SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an altercation with weapons and are looking for a suspect.

Just before noon Thursday, police were dispatched to a disturbance at a residence in the 1900 Block of North Minneapolis in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

A 26-year-old woman told police she got into an argument with her 31-year-old boyfriend. During the disturbance, the woman went to her vehicle in the driveway.  The suspect threw a rock that damaged the vehicle.

He also stabbed a dog that was in the front yard and fled the residence. Animal control transported the dog for treatment. The prognosis is that the dog will recover, according to Davidson.  He did not release the name of the suspect.

Authorities want to talk to the suspect and ask that anyone with information to call police.

TOPEKA – Governor Brownback on Thursday authorized state agencies to grant a 2.5 percent raise to any unclassified employee in the Executive Branch who was left out of the Legislature’s pay plan, according to a media release.

The decision comes after consultation with members of the Governor’s Cabinet, the Director of the Budget, and state employees.

The Governor does not have the legal authority to extend raises to only those classified employees who did not receive an increase from the Legislature, only further legislative action could do that. Therefore, the raise only applies to unclassified workers who fell through the pay plan criteria established by the legislature.

“This effort furthers the Governor’s commitment to rewarding employees for their performance and trust in their employer,” said Secretary of Administration Sarah Shipman said. “The administration is currently looking at the agency budgets for Fiscal Year 2019 to determine how inequities and salary compression can be further addressed. We look forward to working with the 2018 Legislature to further address this situation.”

The pay increases will utilize existing agency funds and take effect the pay period that starts Sunday, September 24th.

While most large agencies will utilize existing funds to allocate the raise via paychecks on an ongoing basis, some agencies will use one-time funds to give a bonus equivalent to the 2.5 percent increase.

Additional information will be provided to employees by agencies, including opportunities for classified employees to receive a pay increase by voluntarily accepting an unclassified position.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A conservative Kansas legislator says he would give money to North Korea before he’d support Kansas Public Radio.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported that Republican Rep. J.R. Claeys of Salina expressed disdain for public radio Wednesday in a tweet responding to a fundraising tweet by KPR Statehouse reporter Stephen Koranda.

I’d sooner give to DPRK News. At least their praise of dear leader is under duress. #ksleg https://t.co/GNbR8cDTPU

— Rep. J.R. Claeys (@jrclaeys) September 6, 2017

Claeys tweeted that he’d sooner give to “DPRK News” because its propaganda is “under duress.” DRPK is the acronym for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea.

Asked about the tweet, Claeys questioned in a message why anyone would be surprised that a Republican would balk at funding what he called a “democratic radio station.”

As for North Korea, Claeys retweeted a message suggesting that the U.S. has no reason not to launch a nuclear strike on that nation.

RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a series of robberies.

On Thursday, Police served a search warrant at 1604 E. 6th, the residence of 59-year-old Jeffrey Dean Howell.

Police arrested him without incident for the aggravated robberies that occurred at Dillon’s, 206 W. 5^th Street in Hutchinson, two Hutchinson Kwik Shops, The Subway in Hutchinson, and the Aggravated robbery of Vic’s Dog Grooming at 1017 E. 4^th Street which occurred in October of last year.

Howell was also faces charges for multiple counts of kidnapping.

He has prior convictions for burglary, and contributing to a child’s misconduct, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is expected in court on Friday.

LYON COUNTY— Authorities are investigating a possible homicide after a body was found in a burned vehicle approximately 5 miles east of Emporia, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies made the discovery Thursday morning while responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle near road T and 160 Road.

Several law enforcement agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report