SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.
Just after 9p.m. officers were dispatched to a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store in the 2300 Block of South Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. A 23-year-old employee told police an unknown suspect entered the business and ordered an item.
As the cash register was opened, the suspect jumped the counter and began taking money. The employee drew a handgun and fired it at the suspect who fled on foot. Police did not have contact with the suspect and had no information on possible injuries.
The suspect is described as an older black male in his 40s, gray hair, 6-foot tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He wore a blue button down shirt and shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call Police.
TOPEKA— Fire officials are working to determine the cause of a weekend house fire.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, three engine companies of the Topeka Fire Department responded to the blaze at 1241 SW High Avenue, according to a media release.
Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the two-story wooden frame home. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack keeping it confined to the home. A search of the structure revealed no occupants. They did rescue one dog from the structure.
Estimated dollar loss – $20,000.00, including $15,000.00 structural loss and $5,000.00 contents loss.
Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.
As Congress works to make improvements to our health care system, we should make certain we continue to prioritize medical research and its ability to save lives tomorrow through today’s investments. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plays a critical role nationwide in directing our medical research community.
I recently visited the NIH headquarters in Bethesda, Md., accompanied by NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, several directors of NIH Institutes, University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod and members of the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, to see firsthand the work being done by some of our nation’s leading physicians and scientists. After touring NIH’s facilities and discussing research progress on neurodegenerative diseases — specifically, Alzheimer’s — it is clear, now more than ever, that sustained funding for the NIH is essential for the next generation of Americans and will help lower health care costs in the future.
As a co-founder of the Senate NIH Caucus and champion of NIH funding, I’ve made it a priority to make certain Congress prioritizes funding to assist our nation’s medical researchers in reaching groundbreaking discoveries, including new treatments and cures for diseases to make our health care system more effective while lowering overall health care costs.
Federal NIH dollars support 3,000 universities, medical schools and research facilities across the country, which are developing cutting-edge treatments that will serve as a catalyst for more affordable care in the future. The importance of NIH funding is real: the medical breakthroughs yielded from NIH research will ensure future generations can live longer, healthier lives knowing that our nation’s doctors, scientists and health care providers have improved treatments and cures for costly diseases.
For example, KU researchers at the Alzheimer’s Disease Center are already contributing through their work on brain imaging, Alzheimer’s prevention, mitochondrial genetics and cellular metabolism. To accelerate this research, KU has joined in partnerships to expedite clinical trials and get to testing and development of potential treatments. These resources and partnerships — combined with the availability of the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center — create research opportunities unique to KU due to its NIH status and research capabilities.
According to a recent NIH report on Alzheimer’s, today there are more than 5 million Americans living with this disease and by 2050 that number could rise to as high as 16 million. Alzheimer’s and other dementia diseases cost $259 billion in 2017; by 2050, that number could explode to $1.1 trillion in total expenses. Furthermore, the report indicates that “in the last five years of life, total health care spending for people with dementia was more than a-quarter-million dollars per person.”
These predictions do not need to become our reality. These astronomical costs can be curbed if these diseases themselves are made treatable and curable.
We must address the costs of health care, not just who pays for health care, to put the United States’ health system on a sustainable financial path forward, including ways to lower costs while treating diseases like Alzheimer’s. If we find new ways to identify diseases early, create new and improved treatments and find cures that improve patients’ lives, it will ultimately lessen the cumulative burden on our health costs.
So many of us care for people who have been affected by serious illnesses. This unfortunate circumstance we share should make it easy to rally behind NIH in hopes of curing these diseases and improving the lives of those we love.
I appreciate the tireless efforts of NIH researchers and the enthusiastic approach they bring to their jobs each and every day. I will continue to work with the National Institutes of Health, NIH-accredited institutions in Kansas and congressional NIH advocates on both sides of the aisle to ensure medical research funding remains a top priority.
Kansas is counting down the minutes to the country’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. The Most of Kansas will see only a partial eclipse on Monday. Social media is exploding with advice, instructions and fun.
More than 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon in Wichita and most of southeastern, central and northwestern Kansas. The peak of the eclipse will occur shortly after 1 p.m.
