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US Attorney’s office stops cooperating in Kan. prison recordings probe

Photo by Sol Rosenberg

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The special master looking into the taping of attorney-client meetings and phone calls at the pretrial detention facility in Leavenworth, Kansas, says in a new report that the U.S. Attorney’s office in Kansas is no longer cooperating with the investigation.

Special Master David R. Cohen says in a report obtained by KCUR Radio that he received a 24-page letter last month from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stating that it will no longer provide him with information and documents he seeks.

A message on Monday seeking comment from the U.S. Attorney’s office was not immediately returned.

The decision may heighten suspicions that the office is concealing information about tapings from criminal defense lawyers, many of whom have filed motions to dismiss cases on the grounds that clients’ constitutional rights were violated.

Police ask for help to locate dangerous, Kan. robbery suspect

Brownell -photo Winfield Police

COWLEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated and are searching for a suspect last seen near downtown Winfield.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Monday, the Winfield Police Department received a request for assistance from officers with the Arkansas City Police Department concerning their search for a subject in connection with an aggravated robbery that occurred Saturday the Ark City Sonic. A residence was searched in the 1900 block of Booth Street but the subject in question was not located, according to a  social media report.

At approximately 1:50 p.m., officers spotted the subject in question, believed to be 23-year-old Austin Ty Brownell.

He was last seen wearing a white tee shirt, red hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a green backpack. Officers searched the area west of Millington in between the 1700 and 1800 blocks.

The subject was not located. After watching security camera video from a local business, it was determined the he fled northbound in the alley on the east side of Main Street. He  is considered dangerous. If you see this subject, please call 911 immediately. Anonymous tips can also be reported by calling Crimestoppers at 620-221-7777.

Triple-fatal shooting prompts increased security at Kansas venue

Law enforcement on the scene of the fatal shooting in Lawrence-photo courtesy WIBW TV

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A large downtown entertainment venue in Lawrence is ramping up security in the wake of recent fatal shootings nearby.

The Lawrence Journal World reports that all people attending events at Liberty Hall must now pass by handheld metal detectors to enter. The venue already prohibited guns, large bags and purses.

Three people were killed and two others injured on Oct. 1 near Liberty Hall, following an altercation. General manager Dean Edington says the venue wants to make sure that everyone there feels welcome and safe. He says the “world that we live in” requires more stringent security measures.Anthony L.

Roberts-photo Douglas Co.

Roberts Jr. of Topeka is charged with killing all three victims, and with attempted murder of one of the men who survived.

Company recalls vegetables sold nationwide over listeria fears

SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — A California company has voluntarily recalled packaged vegetables distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada because of possible bacterial contamination.

Mann Packing of Salinas says there have been no reported illnesses associated with the products. The recall was ordered last week after random testing in Canada turned up a single positive result for listeria.

The vegetables have “best if used by” dates from Oct. 11 through Oct. 20.

The recalled brands are: Signature Farms products sold at Albertsons; Archer Farms products sold at Target; kohlrabi salad blends sold at Trader Joe’s; several varieties of broccoli and cauliflower sold at Walmart; and at least 30 Mann branded bags of veggies.

Listeria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Kan. Ag community divided; USDA withdraws rule aimed at protecting farmers

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas agriculture community has been divided over a decision by the Trump administration to block new livestock rules from taking effect.

A division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture had proposed the rules that were scheduled to go into effect Thursday.

The new rules were intended to protect poultry producers from unfair commercial practices by food processing giants like Tyson Foods.

Republican Sen. Pat Roberts praised the decision to block the rules. He says the decision promotes economic prosperity and reduces regulatory burdens in the agricultural community.

But some groups disapprove of the decision. An official with the Organization for Competitive Markets says the block favors large agricultural corporations and hurts farmers and ranchers.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has killed a rule designed to protect the legal rights of farmers who raise chickens and hogs for the nation’s largest meat processors.

The rule would have made it easier for farmers to sue companies they contract with over unfair or deceptive practices.

