GEARY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and theft charges.
Just after 11:30p.m. Wednesday police stopped a vehicle on Interstate 70 at J Hill Road. Deputies arrested
Todd Lubbers, Hamilton, Ohio, on suspicion of Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Todd Lubbers
They also arrested Chelsea Chamberlin, Hamilton, Ohio and Elizabeth Swetland, Port Richey Florida on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on felony theft charges.
In mid-August, the relative on an elderly woman in a Lindsborg nursing home contacted police about another family member was using his grandmother’s financial card without permission, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.
The relative was responsible with assisting the woman with finances.
An investigation revealed that 26-year-old Derrick Ellis of Salina used the card between May 5 and August 8 to purchase food, phone services, Hulu and to make cash withdrawals. Capt. Forrester said that the total loss was around $2,000, according to Forrester.
Ellis told police that he had permission to use the card and access to the personal identification number.
On Thursday, Police arrested Ellis and booked him into the Saline County Jail for forgery, 46 counts of criminal use of a financial card, 44 counts of theft by deception, felony theft and four counts of unlawful acts on a computer.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A fifth suspect has been charged in a triple homicide in Topeka on the same day that three others were ordered to stand trial.
Liles-photo Shawnee Co.
Kora Liles, 31, Topeka, was charged Wednesday with two first-degree murder counts. A preliminary hearing also ended with Brian Flowers, Joseph Lowry and Shane Mays being bound over for trial.
A police detective testified at the hearing that 19-year-old Matthew Leavitt, 38-year-old Nicole Fisher, and 20-year-old Luke Davis were strangled or smothered to death with trash bags in March. Deutsch says the violence stemmed from a rape allegation.
The defense argued that Mays was forced to participate to save his life. He, Flowers and Liles are charged in Fisher and Leavitt’s death. Lowry and a fifth person are charged in all three deaths. Police arrested Liles Sunday.
She is being held on a $1,000,000 bond, according to the Shawnee County Detention Center.
DOVER, Kan. (AP) — Girl Scouts of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri have announced plans to close one of its camps.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that programming and activities at Camp Daisy Hindman will cease Nov. 30 in Shawnee County.
Girl Scouts CEO Joy Wheeler says the decision was based on a steady decline in the resident camp program and operating at a loss of nearly $200,000.
The camp has been renovated several times in the past five years, including upgrades to its water and electrical infrastructure. The program also installed new cabins, a natural playground and a spray park.
A Facebook post by Sophie Devanney says she “found a home at Camp Daisy Hindman this summer.” She says she’s upset to hear about the closure but will “cherish every memory” she has.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Four of six members of Kansas’ congressional delegation are supporting a proposed federal tax code being developed by House and Senate Republicans.
U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, and Reps. Lynn Jenkins, Roger Marshall and Ron Estes all said Wednesday they support legislation that would reduce the corporate income tax rate from 35 to 20 percent. It also would reduce the top individual income tax rate from 39 percent to 35 percent.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports none of the four members’ statements on tax legislation discussed how the tax bill would affect the federal deficit.
Roberts said there is widespread bipartisan agreement on the need for tax reform and Congress should work together to take action on some most Americans support.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — A man got more than he bargained for when he attacked a kick-boxing instructor as she ran on a suburban Kansas City trail.
The Kansas City Star reports that 51-year-old Stephanie Steiniger, of Overland Park ripped her arm free and kicked him in the groin. Police say the apparent kidnapping attempt happened Tuesday night.
On Wednesday, Steiniger warned other women in a public plea while wearing a purple tank top that read, “Strong is the new pretty.” She says she always believes “everything happens for a reason” and that “maybe it’s so I can warn other women to be aware.”
Overland Park Police spokesman John Lacy says fighting back is important in a kidnapping attempt, even if the assailant has a weapon. Police are looking for a suspect.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Three men are in custody in a 2014 drive-by shooting that killed a 10-year-old girl inside a Kansas City, Kansas, home.
KMBC-TV reports that police also are looking for a fourth suspect in the killing of Machole Stewart. The spokesman for the Wyandotte County prosecutor’s office didn’t immediately return a phone call from The Associated Press seeking comment.
