WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The woman accused of murdering a Wichita woman and kidnapping her newborn baby is now in a Kansas jail.

Online jail records show Yesenia Sesmas was booked Wednesday afternoon into the Sedgwick County Detention Center in Wichita.

KAKE-TV reports the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says was released from that county’s jail Wednesday morning to be taken to Kansas.

Sesmas is accused of killing Laura Abarca-Nogueda at a west Wichita apartment in November. She then allegedly took the woman’s daughter, Sofia, who was six days old at the time.

Sesmas and the baby were found two days later a Dallas home. The child was not injured and was returned to relatives in Wichita.

The 34-year-old Sesmas was in custody in Dallas and was served extradition papers Jan. 6.

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The woman accused of murdering a Wichita woman and kidnapping her newborn baby is being returned to Sedgwick County from Dallas.

KAKE-TV reports the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office says Yesenia Sesmas was released from that county’s jail Wednesday morning to be taken to Sedgwick County.

Sesmas is accused of killing Laura Abarca-Nogueda at a west Wichita apartment in November. She then allegedly took the woman’s daughter, Sofia, who was six days old at the time.

Sesmas and the baby were found two days later a Dallas home. The child was not injured and was returned to relatives in Wichita.

The 34-year-old Sesmas was in custody in Dallas and was served extradition papers Jan. 6.

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating after a student brought a gun to Truesdell Middle School, 2464, South Glen in Wichita on Tuesday.

There were no threats made against any student or staff and no one was hurt, according to communication from Principal Terrell Davis to parents and staff.

Another student reported the gun to staff early afternoon on Tuesday, according to Susan Arensman with USD 259.  School staff then contacted Wichita Police.

Davis thanked the student who reported it to the staff. “Our students know about “see something, say something. I appreciate the trust our students have to tell our staff to keep everyone safe,” he wrote.

The student received appropriate disciplinary action, according to Davis.

No additional details were released.

By Deanna Ambrose
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — Kansas counties want more protection to determine their own laws, also known as home rule. A proposed constitutional amendment, HCR 5004, would grant counties increased protection of their current powers, which are currently held at the legislative level, not the constitutional level.

The Federal and State Affairs Committee met Tuesday to hear testimony on two items, the most heavily debated was the proposed amendment.

Home rule allows counties to withdraw from state laws that they don’t agree with if the laws only apply to specific population sizes or specific counties. The current law is not written in the constitution, so the legislature could revoke home-rule by passing a bill. With constitutional protection, home rule could only be revoked with a two-thirds majority in chambers of the state legislature and a majority of Kansas voters. Cities already have home rule constitutional protection.

Kansas Farm Bureau representative Allie Devine opposed the bill, saying counties could move quickly on regulations without sound scientific counsel, which could damage the state’s financial situation.

“So what we’re worried about… is issues that may be coming, where a county acts before the state and investors and businesses seek to work with those (regulations), only to find out the rules change later,” Devine said. “That’s a problem, and we’ve already experienced it.”

The Kansas Association of Counties, which represents all 105 counties, testified in support of the proposed amendment. Riley County was the only county represented at the hearing. County Commissioner Ron Wells said he supported the amendment because of concerns for institutions in Riley County that set it apart from other counties, including Fort Riley and Kansas State University.

“As a county commissioner, all I want is the same protections, or same rights that the cities have, which is granted to them by Kansas,” Wells said.

Aaron Popelka, the Kansas Livestock Association’s vice president of legal and governmental affairs, testified that the bill grants excessive authority to the counties, removes a key oversight function of the legislature and endangers individual property rights.

Popelka included examples of county overreach in which the state intervened. He said the proposed amendment would only embolden counties further and prevent landowners from seeking help from the state.

“This really is a solution in search of a problem. No one can name a specific reason why we need this. We just kind of want it someday,” Popelka said.

