The Jackson County prosecutor’s office says 28-year-old Preston Moore has been charged with the murder counts, as well as driving while intoxicated and driving with a revoked license.
Authorities say 29-year-old Laura Humphrey and 31-year-old Ryan Humphrey were in a northbound vehicle on U.S. Highway 71 when a car being driven the wrong way by Moore crashed into them on Nov. 11. The Humphreys were killed. Moore was critically injured.
Prosecutors say an open liquor bottle was found in Moore’s vehicle, and toxicology results showed he was drunk. Moore has a previous DWI conviction.
Prosecutors have requested a bond of $100,000 for Moore.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – Udoka Azubuike scored 21 points and Devonte’ Graham added 15 to help No. 13 Kansas beat No. 20 West Virginia 77-69 on Saturday night.
Both teams struggled to create much separation in the first half, neither establishing more than a six-point lead. After being tied at halftime, the Mountaineers (19-8, 8-6 Big 12) took the lead with 17:22 left and held it until the game was tied again at 66 with about two minutes remaining. The Jayhawks (20-7, 10-4 Big 12) wouldn’t reclaim the lead until Svi Mykhailiuk hit a pair of free throws 30 seconds later.
Daxter Miles Jr. led West Virginia with 22 points, and hit 6-of-9 shots from behind the arc. Jevon Carter added 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
The Mountaineers stayed close hitting 14 of 26 3-point attempts. Meanwhile, Kansas had an off night shooting the ball from deep, hitting just 31.8 percent of their tries. The Jayhawks led the Big 12 and were No. 19 in the country in 3s per game heading in.
The Mountaineers had previously won 74 of their last 76 games when holding opponents to 69 points or less.
West Virginia has still yet to win in Allen Fieldhouse, falling to 0-6 in the building. It’s won in every other Big 12 arena since joining the conference in 2012, but hasn’t found the formula for doing so in Lawrence.
BIG PICTURE:
Kansas earns a much-needed home win after struggling to do so at times throughout the season. The Jayhawks are still just one game back of Texas Tech, who they will face on the road a week from tonight.
West Virginia is in danger of falling out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in 50 weeks, dating back to 2015. The Mountaineers are now three games back of Texas Tech, and sit tied with Kansas State for third.
UP NEXT:
Kansas has a quick turnaround, playing host to Oklahoma and Trae Young Monday night.
West Virginia hits the road once again, traveling south to face Baylor on Tuesday.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The company processing Medicaid applications in Kansas faces fines of up to $250,000 a day and the loss of its state contract because it is far out of compliance with the required performance standards.
Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican FILE PHOTO / KANSAS NEWS SERVICE
The state sent Maximus a non-compliance letter Jan. 30 that gives the Virginia-based company until June 1 to fix problems that include only 40 percent accuracy on financial payments. State Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf disclosed the action during a meeting of a legislative oversight committee Friday.
If the company fails to shape up, it could face fines retroactive to the beginning of the year, possibly totaling tens of millions of dollars.
The oversight committee’s chairman, Republican state Rep. Dan Hawkins, of Wichita, said returning the processing of Medicaid applications to state workers is a serious possibility.
“If they don’t get this fixed, they’re gone,” Hawkins said.
Maximus spokeswoman Lisa Miles said the company immediately instituted a compliance plan and is committed to being in compliance by June 1.
Miles said in a written statement that Maximus is working with the state on improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy and the time it takes to process applications.
The Medicaid program provides health coverage to more than 370,000 poor, disabled and elderly Kansas residents. Maximus operates an application processing clearinghouse that employs about 350 people, including some state workers.
Kansas has experienced problems processing Medicaid applications since then-Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration opened the clearinghouse in 2015. At one time, a backlog of unprocessed applications grew large enough to draw the attention of federal regulators.
Hamdorf said an examination of the company’s performance on a single day — Feb. 7 — showed enough shortfalls that the company would have to pay $250,000 or more in fines for that day alone. The company is required to handle financial payments with 98 percent accuracy and has fallen behind on handling applications and cases, according to the state.
The Medicaid director also described what he called a sense of despair among Maximus employees at the clearinghouse.
