LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities are investigating a report that a University of Kansas student sexually assaulted four female dormmates during the first few weeks of classes.
Oliver Hall at KU- google image
The 18-year-old man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of aggravated criminal sodomy and sexual battery, but was released from jail later that day without being charged. The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office sent the case back to police with a request for additional investigation. Police say the women reported being touched inappropriately from Aug. 23 to Aug. 30.
University spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson says the man is enrolled as a student but isn’t currently a resident of Oliver Hall, which houses both male and female students. She didn’t say whether he had been disciplined, citing federal privacy law.
BOOKED: Joel Munoz of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court with a bond set at $2,500 C/S. GBMC warrant for failure to appear with a bond set at $157.50 cash only.
BOOKED: Jacob Schenkel of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court warrants for contempt of court, bond set at $747.50. Warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $2,000. Warrant on probation violation with no bond.
BOOKED: Muriel Hunter of Ellinwood on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.
BOOKED: Brett Woods on Ellis County District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia with a $7,500 C/S.
RELEASED: Kristal Buck of Great Bend for BCDC case for distribution of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, endangering a child, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, no drug tax stamp, possession of hallucinogenic drug, possession of paraphernalia after receiving a $50,000 OR bond from BCDC.
RELEASED: Dominique Burrow on GBMC for contempt after receiving an order of release from GBMC.
RELEASED: David Collier on BTDC case for serve sentence after time served.
RELEASED: Dakota Kocher of Larned on BCDC warrant for aggravated battery while DUI after posting a $10,000 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite.
RELEASED: Jaime Ayala Jr. on BCDC warrant with an ankle monitor by PAAK Monitoring.
RELEASED: Joel Munoz of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite. GBMC warrant for failure to appear after posting $157.50 cash.
RELEASED: Muriel Hunter of Ellinwood on BCDC warrant for failure to appear after posting a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence police officer who shot at the car of a man suspected in a double shooting will not face criminal charges.
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KCTV
Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced Thursday that Sgt. Robert Neff would not be charged in the July 2 shooting in Lawrence.
Neff followed at a vehicle that police believe was associated with a double shooting earlier in the day. The suspect in the car, Tommy May, drove away and eventually crashed into a yard. Police say Neff got out of his patrol car and ordered May to get out of his vehicle.
May has previous convictions for robbery and aggravated robbery, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections
Instead May ran into Neff’s patrol car and eventually hit the officer.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — Eight family members who survived a duck boat sinking in Missouri have filed a federal lawsuit against the owner and operators of the tourist attraction.
Duck boat involved in the fatal accident- Photo courtesy NTSB
The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, on behalf of Ronita McKinley and her daughter, Tiffany Collins, both of Carlsbad, New Mexico; another daughter, Tomlyn McDonald, of Midland, Texas; and their families. Their attorneys say that although they survived the boat’s sinking July 19 on Table Rock Lake in Branson, the family will be “forever scarred” by the experience and by witnessing the deaths of 17 fellow passengers.
The lawsuit mirrors claims made in previously filed lawsuits that Ripley Entertainment and five other businesses disregarded weather warnings the day the boat sank and ignored long-standing warnings about flaws in the boats’ designs.
Ripley and the other defendants have declined to comment on pending litigation.
GBCF hosted a Hoisington Chamber Coffee in early August, presenting three Hoisington charities with grants.
Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce over $22,000 was awarded for our youth grant cycle. Golden Belt Community Foundation’s competitive grants bring in applications from several area nonprofits with a variety of needs. Awards are based on projects most closely aligned with specific grant criteria and available funding.
GBCF presented the Hoisington grantees their awards at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Coffee, held earlier in August. There were three charitable projects funded in Hoisington:
$6,825 – USD 431 Hoisington Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
USD 431’s Wellness Committee finds ways to make healthy choices available to kids, including education regarding sun safety. This grant, along with a match from the USD 431, will provide both Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary Schools each with a 10’ permanent square shade shelter. The proposed vender, ATHCO, is a Kansas based company with a reputation for providing durable recreation equipment.
$718 – City of Hoisington Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The City of Hoisington accepted a grant to continue to support youth recreational and educational activities on days school is not in session. The grant is a collaborative effort with Hoisington Recreation Commission and the students of the FCCLA chapter to create activities and programs to keep kids active on days off during the academic year and throughout the summer.
$500 – Hoisington Public Library Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
Because of the grant awarded to Hoisington Public Library, they were able to purchase over eighty new and replacement books for their young readers. Early readers, ages 5 to 12 years-old, are some of the most frequent visitors of the library. They will now be able to enjoy new content, along with the replacement of classic literature that was well-worn.
$12,030 – Assembly of God Church in Larned Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The church has taken on the task of providing the community with a full-size outdoor basketball court. The concrete portion of the court will be 95 by 50 feet and have two 54-inch basketball hoops. This space is available for use by the entire community of Larned.
$683 – St. John’s Episcopal Church in Great Bend The Children’s Fund
St. John’s is one of the local churches that works to ensure that kids have food over the weekend. They work with the schools and Kansas Food Bank in identifying kids that are food insecure and who are not getting enough food outside of school on a regular basis. This grant is to provide food for the weekend food backpack program.
$732 – St. John’s Child Development Center Wilhelm Campus Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The Wilhelm Campus needed a shed to store outside children’s toys and equipment from natural wearing caused by the weather. The grant assisted with not only the addition of a shed but also some additional toys.
$600 – Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
This grant is to assist an outdoor classroom. The library has been working on this space for the last three years. The grant is for three viewing tables, eight binoculars, and four digital cameras.
For questions regarding the competitive grant process, donor advised funds and other opportunities, please call Golden Belt Community Foundation at 620-792-3000 or email gbcf@goldenbeltcf.org.
RUSSELL COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges.
On Thursday afternoon, members of the Russell County Sheriff’s Office responded to 200 block of North Main in Luray and placed John A. “Jack” O’Leary under arrest on the strength of three outstanding warrants, according to a media release.
During the course of this arrest, information was obtained that led to a narcotics search warrant being served on O’Leary’s residence of Apartment B5 in the Regal Villa apartment complex.
Numerous items of evidence were recovered, and O’Leary’s preliminary Russell County charges include possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of prescription drugs.
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is providing assistance to Sept. 3 flood victims and their immediate family members who may need to replace birth and marriage certificates damaged or destroyed by this event.
Fees will be waived for residents of Jewell, Kingman, Marshall, Pratt and Riley counties who qualify as flood victims. This service will be offered through Oct. 5.
“Picking up the pieces after a natural disaster can be a challenge,” said KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen. “We hope by offering this service for free, we can assist residents with their recovery efforts.”
Individuals may mail applications to the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics, or they can visit the KDHE Office of Vital Statistics in Topeka to qualify for their fee to be waived.
For additional questions, please call Vital Statistics at 785-296-1400, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.kdheks.gov/vital.
Barton County Sheriff’s Office Incident Log (9/6)
Download Trading Post Classified Form CLICK HERE
Both the Great Bend boys and girls took 2nd Thursday at the Swather Cross Country Special in Hesston.