Riley County Counselor Clancy Holeman said the opposition had good questions that he had anticipated, about issues such as agricultural regulation and state statutes that may or may not be uniformly enforced. He said his client, Riley County, would be happy to preserve the original statutes.

“It’s to give constitutional protection to that home-rule authority; the same constitutional protection cities now have, counties ought to have,” Holeman said. “It’s just a matter of logic and consistency.”

Deanna Ambrose is a University of Kansas senior journalism major from Frankfort.

SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Shawnee County are investigating a carjacking and searching for a suspect.

Just before 10p.m. on Tuesday, officers responded to a carjacking at the intersection of SW 6th and SW Lane in Topeka, according to a media release.

A woman told police she was getting gas for her vehicle when a suspect dressed in all dark clothing approached. The suspect had a gun and took her car. She last saw the vehicle heading north on SW Lane, according to police.

A short time later, police located the car. It was disabled after hitting a pole at SW 5th and SW Western. Witnesses to the accident told police the suspect ran from the scene.

No injuries were reported during the robbery and no arrests have been made.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas is reporting that it collected $24 million more in taxes than it anticipated in January as the Legislature wrestles with closing a shortfall in the current budget.

The state Department of Revenue’s report Wednesday was good news for lawmakers. It is the third consecutive month that tax collections have exceeded expectations.

The department said Kansas collected $544 million in taxes last month. The figure is 4.6 percent higher than the $520 million anticipated.

The revenue report came as a Senate committee reviewed budget-balancing proposals. Kansas still faces a budget gap of about $320 million for the current fiscal year ending June 30.

The development suggests that a new, more pessimistic fiscal forecast issued in November could be close to the mark. The state previously missed its revenue targets regularly.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A lieutenant colonel in Kansas’ Civil Air Patrol has resigned his command after posting on Facebook that a state lawmaker should “swing from a tree” for introducing a bill that would undo a law allowing concealed weapons on college campuses starting in July.

The Civil Air Patrol also said in a statement that it “does not condone such behavior from its members.”

Jonathan Holder said in the initial post, which has since been removed, that he was offended that Republican Rep. Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, proposed legislation that would undermine his constitutional rights. Overland Park police continue to investigate.

Holder didn’t immediately respond to an email message from The Associated Press. But he said Monday in a Facebook message that “I stand by what I said.”

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A lieutenant colonel in Kansas’ Civil Air Patrol said in a Facebook post that a state lawmaker should “swing from a tree” for introducing a bill that would undo a law allowing concealed weapons on college campuses starting in July.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Jonathan Holder affirmed he was the person who posted the message earlier this month. Holder said in the initial post that he was offended that Republican Rep. Stephanie Clayton, of Overland Park, proposed legislation that would undermine his constitutional rights.

Kansas Adjutant General’s Department spokeswoman Katie Horner said the agency “does not condone the statements.” The department oversees the Air Patrol’s budget but not its operations.

Overland Park Police Officer John Lacy says the case remains under investigation. No charges have been filed.

HODGEMAN COUNTY – Fire crews were busy with a large grass fire on Tuesday in Hodgeman County.

A trash fire at a residence got out of hand on O Road just west of U.S. 283, according to the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Department.

The blaze consumed approximately 300 acres of CRP and wheat stubble, according to Jetmore Fire Chief Brandon Harms.

Multiple agencies assisted with this fighting the fire including the Ness and Hodgeman County Road Departments. Farmers also brought tractors to help.

There were no injuries, according to Harms.

RENO COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a 3-vehicle crash just after 5p.m. on Tuesday and alcohol may have been involved.

The Reno County Sheriff’s Department reported a 2000 Buick Lesabre driven by Clayton Kaegi, 56, Hutchinson, was northbound on Hendricks Street. He failed to yield at the posted stop sign at 56th Avenue.

The Lesabre entered the intersection and was struck by an eastbound 2004 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Tony Killingsworth 32, McPherson.