Saturday night rescue in Pottawatomie County-photo Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens
POTTAWOTOMIE COUNTY – Kansas game wardens and Pottawatomie County sheriff’s deputies worked together and rescued five adults and three children under the age of six stranded on the Kansas River over the weekend.
According to a social media report, the rescue occurred approximately four miles upstream from St. George. There were no injuries and everyone arrived home safely.
Kansas is prepared for the country’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918.
Most of Kansas will see only a partial eclipse on Monday. More than 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon in Wichita and most of southeastern, central and northwestern Kansas.
The path of totality is where the moon will completely block the sun’s light. The path will travel diagonally across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. A narrow area of northeastern Kansas lies in the path of totality, including in Atchison, Leavenworth, Hiawatha and Marysville.
The peak of the eclipse will occur shortly after 1 p.m.
The Great American Total Solar Eclipse of 2017” as it has been dubbed by some, is sure to be a memorable day as people celebrate this exciting astronomical event.
According to NASA’s website, the sun will be completely obstructed from view for about 2 minutes and 43 seconds. For this reason, Kansas Department of Transportation encourages travelers to take safety precautions and prepare for a safe place to stay and view the event.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 200 million people live within driving distance of the eclipse’s path of totality. An increase in traffic and travel time is expected on August 21.
Have you prepared ahead of time for the eclipse? Remember, get into a safe viewing area to watch, NOT the side of the highway! #Eclipse2017https://t.co/UJFwwtdr3L
Some safety measures to be aware of are included in the list below. Please read carefully and be safe this August 21 – but don’t forget to enjoy this one-in-a-lifetime experience!
Do not pull over to the side of the highway to observe the eclipse. Exit the highway to a safe location to view and/or photograph the event.
Do not take photos while driving – KDOT reminds motorists to always maintain full awareness when driving to help maintain safety for all other drivers and pedestrians.
Do not wear opaque eclipse glasses while driving.
Be prepared for potential traffic congestion before, during, and after the event – While only the northeast corner of the state will be in the path of totality for the solar eclipse, the rest of Kansas will still see part of the astronomical event.
Turn on vehicle headlights and do not rely solely on automatic headlights during the eclipse. – Because the sky will be darkened, the use of headlights during the eclipse will be needed.
Pack an emergency travel kit – Check out the blog here for a list of suggested items to include in your safety kit.
Plan ahead for fuel needs – Always remember to keep your gas tank full during long trips.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former lottery computer programmer who’s pleaded guilty in Iowa to running a criminal scheme that allowed him to collect $2 million in lottery winnings in four states is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday.
A state prosecutor is seeking a 25-year prison term for former Multi-State Lottery Association security director Eddie Tipton.
Assistant Iowa Attorney General Rob Sand says in court documents that Tipton’s “depth of deceit is dumbfounding.” He says justice requires a lengthy prison sentence.
Tipton pleaded guilty in June and admitted writing code that allowed him to predict winners. His attorney is seeking a much lighter sentence of two to three years.
Sand says Tipton has detailed for authorities how he manipulated lottery computers to win lottery games in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.
SUMNER COUNTY — A second earthquake shook Kansas Sunday. It was the third quake over the weekend.
The latest quake at 6:07 p.m. measured a magnitude 2.5, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. I was centered seven miles south of Conway Springs.
At 1a.m. Sunday, a 2.4 magnitude quake was centered approximately three miles southwest of Bluff City in Harper County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Just before 8pm. Saturday a quake that measured a magnitude 2.2 was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of damage or injuries from Sunday’s quakes.
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HARPER COUNTY – A second weekend earthquake shook Kansas early Sunday morning. The quake measured a magnitude 2.4 at 1a.m. and was centered approximately three miles southwest of Bluff City in Harper County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Just before 8pm. Saturday a quake that measured a magnitude 2.2 was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of damage or injuries from Sunday’s quake, according to the Harper County Sheriff’s Department.
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SUMNER COUNTY – A small earthquake shook portions of Kansas Saturday evening. The quake just before 8pm. measured a magnitude 2.2 and was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of damage or injuries from Saturday’s quake, according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department.
Vandalized memorial in Kansas City-photo by Eric Smith-photo courtesy KCTV
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Parks officials in Kansas City, Missouri, say an 83-year-old Confederate memorial will be removed after it was vandalized.