Cedric Sanders and Tommy Benson among those jailed for the shooting, according to the Wyandotte County Jail booking report.
Sanders- photo Wyandotte County
Machole was killed when bullets from a passing vehicle sprayed a home while she was at a family gathering inside. No one else inside the home was injured. Police have said the intended target was a 19-year-old relative.
Machole’s grandmother says the girl was “robbed” of “a beautiful life with her family.”
HARPER COUNTY— A sixth earthquake this week shook portions of Kansas.
On Thursday at 10:22 a.m., a quake that measured a magnitude 2.5 was centered approximately eight miles northwest of Harper, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Two earthquakes shook Kansas late Wednesday. Just before 11p.m. a quake that measured a magnitude 3.2 was centered approximately 14 miles northwest of Harper, according to the U.S.G.S. A few minutes later at 11:02 p.m. a 2.8 magnitude quake was recorded 16 miles northwest of Harper.
Three earthquake in two days shook the area earlier this week a quake at 8:30p.m. Tuesday measured a magnitude 2.7 and was centered approximately fourteen miles southeast of Harper, according to the U.S.G.S.
That followed a 2.6 magnitude quake at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday approximately five-mile northeast of Harper. On Monday, a 2.5 quake was centered thirteen miles northwest of Harper.
The USGS reported also reported a series of five quakes measuring 2.7 – 3.2 in Sedgwick, Harper and Sumner County September 10-15.
There are no reports of damage from Thursday’s quakes.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Latest on a federal fraud and bribery scandal in college basketball (all times local):
Oklahoma State assistant basketball coach Lamont Evans, a Kansas State alum and former Wildcat Assistant coach told a judge during an initial court appearance that he understands the allegations that he took bribes to influence star athletes.
Evans appeared before U.S. Magistrate Charles Goodwin on Wednesday but did not enter a plea. He spoke only to say that he understood the charges after they were read in court, and that he had not yet thoroughly discussed them with his lawyer.
Evans surrendered to federal marshals early Wednesday on federal corruption charges following an investigation into the criminal influence of money on coaches and players in the NCAA.
Evans showed no expression as he was escorted into the courtroom in handcuffs wearing a long-sleeved black Nike shirt and matching pants.
Evans faces six charges. Prosecutors allege he expected $2,000 a month for his services. According to court documents, Evans said it was necessary to use his influence over the youngsters early in their college careers because many of them are “one and done,” meaning they play one year of college ball before joining the NBA.
Evans was specifically told not to have contact with agent Christian Dawkins, financial adviser Munish Sood, Arizona assistant coach Emanuel Richardson and Southern California assistant Anthony Bland. Evans, a Bahamas native, was told to surrender his passport.
Evans’ bond was $50,000. He left the courthouse with lawyer, Trace Morgan, who said he did not have a statement. His next appearance will be Oct. 10 in New York.
Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder released a statement saying he was “shocked” by the allegations and learned about them through media reports. He called them “serious” and said they violate what the school stands for. He said Oklahoma State will cooperate with federal officials and coordinate with the NCAA in looking into the matter.
Evans graduated with a degree in social science from K-State in 2009. He worked with the Wildcat basketball program as a Student Assistant from 2008-09, a Graduate Manager from 2009-2011, and an Assistant Coach 2011-12, according to his OSU bio.
Steve Scalise arrived on crutches Thursday morning to a standing ovation in the House Chamber-image CSPAN
WASHINGTON (AP) — The congressman shot in June at a baseball practice is returning to work at the Capitol after three months in the hospital and at a rehabilitation facility.
That’s the word from Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s office. The Louisiana Republican will vote Thursday morning and address his colleagues on the House floor. This is his first public appearance since the shooting.
Welcome back, Whip! Let’s get ‘er done. We’ve missed you around here. https://t.co/YMZKKKFyhP
Scalise and four other people were injured June 14 when a gunman opened fire on a Republican baseball practice in nearby Alexandria, Virginia. U.S. Capitol Police and other officers returned fire and killed the gunman. The rifle-wielding attacker had nursed grievances against President Donald Trump and the GOP.
The 51-year-old congressman was struck in the hip, and the bullet tore into blood vessels, bones and internal organs.
