup fled the accident scene. Emergency crews transported the victim to a local hospital in critical condition, according to Davidson. Police have few additional details on the accident but want the public to contact them if they can help find the driver or the pickup.
LUMBERTON, N.J. (AP) — The official website for Montgomery Gentry says Troy Gentry, half of the country duo, has died in a New Jersey helicopter crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration says the helicopter crashed into a wooded area Friday afternoon at approximately 1 p.m. near the Flying W Airport in Medford.
The airport also houses a resort and was scheduled to host a concert by the country duo on Friday night. The airport announced the cancellation of the gig Friday afternoon.
The pilot of the helicopter also died.
Gentry was born April 5, 1967, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he met bandmate Eddie Montgomery and formed a group based off their last names.
The duo had success on the country charts, scoring five No. 1 hits. The band was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2009.
A Medford Police Department spokesman says the helicopter pilot was 30-year-old James Evan Robinson, of Meigs, Georgia. Crews removed Robinson’s body from the mangled wreckage after several hours.
Authorities say Gentry was a passenger in the helicopter and crews removed him from the wreckage but he was pronounced dead at a hospital. Gentry was from Kentucky.
The band’s website calls Gentry’s death “tragic” and says details of the crash are unknown.
REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have captured a suspect wanted in connection with an August 30 murder in Kansas City.
Just after 10:30a.m. Friday authorities arrested 25-year-old Zachary Barnes on 260 Road between Shady and Timber south of the small Republic County town of Cuba, according to the Republic County Sheriff’s office.
Officials in Wyandotte County are charging Barnes with 2nd-degree murder, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies took him back to Wyandotte County Friday.
A woman with Barnes, Shannon Dace is still missing.
The sheriff’s department did not release any addition details on the arrest.
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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue a search in north-central Kansas for a suspect wanted in connection with an August 30 murder in Kansas City.
The Republic County Sheriff’s office in a media release reported authorities believe 25-year-old Zachary Barnes and Shannon Dace are still in the region. They are both severely diabetic and are believed to be looking for someone to drive them from the area.
Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes. Dace is described a white female with reddish, brown hair and a slim build.
In addition to searching for Barnes at homes in Scandia and in Concordia, officials with U.S. Marshal’s Service searched locations in the small Republic County communities of Cuba and Agenda, according to the sheriff’s department.
Agenda is just south of Cuba, Kansas in Republic County- google map
After a lockdown Thursday, schools are open in Republic and Cloud County. However, USD 109 reported they will keep students inside during recess, according to the district social media page.
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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Schools officials in Cloud and Republic County are taking appropriate precautions as the law enforcement authorities report they have yet to find a Kansas City murder suspect believed to be in north-central Kansas.
All field trips and activities are still planned as normal at USD 109 in Belleville, according to the district social media page.
Schools will remain secured as usual. However, students will be kept inside for recess simply as a responsible action according to the situation. In case there are concerns caused through social media messages, the district contacted local law enforcement early Friday morning. It was determined that the situation did not deem it necessary to cancel schools.
On Thursday, the Republic County Sheriff’s Dept. received an arrest warrant for 25-year-old Zachary Barnes wanted for a murder that was committed in the Kansas City area, according to a media release from Sheriff Ron Blad.
Deputies went to Scandia to a residence to execute the warrant. The subject fled before they could make an arrest.
The subject was then spotted in Belleville and officers responded to the area of 18th and G. Street where the subject was believed to be in a house. As of 7a.m. subject was still at large.
Zachary Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes.
There have been no shots fired in this county, no hostages, and no school shootings, according to the sheriff’s department. Schools in Cloud and Republic County were notified as a precautionary measure to lock down
Responding agencies include Troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Republic County Sheriff Deputies, Belleville Police Department officers, SRT out of Salina, US Marshalls, and Kansas Wildlife and Park officers.
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REPUBLIC COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to search for a suspect wanted in connection with a murder.
On Thursday, the Republic County Sheriff’s Dept. received an arrest warrant for 25-year-old Zachary Barnes wanted for a murder that was committed in the Kansas City area, according to a media release from Sheriff Ron Blad.
