HARPER COUNTY – A Kansas man died in an accident just before 7p.m. Saturday in Harper County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Robert B. Sharp, 76, Anthony, was in a field at southwest 40th Road and Southwest 10th Avenue just south of Anthony.
As he extended the boom on an Apache chemical sprayer it touched the electrical line.
Sharp was electrocuted.
He was transported to Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony.
PRATT – Grab your fishing poles and load up the family, and leave your cash at home. Come the first weekend in June the only thing you’ll need for a great time is your lure and line. No fishing licenses are required because June 3 and 4 is Free Fishing Weekend in Kansas.
Now that you know when you’ll be fishing, and likely who you’ll be fishing with, you’ll need to figure out where you’ll be fishing. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has got you covered there, too. Simply visit ksoutdoors.com/fishing and click “Where To Fish” for a list of fishing locations near you, as well as view the 2017 Fishing Forecast and weekly fishing reports.
After you’ve found the ideal spot, view the 2017 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary for any last details prior to hitting the water. The summary – which contains vital information specific to all public waters and even includes color illustrations to help identify fish – can be viewed online at ksoutdoors.com/fishing, or picked up wherever licenses are sold.
While license requirements are waived for the weekend, anglers must still abide by all other regulations such as length and creel limits, equipment requirements, and more.
With the right location, a variety of baits to choose from, and some cooperative weather, Kansas fishing can be a blast. Give it a try; we bet you’ll be hooked.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have drifted through another week.
They didn’t have debates in either chamber on a plan for boosting spending on public schools or proposal to increase taxes to pay for it and also fix the state budget.
They held no late-night or evening House and Senate sessions and haven’t worked any weekends since returning this month from their annual spring break.
When they reconvene Monday, they’ll be only days away from the 100th day of their annual session and what is supposed to be their last.
They’re still struggling with a chicken-and-egg question.
Do they pass tax legislation first to set the upper limits of what they can spend? Or, do they pass a school funding plan first to set a revenue-raising target?
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged kidnapping.
Just before 7p.m. Saturday, police responded to the 21st and SE Rice Road to speak to the victim of a kidnapping, according to a media release.
Police are looking for 42-year-old Jesse Jerome Jackson. He is described as 6 foot 1-inches tall and weighs 196 pounds. He was wearing a black hoodie and black pants and last seen leaving the scene in the victim’s
Stock photo of KIA Forte
Kia Forte with Kansas tag 617EIF. He is considered armed and dangerous, according to police.
He was in possession of a knife during the incident. If you see him, please call 911.
PRATT – Nothing says “summer” quite like sailing, and nobody knows sailing quite like the Ninnescah Sailing Association (NSA) at Cheney State Park. That’s why members of NSA are gearing up for another year of “Learning To Sail” courses this summer to introduce to others the joys of sailing. Open to members and non-members, the program is led by experienced, certified U.S. sailing instructors, who will share their knowledge of basic boat-handling skills, sailing terminology, watercraft safety, knot tying and more. And of course, plenty of time will be spent on the water.
Participants age 18 or older can choose between courses beginning June 20, July 18, or take a Basic Keelboat course August 12. Youth can choose between camps taking place June 26-30 or July 24-28.
Adult courses are $250 per non-member, and $195 for NSA members. Youth courses are $150 for non-members, and $125 for NSA members. The Basic Keelboat class is $125 for non-members and $75 for NSA members.
Life jackets, course materials, use of sailboats, and safety equipment are all included in the course fee. Graduates of the class interested in joining NSA will have their initiation fee waived and pay half-price on their first year of membership.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court upheld the capital murder conviction of a Topeka man who killed an 8-year-old girl and stuffed her body in a clothes dryer.
The court on Friday rejected an appeal from Billy Davis Jr., who was sentenced in 2015 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 2012 beating, rape and death of Ah’liyah Irvin.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Davis’ attorney argued he was high on drugs and alcohol and didn’t intend to kill the girl, which is necessary for a capital murder conviction.
The court unanimously rejected the argument, saying Davis’ conduct before and after the crimes and the girl’s severe injuries all suggested premeditation.
The court reversed the rape conviction because rape is an element of the capital murder conviction.
SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an incident involving an altercation with a police officer.
Just after 11 a.m. Saturday, a suspect identified as Colt Francis Wright ran from a Maize police officer during a traffic stop in the area of 53rd Street North and Maize Road after a brief scuffle with the officer, according to a social media report.
Several agencies assisted with the search for the suspect including the Wichita Police Department, Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol. At this time, the suspect has not been located, but has been identified.
Wright was wearing a blue shirt and khaki shorts. He is wanted on misdemeanor warrants.
The Maize Police Department does not believe there is any threat to the community, but is asking residents to be vigilant and call 9-1-1 if they see Wright.
