Police found 5-year-old Jeremiah safe- photo courtesy Wichita PD
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on charges after a child was reported missing.
Just before 11 p.m. Friday, police responded to a home in the 2500 block of South Pattie in Wichita after a report of a lost child, according to Officer Charlie Davidson during a media briefing.
A 24-year-old woman told police her 5-year-old son Jeremiah Marshall and her child’s babysitter Celeste Culver, 49, were missing. She was also unable to contact her son or the babysitter.
Police sent out information on social media asking for the public’s help with information on the case.
During their investigation, Police located a vehicle in connection with the case near the intersection of Lincoln and Hydraulic in Wichita.
The vehicle was stopped officers questioned Culver. She was booked into jail for interference with parental custody and child endangerment.
Police located Jeremiah at a residence in the 1600 block of East Galena. He was safe.
Dozens of officers were used in the raid early Monday-photo courtesy KCTV
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Two corrections officers are among four people charged with smuggling contraband cell phones and other items into the county jail in Kansas City after roughly 200 law enforcers searched the facility Monday.
The U.S. attorney’s office says the indictment naming Jackson County Detention Center corrections officers 26-year-old Andrew Lamonte Dickerson and 29-year-old Jalee Caprice Fuller was unsealed Monday after their arrest and the search. Also indicted last week in the bribery scheme are 32-year-old jail inmate Carlos Laron Hughley and a friend, 36-year-old Janikkia Lashay Carter.
The prosecutor’s office says they don’t immediately have attorneys who can speak on their behalf.
The early Monday search began after law enforcement from several agencies were bussed to the jail and lasted several hours. Previous searches have uncovered drugs, weapons and other contraband.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have adjourned their annual session and are waiting for a state Supreme Court ruling on education funding later this summer.
The House and Senate met briefly Monday to formally end the session weeks after passing an income tax increase and a plan to boost spending on public schools.
The Supreme Court plans to hear arguments from attorneys July 18 on whether the new school funding law is adequate under the state constitution. It phases in a $293 million increase in education funding over two years.
Some lawmakers believe the court will rule that the funding increase isn’t large enough and force legislators to return for a special session.
But Kansas Association of School Boards officials praised the new school finance law Monday as a good start.
OLATHE – Kansas State Representative Keith Esau announced his candidacy Saturday for the Office of Kansas Secretary of State (KSSOS). Esau made his announcement at the annual Olathe Republican Party Picnic and spoke to an enthusiastic crowd.
Esau outlined his priorities for the office – chief among which is information security to ensure the integrity of Kansas elections and business records administered by the KSSOS.
“The KSSOS is charged with a special level of public trust – and requires a special level of competency to achieve and maintain that trust,” Esau noted. “I am the only candidate in this race with 30 years of information technology experience – the experience to confront the modern challenges and threats confronting the duties of the office.”
Esau referenced recent disclosures of cyber attacks on 39 states’ voter registration systems, as well as two successful hacking incidents accessing voter registration systems, illustrating the urgency for bolstering and securing KSSOS information systems.
“While we must continue to be vigilant watching the front door of our polling places by ensuring proper registration and identification of all voters, we must now also keep watch on the back door – defending our election systems from electronic tampering and manipulation,” Esau continued.
Rep. Keith Esau, R-Olathe
Esau further noted that elections are not the only critical duty of the KSSOS and that much of Kansas commerce is dependent on a trustworthy business filing system maintained by the office.
“I’m an IT guy. When I look at the vast KSSOS records and databases, I don’t see it as some paper-pushing office. It is a vital technology platform critical to the economic health of our state,” Esau said. “In addition to elections, the office facilitates commerce, lending, property rights, and related functions that if attacked or manipulated could wreak havoc on Kansas economy.”
Esau brings a wealth of knowledge to secure the critical information systems maintained by the KSSOS. His 30-year career in information technology as a software developer and systems auditor is augmented by a familiarity with elections and state information systems from his chairmanship of the House Elections Committee and service on the Joint Committee for Information Technology, and the newly formed House Committee on Government Technology and Security.