Deputies went to Scandia to a residence to execute the warrant. The subject fled before they could make an arrest.
The subject was then spotted in Belleville and officers responded to the area of 18th and G. Street where the subject was believed to be in a house. As of 5a.m. subject was still at large at this time.
Zachary Barnes is described as a white male, 5-foot 7-inches tall, 160- pounds, brown hair and green eyes.
There have been no shots fired in this county, no hostages, and no school shootings, according to the sheriff’s department. Schools in Cloud and Republic County were notified as a precautionary measure to lock down
Responding agencies include Troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol, Republic County Sheriff Deputies, Belleville Police Department officers, SRT out of Salina, US Marshalls, and Kansas Wildlife and Park officers.
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CLOUD COUNTY — Schools and business are on lockdown in north central Kansas due to police activity and the search for a wanted suspect, according to the Republic County Sheriff’s office. Few details are available.
The Concordia campus of Cloud County Community College reported lockdown procedures were in place just before 4 p.m. Thursday because of a situation in the community.
Just after 5p.m. the college reported that due to the continuing lock down situation, evening classes at the Concordia campus were canceled.
In addition, local law enforcement advised USD 333 in Concordia to remain in lock down until further notice. Students will not be released until the issue is resolved. According to the school district, this procedure is for the safety of all involved.
Check Hays Post for additional details as they become available.
MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake that rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas has been upgraded to magnitude 4.3.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 3.9 after it struck at 9:26 p.m. Thursday near Medford, Oklahoma, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.
The USGS upgraded the magnitude Friday after further review.
Grant County Emergency Management Director Brandon Fetters called the quake “stout,” but said there are no injuries or damage.
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.
State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.
MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake that rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas has been upgraded to magnitude 4.3.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake as magnitude 3.9 after it struck at 9:26 p.m. Thursday near Medford, Oklahoma, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City.
The USGS upgraded the magnitude Friday after further review.
Grant County Emergency Management Director Brandon Fetters called the quake “stout,” but said there are no injuries or damage.
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.
State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.
Location of Thursday’s quake-image Kansas Geological Survey
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MEDFORD, Okla. (AP) — An earthquake has rattled parts of northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports the magnitude-3.9 quake struck about 9 miles southeast of Medford, Oklahoma, on Thursday night.
No injuries or damage was immediately reported. Medford is more than 90 miles north of Oklahoma City.
A smaller 2.5-magnitude earthquake was recorded around 5 p.m. Thursday roughly 10 miles west of Harper, Kansas.
Thousands of earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma in recent years. Many of them have been linked to the underground injection of wastewater from oil and natural gas production operations.
State regulators have directed oil and gas producers to close some wells and reduce injection volumes in others.
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HARRPER COUNTY — An earthquake shook portions of Kansas Thursday afternoon. The quake just before 5p.m. measured a magnitude 2.5 and was centered approximately 17 miles northwest of Harper, U.S. Geological Survey.
It is the first earthquake in Kansas since a 2.3 quake north of Cheney in Segwick County on September 2.
There are no reports of damage or injury from the Thursday’s quake, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an altercation with weapons and are looking for a suspect.
Just before noon Thursday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 1900 Block of North Minneapolis in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.
A 26-year-old woman told police she got into an argument with her 31-year-old boyfriend. During the disturbance, the woman went to her vehicle in the driveway. The suspect threw a rock that damaged the vehicle.
He also stabbed a dog that was in the front yard and fled the residence. Animal control transported the dog for treatment. The prognosis is that the dog will recover, according to Davidson. He did not release the name of the suspect.
Authorities want to talk to the suspect and ask that anyone with information to call police.
TOPEKA – Governor Brownback on Thursday authorized state agencies to grant a 2.5 percent raise to any unclassified employee in the Executive Branch who was left out of the Legislature’s pay plan.
The decision comes after consultation with members of the Governor’s Cabinet, the Director of the Budget, and state employees.
The Governor does not have the legal authority to extend raises to only those classified employees who did not receive an increase from the Legislature, only further legislative action could do that. Therefore, the raise only applies to unclassified workers who fell through the pay plan criteria established by the legislature.