BARTON COUNTY – A Kansas man is facing a variety of possible charges after a wild accident on Tuesday in Great Bend.
A vehicle driven by James Drury, Larned was northbound in the 800 Block of Main Street in Great Bend and hit a man on a bicycle, according to Great Bend Police Lieutenant Scott Bieberle.
After hitting the telephone pole, tree, and truck, Drury put his vehicle in drive and started doing donuts in the middle of the road. The vehicle then traveled into a yard south of a liquor store.
The vehicle nearly hit another pedestrian before citizens in the area were able to get him to park the vehicle, according to Bieberle.
The bike rider had minor injuries including cuts on his left knee, scrapes on his stomach, a bump on his forehead, and scratched knuckles, according to Bieberle.
Police booked Drury into the Barton County jail for aggravated assault, accident involving injury and leaving the scene, driving while suspended, illegal tags, no insurance, and reckless driving. The charges came along with a $20,000 bond and are pending through the Barton County District Court.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged robbery and have captured 2 suspects.
On Saturday, police responded to the 3700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka to speak with the victim of a robbery, according to a media release.
They discovered that sometime on Friday this female victim was taken to a hotel room and robbed. She was released sometime on Saturday morning.
Just after 3p.m. Saturday, the Topeka Police Department issued an alert for 2 suspects.
A 4:17 p.m. police arrested 32-year-old Tamarya Brooks
and 31-year-old Ryan E. Bettcher both reported as homeless. They were apprehended near 11th and California Street in Topeka, according to a media release.
Bettcher-photo courtesy Topeka Police
Police say they used a gun and large knives were in the crime.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged robbery and looking for help to find two suspects.
On Saturday, police responded to the 3700 block of SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka to speak with the victim of a robbery, according to a media release.
They discovered that sometime on Friday this female victim was taken to a hotel room and robbed. She was released sometime on Saturday morning.
The Topeka Police Department is currently looking for:
32-year-old Tamarya Brooks “Tam” is 5 foot 4inches tall and weighs approximately 155 pounds. She was last seen wearing a camouflage hoodie and pink shirt.
They are also looking for 31-year-old Ryan E. Bettcher. “Cuz” or “Saint” described as 6 foot 2 inches tall and weighs 240 pounds. He was last seen wearing a neon green hoodie, blue shirt and jeans.
These two should be considered armed and dangerous. A gun and large knives were
used in the commission of this crime. Both are said to be homeless at the time, and were seen leaving the area on foot. If seen please call 911 and do not approach. If you have information regarding the investigation please call 785-368-9551 Topeka Police ([email protected]) or call Crime Stoppers at #785-234-0007.
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Authorities in Congo say two suspects soon will face trial in the gruesome killings of two United Nations experts and their interpreter.
The bodies of American Michael Sharp, Swedish national Zaida Catalan and colleague Betu Tshintela were found in March after they went missing while investigating human rights abuses.
Sharp is the son of Hesston Kansas College Bible faculty members John and Michele Sharp.
The Congolese government later obtained a cell phone video showing them being killed. It blamed members of the Kamwina Nsapu militia that is active in central Congo’s Kasai provinces. At least 400 people have died in the region since August.
Military prosecutor Col. Odon Makutu Mwendele said Saturday two of the 16 suspects will face trial on war crimes charges including murder and mutilation. They also face charges of terrorism and supporting a rebel group.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City police say they are investigating whether four homicides along a popular hiking and biking trail are related.
Police said Friday no evidence has linked the deaths of four white men along the Indian Creek Trail system since last August. The men were between the ages of 54 and 67. Three of them were walking their dogs on or near the trail.
Spokeswoman Capt. Stacey Graves said in an email that detectives are aware of the similarities and are reviewing the possibility the cases are related.
The latest homicide occurred Thursday, when 61-year-old Mike Darby was found dead.
Indian Creek Trail stretches 26 miles between Jackson County, Missouri, in south Kansas City to Johnson County, Kansas, in Olathe.
BARTON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug and theft charges.
Just before 7 a.m. Friday, May 19 deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 161 Southwest 10 Avenue, south of the City of Great Bend, according to a media release.
Sheriff’s officers were looking for stolen property.
Upon entry to the residence, officers observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia and controlled substances. Another search warrant was obtained for the drug violations. Deputies had to force entry into the residence and the sole occupant was taken into custody.
While conducting the search, deputies discovered a stolen motorcycle as well as other stolen property. Quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also seized. Multiple firearms were also found in the residence.
Search warrant executed at 161 SW 10 Avenue.
Sheriff’s detectives and agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation were still on the scene investigating until the late afternoon.
Arrested at the scene, was the resident, Rick E. Novotny, 59 of rural Great Bend. Novotny was transported to the Barton County jail and booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property and criminal use of a firearm.
Novotny is being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and a K-9 officer from the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.