A westbound 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by Luis Jaime Jr. 15, Hutchinson, collided with both vehicles.

Hutchinson and Nickerson Fire Department extracted one driver trapped inside a vehicle.

Kaegi and his passenger Jacqueline Kaegi 57, Hutchinson, were transported by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Killingsworth reported only minor injuries, he was wearing his seatbelt and airbags deployed.

Jaime Jr reported minor injuries and was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by private Vehicle.
Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor to the accident and is pending blood results, according to the sheriff’s department.

WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening nominated Neil Gorsuch, a fast-rising conservative judge, to the Supreme Court. Senate Republicans are already lining up behind the selection, while several Democrats are openly questioning whether Gorsuch falls within the legal mainstream.

Senator Pat Roberts congratulated Judge Gorsuch on his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“The American people voted in November knowing the responsibility of the next president to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. President Trump has selected a person who he believes will carry on in the tradition of Justice Scalia and uphold the values of the Constitution to the highest standard. I believe that is exactly the type of justice we need. I look forward to meeting Judge Gorsuch and hope for a swift confirmation.”

Senator Jerry Moran was impressed with the nomination of Judge Gorsuch

“The president has put forth an impressive and well-qualified Supreme Court nominee who has already received broad, bipartisan support in the United States Senate. As the confirmation process continues, I look forward to examining Judge Gorsuch’s body of legal writing and meeting with him to personally discuss his record and views of the judicial branch and the Constitution.

 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Prosecutors say a  man has been charged with fatally stabbing his wife after the couple’s children told their teachers what happened.

Forty-six-year-old Vicente Roldan-Marron, of Independence, was charged Tuesday with first-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Yadira Gomez. Prosecutors have requested $500,000 bond. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

Court documents say a 9-year-old child told police that his mother informed his father she wanted him to move out when the couple argued Sunday after church. The boy later discovered his mother covered in blood.

Officers found her body the next day when the children talked to their teachers at school. Roldan-Marron told police that he didn’t remember what happened because he had blacked out after drinking and taking pills.

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Sedgwick County are investigating a robbery and asking the public to help them find a suspect.

Just before 2 p.m. on January 23, a 92-year-old female victim was robbed while seated inside of her vehicle at 2618 E. 21st Street in Wichita, according to social media report from police.

A surveillance camera caught the suspect standing on the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect is described as a black female approximately 5’4″ tall.

The suspect sprayed the victim in the face with an unknown liquid and took her purse.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a darker blue sedan.

If you have any information, please call the Robbery section of the WPD at 268-4362, or you can call

Crime Stoppers of Wichita/Sedgwick County at 267-2111 and you will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a CASH reward.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Topeka man with a long criminal record was sentenced to life in prison for a fatal traffic accident that occurred while he was fleeing police.

Sixty-three-year-old Sherman Norman Jenkins was sentenced Monday for first-degree murder in the February 2016 death of Mia Holden. Jenkins won’t be eligible for parole for 25 years.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Jenkins had 33 offenses dating back to 1972 in his criminal record.

Holden, the mother of six children, was killed when the stolen pickup truck Jenkins was driving hit a vehicle she was riding in as Jenkins was fleeing from police.

The police chase began when officers tried to stop the truck because its tail lights weren’t working.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump nomination of Neil Gorsuch to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court (all times EDT):
8:04 p.m.
President Donald Trump has nominated federal appeals judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

 

The 49-year-old Gorsuch has served on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver since 2006, after being appointed by President George W. Bush. He once worked at the Supreme Court as a law clerk.

If approved by the Senate, Gorsuch would take the seat left vacant since Justice Antonin Scalia died last year. Republicans refused to consider President Barack Obama’s nominee for the seat, saying the choice should go Obama’s successor.
He would be the youngest justice since Clarence Thomas joined the court in 1991 at age 43.
Trump made the announcement Tuesday in a prime-time address from the White House.