GRANT COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 2.a.m. Friday in Grant County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Peterbilt semi driven by Michael D. Barnes, 25, Garden City, was northbound on Kansas 25 north of Ulysses.

Joseph A. Humphreys, 67, Garden City, was laying in the east ditch of the highway, according to the KHP.

When the truck approached, Humphreys jumped from a prone position and was struck on the right side.

The truck came to rest in the northbound driving lane.

Humphreys was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Garnand Funeral Home, according to the KHP.

Barnes was not injured. The accident remains under investigation.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim.

Shortly after 3:00 p.m. Thursday, Topeka Police received a 911 call on a possible shooting in the at a home in the 2800 Block SE Highland Ct. The caller advised they believed there was one victim inside the residence.

When officers arrived, they located Eric B. Plummer, 32, Topeka, inside a residence with life threatening injuries consistent with being shot. He died at the scene.

Residents in the area report a possible suspect as a black male in his 30-40s wearing a black shirt and black shorts. This subject was seen running south and west from the area.

If anyone has any information about this incident they are encouraged to call police.

By DEWEY TERRILL

The possibility of a future partnership between Geary Community Hospital and Salina Regional Health Center has been raised.

Geary Community Hospital officials issued a news release Thursday afternoon stating the two hospitals have agreed to enter into a period of discovery to examine the potential of a strategic alliance to better serve the patients and families of their respective communities, plus central and northeastern Kansas. It is anticipated that this time of due diligence will last approximately 4 to 5 months.

“This fact finding phase is simply an exploratory time for both GCH and SRHC to analyze the possibility of a long-term strategic partnership,” said Joe Stratton Geary Community Hospital Executive Officer. The continuing turbulent times in the healthcare industry has given plenty of reason for the GCH Board of Trustees and Strategic Planning Committee to study potential long-term partners for a better future. Stratton added, “When the Kansas legislature last spring decided not to expand Medicaid, which would have meant some $1.8 million annually to GCH, this became a pivotal decision point for us in our strategy.”

Over the next several months both facilities will be working together to review options of how this partnership might look.

“The goal of this agreement is to explore improved patient care in the region and the potential of better coordination of services between our two hospitals. It also helps both organizations to determine the possibilities of long-term strategic partnerships to meet the needs and challenges of modern healthcare,” said Michael Terry, Chief Executive Officer for Salina Regional Health Center.

Salina Regional Health Center has affiliations with Cloud County Health Center in Concordia and Lindsborg Community Hospital.

MAJOR COUNTY, OK— The search for two inmates who escaped after overpowering prison transport officers in northwest Oklahoma moved to northeast Oklahoma after they were spotted at a convenience store in the Tulsa suburb of Sapulpa.

Major County Sheriff’s Deputy Gary Swymeler said Thursday that 32-year-old Andrew Foy and 37-year-old Darren Walp were seen on surveillance video Wednesday at a Quik Trip along Interstate 44, more than 130 miles from where the escaped.

Swymeler said the two could be heading to Pennsylvania or Delaware, where both have ties, or could still be in Oklahoma where Walp has ties.

Swymeler says they were driving a semitrailer stolen from the Oklahoma City suburb of El Reno when they stopped in Sapulpa and left the trailer in the store parking lot.

Authorities say Foy was being taken to Wyoming and Walp to Kansas, both to face charges for nonviolent offenses, when they escaped early Tuesday.

 

MAJOR COUNTY, OK — Investigators say two inmates who escaped after overpowering prison transport officers in northwest Oklahoma were spotted at a convenience store more than 130 miles away, according to a media release.

The Major County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that the men were seen on surveillance video just after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Quik Trip along Interstate 44 in the Tulsa suburb of Sapulpa.

The office says the two were no longer driving the Dodge pickup but a semitrailer reported stolen in the Oklahoma City suburb of El Reno. The black, 2007 Peterbilt semi has an Oklahoma tag number of 706-493.

Authorities say 32-year-old Andrew Foy and 37-year-old Darren Walp escaped after stealing the transport van Tuesday morning. The van was later found with an empty gun holster inside. Authorities say the inmates may be armed.

Authorities issued arrest warrants for both including charges of Kidnapping, Escape, Robbery, Unauthorized use of a vehicle and Assault and Battery with the Intent to commit a Felony, according to the Major County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say Foy was being taken to Wyoming and Walp to Kansas, both to face charges for nonviolent offenses.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Latest on the search in Oklahoma for two inmates who escaped a prison transfer service. (all times local):

3 p.m.

An Oklahoma sheriff says two escaped inmates who stole a prisoner transport van may be armed even though one of the guards escorting the inmates says he didn’t have a gun.

Major County Sheriff Steve Randolph says 32-year-old Andrew Foy and 37-year-old Darren Walp escaped Tuesday morning by overpowering two officers with Inmate Services Corporation.

The van was later found about 13 miles from where it was stolen, with an empty gun holster inside. Randolph says the guard told investigators he didn’t have a gun, but authorities are investigating whether he was being truthful.

Officials with the Arkansas-based transport company didn’t return a message seeking comment from The Associated Press.

Authorities say Foy was being transported from Pennsylvania to Wyoming, and Walp from Tennessee to Kansas, both to face charges for nonviolent offenses.

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Authorities say two inmates who escaped a transport van in Oklahoma were being taken to other states to face charges for nonviolent offenses.

Investigators in Oklahoma’s Major County say 32-year-old Andrew Foy and 37-year-old Darren Walp overpowered two transport officers Tuesday morning and took the van. The search Wednesday focused on a neighboring county where some of the inmates’ personal belongings were found.

The sheriff’s office in Laramie County, Wyoming, says Foy was being transported from Pennsylvania to face burglary, forgery and fraud charges in Wyoming.

Walp was being taken from Tennessee to Seward County, Kansas, where the sheriff’s office says he faces burglary charges.

Oklahoma authorities say the inmates may be armed. They say the van was found about 13 miles (21 kilometers) from where it was stolen, with an empty gun holster inside.

 

FAIRVIEW, Okla. (AP) — Authorities continue the search for 2 inmates who escaped after stealing a prison transport van in northwestern Oklahoma may now be armed.

Major County Sheriff Steve Randolph says inmates Andrew Foy and Darren Walp overpowered two transport officers about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and took the van on U.S. 412 north of Fairview. The small city is about 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Oklahoma City.

Authorities say the van was found about 13 miles (21 kilometers) away in Ringwood, and an empty gun holster was found inside. An oilfield company truck was later reported stolen in the area.

Authorities say the inmates were being taken by a transport company to a correctional facility in Kansas.

It was not immediately clear where the inmates were from or what crimes they were convicted of committing.