Keith Esau currently represents Kansas House District 14. He and his wife Charlotte are proud parents of five children and four grandchildren. The Esaus reside in Olathe.
Police on the scene of Sunday afternoon fatal shooting-photo courtesy WIBW-TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a second fatal shooting over a twelve-hour period in Topeka.
Just before 12:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to near the intersection of 10th Street and SW Billard in Topeka for report of a shooting, according to a media release.
First responders found victim identified as Justin T. Mitchell, 18, with a life-threatening gunshot wound in a fast-food restaurant parking lot. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.
Just before 2:30p.m. Sunday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 700 Block of SW Taylor in Topeka, according to a media release.
Officers found a victim identified as 18-year-old Arden King suffering for a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.
Police arrested Luqman Keys, 18, on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary and First-Degree Murder.
Police released no additional details late Sunday.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement are investigating fatal Sunday afternoon shooting and have a suspect in custody.
Just before 2:30p.m., police responded to report of a shooting in the 700 Block of SW Taylor in Topeka, according to a media release.
Officers found a victim identified as 18-year-old Arden King suffering for a life-threatening gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he died.
Police arrested Luqman Keys, 18, on requested charges of Aggravated Burglary and First-Degree Murder.
Police released no additional details late Sunday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is letting the Trump administration enforce its 90-day ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries, overturning lower court orders that blocked it.
The action Monday is a victory for President Donald Trump in the biggest legal controversy of his young presidency.
Trump said last week that the ban would take effect 72 hours being cleared by courts. It includes the countries of Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, and Iran.
The justices will hear arguments in the case in the fall.
Allen is located 43 miles southwest of Topeka- google map
ALLEN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities in east-central Kansas’ Lyon County are investigating a small bomb they say was found in a field.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Department tells the Emporia Gazette that the improvised explosive device was found shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday near Allen by a person who was renting the field.
Sheriff’s officials contacted a Fort Riley bomb squad, which responded to the scene and disabled the device.
A message left with the sheriff’s department Monday was not immediately returned.
Topeka –Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a state budget for the next two years that will use a $1.2 billion income tax increase to fund government and schools, but he complained about “excessive spending.”
Brownback signed the $15.6 billion budget bill on Sunday. It will provide raises of up to 5 percent to state workers who haven’t had any in recent years.
He vetoed two items that imposed some limits on programs for people with disabilities and mental health programs. Lawmakers will have a chance to override those vetoes Monday.
He issued the following statement in a media release Sunday afternoon.
“This budget, passed on the 113th day of the legislative session, unnecessarily increases government spending in several areas and fails to adopt common sense cost saving measures identified by the legislature’s own efficiency study. However, I am signing the budget, despite my concerns about excessive spending, to avoid a break in core functions of government and to provide state workers with well-deserved pay increases.”
I signed the budget, despite my concerns about excessive spending, to avoid a break in core functions of govt #ksleghttps://t.co/wLwpWyNaua
Pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(b) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, the Governor returned Senate Substitute for House Bill 2002 with the following line item vetoes:
Limitation on the ability of KDADS to best serve vulnerable Kansans
Section 174 – Vetoed broad language limiting the ability of KDADS to implement changes, no matter how minor, to some programs and services.
Redirection of funding for KDADS Clubhouse Model Program Fund
Section 99-(q) and Section 100-(o) – Vetoed language establishing a funding receptacle which was made unnecessary by the veto of HB 2313. Governor Brownback has directed KDADS to work with the Community Mental Health Centers to establish a pilot with Clubhouse Model Program providers in fiscal year 2018 in order to expand the scope of this program.
The Governor’s full message to the legislature can be found here.
Brownback already had signed a separate plan to increase school spending to meet a state Supreme Court mandate.
The Governor has now signed 102 bills into law this session, vetoed four, and allowed one to become law without his signature.
PRATT – The July fourth holiday usually means three things for Kansans: fireworks, BBQ, and of course, open water. Make this holiday everything it should be, including safe, by keeping the following things in mind while on and around water.