It was rolled out in the final days of Barack Obama’s administration. But the USDA delayed it after President Donald Trump took office. On Tuesday, the agency withdrew it for good.

Farmers who have waited years for the rule are expressing disappointment. Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa farmer, accuses the Trump administration of “pandering to big corporations.”

Poultry and pork industry trade groups say the rule would have reduced competition and driven meat prices higher.

2 Kan. police officers placed on leave after 1 arrested for alleged stalking, misconduct

Price- photo Sedgwick Co

SEDGWICK COUNTY —  Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Wichita Police (WPD) officer on charges and two additional WPD officers are also on paid-administrative leave in connection with the investigation, according to officer Charley Davidson.

On Friday, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 46-year-old Joshua Price, according to the Sedgwick County booking report. He is a 21-year veteran of the WPD.  Deputies booked him for misdemeanor official misconduct and stalking.

The arrest was made by Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office after WPD requested them to investigate potential criminal conduct by the officer, according to a media release from officer Charley Davidson.

WPD officials requested the matter be investigated by the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, as part of a collaborative agreement made earlier this year to ensure transparency and avoid conflicts of interest.

Due to the ongoing investigation, police released no additional details Monday. Police will release additional details at the appropriate time, according to Police Chief Gordon Ramsey.  “This is an unfortunate situation,” said Ramsey. “The Wichita Police Department will continue to hold its officers to the highest standards and accountable when they fail to meet those standards. We will continue to improve transparence and public trust in part by working with other agencies on such matters.”

Kansas schools won’t group by grade level for remake plan

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas public school officials are launching a project to overhaul the way education is delivered in the state.

The Kansas State Board of Education members were briefed about the program Wednesday. The “Kansans Can” vision is an initiative to completely change the way K-12 education is taught in Kansas over the next 10 years.

Officials say the project involves tearing apart a 100-year-old structure in which public education is organized around grade levels that are generally determined by a student’s age.

Seven school districts are expected to have new, individualized structures in place by August 2018.

State Education Commissioner Randy Watson says the project grew out of a statewide listening tour in 2015. People said they want schools to teach character development, citizenship and work ethics.

2 KU students arrested for alleged rape in campus dorm room

Downs residence hall photo courtesy University of Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say two University of Kansas students have been arrested on suspicion of rape at a residence hall.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the KU Public Safety Office says campus police made the arrests Saturday. KU Police Deputy Chief James Anguiano said in a news release that a female student reported that she was sexually assaulted by two acquaintances, at different times, early Saturday in her room at Cora Downs Residence Hall.

Anguiano says the suspects were taken to the Douglas County Jail following interviews and an investigation. Jail booking logs show that two 19-year-old men were booked on suspicion of rape following their arrests by KU police.

No other details were immediately available.

Police: Kansas man wounded after teens attempt to rob father, son

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and searching for the suspects.

Just before 9:30p.m., a man and his 16yr-old-son were walking in the area of SE 37th and Adams in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Steve Roth.

A dark colored Saturn passenger car pulled up and got their attention. A heavy set black male teen passenger got out of the car armed with a revolver handgun and demanded everything from the victim.

The victim swatted at the gun then he and his son ran from the scene.

The suspect fired three shots; one of the rounds struck the victim, causing a non-life threatening injury. The suspect fled the scene and is at large.

The car was driven by a black female teen, and a third occupant was a white male teen in the back seat. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police Dept.  or Crime Stoppers.

Kan. man dead, 7-year-old hospitalized after I-70 off ramp crash

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 5p.m. Sunday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Chevy Impala driven by Dalen C. Jefferson, 31, Kansas City, was westbound on Interstate 70 off ramp at 57th Street at a high rate of speed.

The driver failed to stop at a red light, entered the intersection and the Impala collided with a northbound Chevy Tahoe driven by Estela Carrasco, 39, Kansas City, at it was heading through the intersection.

Jefferson was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the Impala Jayden Fleming, 7, Kansas City, was transported to Children’s Mercy.

Carrasco was transported to KU Medical Center. All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

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