“It’s a completely different work environment on our side of the house and their side of the house and I think that’s because we at the state value the employees that work for us,” he told legislators.
Miles said the company makes every effort to ensure employees have a “professional, safe and enjoyable work environment.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash.
First responders on the scene of Saturday’s fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH TV
Just before 11:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to an injury accident at 119th Street west and Beaumont in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.
The investigation showed a funeral precession was south bound on 119th Street and north bound vehicles were stopped showing respect.
A 31-year-old male driver in a green minivan traveling northbound, failed to stop for the stopped vehicles, and rear-ended a small red sport utility vehicle occupied by a 59-year-old woman and her mother. The 59-year-old driver unfortunately succumbed to her injuries on the scene, according to Davidson.
The mother and the diver of the minivan were taken to an area hospital for medical treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Davidson did release the name of the victim.
The Wichita Police Department Critical Accident Team responded to assist in the investigation.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – Dean Wade nearly grabbed a triple-double in Kansas State’s 78-66 victory over Iowa State on Saturday.
Wade shot 9 of 13 for 22 points while also grabbing eight rebounds and collecting nine assists.
After a deadlocked 33-33 halftime score, the Wildcats (19-8, 8-6 Big 12 Conference) exploded for 45 second-half points on 17-of-29 shooting. Joining Wade in double-figure scoring was Barry Brown, who scored 16 second-half points for a total of 20, and Xavier Sneed, who scored 17 points on seven shots.
After a slow start, Iowa State (13-13, 4-10) managed to get the game close and tied it several times but could not ever capture the lead.
Cameron Lard scored 15 points on 7-of-12 shooting for the Cyclones.
BIG PICTURE
Kansas State: The win against Iowa State pushes the Wildcats to 19 wins and they are two wins away from matching last season’s win total.
Iowa State: The loss by Iowa State will guarantee that the Cyclones will have a losing conference record for the first time in three seasons under coach Steve Prohm.
THEY SAID IT
“We were in the same situation last week, against Texas Tech. I said to the guys during halftime, ‘What’s your dreams? What’re your goals and what’s your vision? Don’t let them (Iowa State) take that from you.”‘ – Kansas State head coach Bruce Weber on what he told his team at halftime.
STATS AND STREAKS
The win over Iowa State is the first win at home for Kansas State during February.
UP NEXT
Iowa State: Iowa State hosts TCU on Wednesday.
Kansas State: Kansas State hosts Texas on Wednesday.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Board of Regents member and commissioner for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, has been arrested on suspicion of domestic battery.
Brandau-Murguia -photo Wyandotte Co.
50-year-old Ann Brandau-Murguia was arrested Friday evening and booked into the Wyandotte County Detention Center. She was released on her own recognizance a short time later. Brandau-Murguia is the wife of Kansas U.S District Judge Carlos Murguia.
While the booking report indicates Brandau-Murguia committed bodily harm to a family member, Brandau-Murguia said in a statement posted on her professional Facebook page that the incident involved a longtime friend, not a family member.
Brandau-Murguia said in the statement that she and the friend “were involved in a misunderstanding that resulted in an argument and physical contact.”
Brandau-Murguia did not immediately return messages sent Saturday via email and on social media platforms seeking comment.
ELLIS COUNTY —On Monday, February 12, Hays law enforcement received a report of an alleged threat made by a 14-year-old male child against Hays High School, according to a media release from the Ellis County Attorney.
The Hays Police Department immediately investigated the alleged threat in cooperation with Hays High School. As a result of the investigation, the 14-year-old male was taken into Police Protective Custody.
The child was placed in detention through Juvenile Services of Northwest Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority. On Thursday, a District Magistrate Judge ordered continued detention to allow the Ellis County Attorney’s Office to file a Child In Need of Care action. The Child In Need of Care action has been filed, and the child remains in state custody.
The child’s family has fully cooperated in this matter. Hays High School has fully cooperated in this matter. The Hays Police Department responded quickly and appropriately to take custody of the young man to protect him and the community. There is no indication that any other person(s) are involved in the alleged threat. There is no reason to believe that any further danger exists regarding this incident. The investigation into this incident continues by the Hays Police Department.