-State park beaches do not have lifeguards. Parents should keep a close eye on youngsters and it’s a good idea to strap little ones into properly-fitting life jackets. A toddler can disappear in an instant on a crowded beach. Older kids love to play on inflatable water toys but care must be exercised under windy conditions. A stiff Kansas wind blowing out from the beach can sweep floaters away from shore surprisingly fast.
-Over the holiday weekend, reservoirs will be busy and Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) boating officers will be out keeping waters safe. Familiarize yourself with boating regulations and safety requirements, especially those concerning life jackets, ahead of time. Children age 12 and younger must wear a properly-fitting life jacket while on the boat, and there must be a serviceable life jacket readily accessible for everyone older than 12 onboard. KDWPT strongly encourages everyone on the boat to wear life jackets at all times while on the water.
While boating accidents aren’t common on Kansas waters, they do have a common theme: alcohol. Sun, waves and heat exacerbate the effects of alcohol on judgment and coordination. Anyone planning on driving a boat should know that boating under the influence (BUI) is against the law.
Weather conditions can change quickly as summer thunderstorms build and bring high winds. Know the forecast, watch the sky, and check weather updates periodically while at the lake to prevent being caught by surprise miles from a boat ramp.
Water recreation at Kansas state parks is safe and getting safer, but there is always some risk. However, if you make just a few precautions routine, you can ensure that your family has fun and stays safe this holiday and summer season.
RENO COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities in are investigating a fatal shooting and have a suspect in custody
Just before 3:30 Saturday, officers of the Hutchinson Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block South Elm Street in reference to a shooting, according to a media release.
Officers located the victim Kenneth Thompson, 24, lying in the street with a gunshot wound.
Emergency crews transported him to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he died.
Just after 5p.m. Sunday, police say 19-year-old Leo Lamont Wells, person of interest in the case, turned himself in at the Law Enforcement Center in Hutchinson.
Wells was arrested for Murder in the 2nd degree. Wells is in the custody of the Reno County Sheriff with a $350,000. bond.
HUTCHINSON. — The 4th annual Smallville ComicCon at the State Fairgrounds Hutchinson saw good crowds throughout Saturday and Sunday.
In fact, the line to get in Saturday stretched from the main entrance of the Meadowlark Building to the information booth near the train depot on the fairgrounds.
The event brought together another unique mix of celebrities, artists, writers, vendors, and fans eager to explore and share their love and devotion to all things evolving from comic books and popular culture.
One of this year’s highlights was the Munster vehicles that Butch Patrick brought for his ComicCon appearance.
Patrick played Eddie Munster, the son of Herman Munster, in the 60’s sitcom that continues to be shown in syndication.
Representatives of similar events were on hand over the weekend, including events in both Wichita and Manhattan.
Approximate locations of Sunday earthquake -USGS image
SEDGWICK COUNTY – A pair of earthquakes shook portions of Kansas on Sunday morning.
The first, just before 8 a.m. measured a magnitude 2.5 and was centered approximately 3 miles southwest of Cheney, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The second at 10:42 a.m. measured 2.6 and was centered approximately 6 miles southwest of Cheney.
In addition to Friday afternoon’s 2.5 magnitude quake in Harper County, the USGS reported 5 Kansas earthquakes last week and 17 so far in June.
They reported 9 Kansas earthquakes in May, nearly a dozen in April, seven in March and six in February.
There are no reports of damage or injury from Sunday’s quakes.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas nun says she is surprised that her slain brother could become a saint, but that it “couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”
Marita Rother says that Stanley Rother was tireless and that he taught her “how to live and how to die in dignity.”
Marita Rother belongs to the Wichita Center of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, where a small statue of Stanley Rother stands.
He was killed in 1981 after three men broke in to his Guatemala rectory. He was declared a martyr last year and will be beatified in September — the final stage before canonization as a saint.
Rother is the first American-born martyr and would be the first U.S. priest to be beatified.
HUTCHINSON. — The 4th annual Smallville ComicCon at the State Fairgrounds Hutchinson saw good crowds throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Patrick played Eddie Munster, the son of Herman Munster, in the 60’s sitcom that continues to be shown in syndication.