The Missouri Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy asked Kansas City Parks and Recreation officials to remove the monument from its current location to a place of safety. That request came after someone painted what appeared to be a red hammer and sickle on the “Loyal Women of the Old South” memorial late Friday or early Saturday.
Parks officials said Saturday the monument would be removed soon.
The memorial along one of the city’s main streets was erected in 1934 to recognize women who supported the Confederacy. It was a gift from the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It had been at its current location since 1958.
TOPEKA – Staff and members of the community are mourning the death Sunday of a longtime Kansas zoo gorilla who underwent a surgical procedure last week.
In follow-up to an ongoing health condition that had not improved, Tiffany the gorilla was taken to a local medical facility for a CT scan at 10:45 Sunday morning, according to a media release.
The CT scan revealed two abdominal masses. After consulting with a radiologist and surgeon, the masses were identified to be tumors resulting from stage four ovarian cancer.
Tiffany, 49, returned to the Topeka Zoo where a surgical team waited. In addition to the zoo’s veterinary team, Dr. Guernsey-Youngblood of University Veterinary Care Center and consultants from Tallgrass Surgical Center were onsite to evaluate Tiffany. Not long into the surgical procedure, it became evident that the cancer had metastasized to the abdominal wall.
Knowing the full extent of the condition, the procedure paused to evaluate options. “Even if all the cancer affected tissue could have been removed, we just could not see an appropriate way to administer a regimen of chemotherapy to treat the cancer,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “We made the decision that we felt was best for Tiffany and decided to not wake her up from her surgery.” Just before 3:00 and surrounded by the team of people that cared for her, Tiffany passed away.
Tiffany was loved by many. Regulars at the zoo knew her by name. “She was a big part of the persona of our zoo,” said Wiley. “It seemed like everyone knew who Tiffany was.” As a young gorilla, Tiffany became the community’s sweetheart when she was paired with a gorilla named Max. That affection stayed with her even after Max left for another zoo. Tiffany enjoyed board books and stuffed animals. One of her most intriguing attributes was her attraction to small children. She loved watching kids and kids loved to watch her.
Tiffany was born on July 15, 1968 at the Kansas City Zoo. She arrived at the Topeka Zoo on October 15, 1969. In January of 1983 at the recommendation of the Gorilla Species Survival Plan she moved to the Buffalo Zoo and returned back to Topeka in 1987. She will be missed.
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TOPEKA— A constipated 49-year-old lowland gorilla at the Topeka Zoo in Kansas is recovering after having surgery.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that zoo Director Brendan Wiley says the procedure that Tiffany underwent Wednesday went “really well.” A significant amount of stool was found in her colon and was flushed out.
Wiley says the best-case scenario is that she will bounce back. If issues continue, test results will be reviewed to determine how to treat her constipation.
The zoo said staff reported on Friday that the gorilla wasn’t acting like herself. Staff thought a storm the previous night might have upset her, but over the following days, she lost more of her appetite. The surgery was performed to determine why she had been reluctant to eat.
BARTON COUNTY – A Barton County woman was injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Sunday.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Dodge Ram pulling a trailer and driven by Denise Haley Wagner, 64, San Patricio, TN., was northbound on U.S. 281.
A trailer tire came off and hit the window of a Southbound 2011 Ford Focus and then hit the driver Beverly P. Retzlaff, 66, Hoisington.
Retzlaff was transported to Clara Barton Hospital. Wagner was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, right, Photo Kansas News Service
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer’s legislative voting record gives insight into the course of policy action he’s certain to sustain if he wins the governor’s race.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Colyer generally has avoided hefty policy pronouncements in recent weeks to focus on explaining what type of governor he would be.
Colyer launched a state Legislature career by sponsoring a bill equating the legal status of a fetus at all stages of gestation to that of a living human being.
This anti-abortion position he took as a freshman representative in 2007 reflected his advocacy in the House and Senate through 2010 and his public positions as lieutenant governor for more than six years.
President Donald Trump has nominated Gov. Sam Brownback to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
GEARY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges.
Just before 4:30a.m. Friday, deputies with the Geary County Sheriff’s office stopped a vehicle on U.S. Highway 77. They arrested Joseph A. Smith, South Haven, Mississippi and Jerry M. Smith, Memphis, Tennessee on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and No Drug Tax Stamp.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.