“This incident serves as a good example of community policing. Information was brought forward to law enforcement, who immediately responded. The cooperation of law enforcement and the school quickly ended the alleged threat,” Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees said in a news release. “It is incumbent upon all citizens to report information they have of possible harm to the community to law enforcement. Law enforcement and citizens working together provide the best opportunity to prevent crime and help keep our community safe.”
Child In Need of Care proceedings in Kansas are confidential. No further information about the child will be forthcoming.
Sam McGuiness poses in Barton’s welding classroom with another student hard at work behind him.
BUSINESS NEWS
Sam McGinnis knows at the young age of 19 what it means to be a productive member of society.
McGinnis is both a Great Bend High School and Barton Community College Welding program student. He also works at Scott’s Welding and Orscheln’s. His work ethic is driven by his desire to afford some luxuries in life.
“To have nice things you have got to work for them; it doesn’t come easy,” he said. “You leave when its dark and you get home when its dark.”
An average day for McGinnis involves waking up and attending high school until 12:30 p.m. He then drives to Barton Community College and starts welding courses at 1 p.m. Once classes are over, around 3:30 p.m., he goes to work at Scott’s Welding.
McGinnis attained his job with Scott’s Welding before he started classes at Barton. He heard they needed someone to clean and sweep the floors. After an interview, he landed the job and began to work and take in knowledge from those around him.
“I started learning and watching them weld,” McGinnis said. “I thought I might as well try it.”
McGinnis could have taken many paths to become a welder, he chose Barton Community College because it is local and efficient.
“It’s quick and to the point, and you are not wasting time and money going to a bigger school when you can learn here, close, and get it out of the way,” he said.
Barton’s Welding program prepares students for a career with a 16-credit-hour certificate, which can be completed in one semester.
“The experience [at Barton] has been good; the instructor is always there to help you,” McGinnis said.
Having the job and hands-on training at Barton was something he said was extremely beneficial. Now McGinnis has been able to take on some more tasks besides cleaning at Scott’s Welding.
“Every day is something different,” he said. “You get to learn what it is like to be working on the job.”
McGinnis said he would encourage future students to attend Barton.
“Getting your hands on the equipment and practicing welding prepares you for the standard welder’s test instead of just walking in and taking the test expecting to pass and getting frustrated because you failed,” he said. “Patience and practice make a good welder.”
For more information, visit welding.bartonccc.edu or call (620) 792-9278.
The Kansas Emergency Management Association (KEMA) is still accepting applications for the KEMA Scholarship. Two $400 scholarships will be awarded. The application period will be open until February 23, 2018 at 5PM. Any applications received after that time will not be eligible.
The KEMA Scholarship is intended to further the training and education of current and future Emergency Managers of Kansas by expanding their knowledge of emergency management and enhancing their ability to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from disasters.
This scholarship is awarded to a current KEMA Member and/or student seeking professional development or a degree in the field of emergency or disaster management. Applicants must be a resident of the State of Kansas and demonstrate the values of KEMA: professionalism, teamwork, responsiveness, and leadership. Scholarship committee members, KEMA Board Members, previous year award recipients and their families are not eligible to receive the scholarship. Applicant must obtain an overall grade point average of at least a 3.0 and at least a 3.0 on all EM / DSM coursework for undergraduate work and a 3.0 for graduate work respectively.
Interested individuals will need to submit electronically an application and supporting documentation to KEMA Scholarship Committee Chair, Jillian Rodrigue (jrodrigue@douglascounty.org ) by 5:00 p.m. on February 23, 2018. Applications and more information is available at https://www.kema.org/content/scholarships .
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Chiefs signed free-agent cornerback David Amerson on Friday to provide secondary depth.
The veteran cornerback has made 56 starts and appeared in 68 games over five seasons with the Washington Redskins and the Chiefs’ AFC West rival, the Oakland Raiders. He’s made 249 tackles, picked off eight passes and returned two four touchdowns.
The Chiefs spent much of last year searching for a cornerback to start opposite Marcus Peters, and ultimately signed Darrelle Revis late in the season. Revis was released this past week.
The Chiefs are also due to get Kendall Fuller from the Redskins once their trade of Alex Smith to Washington becomes official next month. Kansas City also gets a draft pick in the deal.