“This effort furthers the Governor’s commitment to rewarding employees for their performance and trust in their employer,” said Secretary of Administration Sarah Shipman said. “The administration is currently looking at the agency budgets for Fiscal Year 2019 to determine how inequities and salary compression can be further addressed. We look forward to working with the 2018 Legislature to further address this situation.”
The pay increases will utilize existing agency funds and take effect the pay period that starts Sunday, September 24th.
While most large agencies will utilize existing funds to allocate the raise via paychecks on an ongoing basis, some agencies will use one-time funds to give a bonus equivalent to the 2.5 percent increase.
Additional information will be provided to employees by agencies, including opportunities for classified employees to receive a pay increase by voluntarily accepting an unclassified position.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A conservative Kansas legislator says he would give money to North Korea before he’d support Kansas Public Radio.
The Lawrence Journal-World reported that Republican Rep. J.R. Claeys of Salina expressed disdain for public radio Wednesday in a tweet responding to a fundraising tweet by KPR Statehouse reporter Stephen Koranda.
Claeys tweeted that he’d sooner give to “DPRK News” because its propaganda is “under duress.” DRPK is the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea.
Asked about the tweet, Claeys questioned in a message why anyone would be surprised that a Republican would balk at funding what he called a “democratic radio station.”
As for North Korea, Claeys retweeted a message suggesting that the U.S. has no reason not to launch a nuclear strike on that nation.
RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a series of robberies.
On Thursday, Police served a search warrant at 1604 E. 6th, the residence of 59-year-old Jeffrey Dean Howell.
Police arrested him without incident for the aggravated robberies that occurred at Dillon’s, 206 W. 5th Street in Hutchinson, two Hutchinson Kwik Shops, The Subway in Hutchinson, and the Aggravated robbery of Vic’s Dog Grooming at 1017 E. 4th Street which occurred in October of last year.
Howell was also faces charges for multiple counts of kidnapping.
He has prior convictions for burglary, and contributing to a child’s misconduct, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is expected in court on Friday.
Deputies found the vehicle east of Emporia- google map
LYON COUNTY— Authorities are investigating a possible homicide after a body was found in a burned vehicle approximately 5 miles east of Emporia, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies made the discovery Thursday morning while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle near road T and 160 Road.
Several law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office.
PHOENIX (AP) — Attorneys general in 20 Republican states including Kansas are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the release of videos made by an anti-abortion group whose leaders are facing felony charges in California for recording people without permission.
The friend-of-the-court brief filed by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich on Thursday says the justices should lift an order from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals barring the recordings’ release. They were made by the Center for Medical Progress at meetings of an abortion provider association.
The group previously released several secretly recorded videos that it says show Planned Parenthood employees illegally selling fetal tissue. Planned Parenthood says they were deceptively edited to support false claims.
Brnovich’s filing says upholding the 9th Circuit decision will hamper law enforcement’s ability to investigate potential crimes.
In addition to Kansas, the other states joining Brnovich’s brief are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 28-year-old Wichita man was sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 50 years for fatally stabbing an elderly man who was showing him a rental property.
Boe Adams was sentenced Wednesday for first-degree murder and other charges in the April 28 death of 86-year-old Otto Meyer. Prosecutors say Meyer was stabbed when he was showing the property to Adams and a woman who was with him.
Wichita police found the victim’s truck parked at an apartment complex in Wichita.
Mosqueda-photo Sedgwick Co.
Adams and the woman were caught while trying to cash a check drawn on Meyer’s account.
His co-defendant, 19-year-old Yvonne Mosqueda, of Wichita, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Sept. 20 on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and theft.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 19-year-old man is charged with killing one man and wounding two others at a Lawrence motel.
Tyrone Carvin, of Kansas City, Kansas, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of 23-year-old Cameron Hooks, of Lenexa. The shooting happened Saturday at a Motel 6 in Lawrence.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports Carvin faces three other felony charges after two men were injured. Carvin also suffered a gunshot wound but was treated and released and is being held in Douglas County on $1 million bond.
Police have released few other details about the shooting.
His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 13.
An attorney appointed for Carvin did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
SEDGWICK COUTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a hit-and-run accident and asking the public for help to identify the driver.
