SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities continue to investigating reports of a missing Kansas woman.
Maize police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating 30-year-old Kendra Leigh Nystrom who has now been missing for over four months, according to a media release.
Kendra was last seen around 10:30 AM on the morning of May 4, 2017. She left her parents’ home in the 12000 block of West 29th Street North with only her dog. She left the house on foot leaving her personal belongings, car and cell phone behind. This residence is located adjacent to the Cowskin Creek which was running above capacity due to recent heavy rains. Moderate flooding was occurring in the area at the time.
On May 10, 2017, an area resident recorded what appeared to be some type of altercation between a man and a woman at the intersection of 37th Street North and 135th Street West, which is approximately a mile and a half from the Nystrom’s home.
The video showed a woman getting out of and running away from a car stopped at the intersection and a male chasing after her. Both subjects ultimately returned to the car which left traveling south on 135th Street West. We have not been able to identify the parties involved in the incident or if the incident was in anyway related to Kendra’s disappearance.
Kendra had spent the night before her disappearance at a motel on West Kellogg in Wichita and may have frequented motels along west Kellogg and or south Broadway. We have received several tips of sightings of Kendra in the areas of South Broadway in Wichita, the Plainview neighborhood in Southeast Wichita and the Oaklawn community in South Wichita, however we have not been able to verify or confirm any of these sightings. While we have spoken with numerous individuals who know Kendra, none have seen or heard from her since the date she went missing.
Kendra is described as awhite female with reddish brown hair. She is approximately 5’4″ tall and weighs between 100 and 120 lbs. She also has the initials “R.J.” tattooed on her left ring finger. Her dog is a black and gray male Chihuahua mix named Frankie.
We are asking for owners of property adjacent to the Cowskin Creek south of 29th Street North to check areas near the creek. We would also like to speak with the individuals involved in the incident that occurred on May 10 at the intersection of 37th Street North and 135th Street West in Sedgwick County.
These cases, no matter the age of the missing person, take a toll on family. It is highly unusual for Kendra to go more than a week without talking to her mother. It has now been over four months. On behalf of the Nystrom family, we are asking for anyone who has any information about Kendra’s disappearance or current whereabouts to call 9-1-1 or the Maize Police Department at 316-425-3356. We know someone either knows Kendra’s whereabouts or holds the key to her disappearance. It is important we hear from you. Information and tips may also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 316-267-2111 or 1-800-222-TIPS.
HUTCHINSON—Cleanup and repairs are being done in preparation for the Kansas State Fair after a number of teens vandalized displays and buildings over the weekend.
Police report that a number of 13-year-old teens used knives to slash tents near the Gate 3 area, spray painted a number of portable buildings on display and several fair structures, and poured stain over a number of hot tubs at a vendor’s booth.
Fair GM Susan Sankey says she is disappointed by the actions of the teens and that the damage is still being assessed. She also noted that law enforcement’s presence will certainly be stepped up from now until the fair is over.
Sankey says repairs to their buildings are being made, although some are just temporary, especially where some buildings were attacked with spray paint. Several vendors had damage either to tents or product to an extent that is not known at this time.
Police took the youth in Sunday morning after responding to the report of a stolen truck from Skaets restaurant. The pickup was found inside the fairgrounds, which led to the discovery of the teens and the damage.
Officers say the vandalism is a felony due to the dollar amount of the damage done.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Latest on reaction to the Trump administration’s decision to end a program protecting young immigrants from deportation (all times local):
Young immigrants are expressing their distress following President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind an immigration program for those who were brought to the United States illegally as children.
In Wichita, the Sunflower Community Action Organization held an afternoon rally at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. A small crowd in attendance held signs and listened to speakers
In New York, 26-year-old Karen Marin was in a physics class at Bronx Community College when she heard the news Tuesday.
Marin says she’s trying to pull herself together and hopes administration officials will change their minds and “realize what they’re doing is wrong.”
In Miami, 23-year-old Colombian Paola Martinez sobbed at the news and says she feels helpless. Martinez says it’s a step backward and she’ll be hiding “in the shadows again” when her work permit expires.
Protests are occurring across the country, including outside Trump Tower in Manhattan, where more than 30 people have been arrested.
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12 p.m.
University of California President Janet Napolitano has denounced what she calls President Donald Trump’s “misguided” decision to end a program protecting immigrants who were illegally brought to the U.S. as children.
Napolitano is urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to protect young immigrants from deportation.
The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it will phase out the program in six months.
Elsewhere, the presidents of the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University system joined Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in decrying Trump’s decision.
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11:05 a.m.
Hundreds of teachers and students are demonstrating outside Metro State University in Denver to protest President Donald Trump’s decision to repeal a program protecting young immigrants from deportation.
Protesters held posters Tuesday saying, “Accept my resistance and expect my resistance” and “No borders, no nations, no racists, no deportations.”
Demonstrations are occurring nationwide, including outside Trump Tower in Manhattan, near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Phoenix, and in Miami, where young immigrants from Honduras, Mexico and Colombia are expressing shock and sadness.
In Los Angeles, marchers are gathering downtown.
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10:30 a.m.
Protests are underway after President Donald Trump’s decision to phase out a program for thousands of young immigrants who were brought into the United States illegally as children.
Police in New York handcuffed and removed over a dozen immigration activists who briefly blocked Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in front of Trump Tower. The protest Tuesday began with a march down the street and grew to about 400 people. Some cried as they held hands during a sit-in.
In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel told youths at a high school with a large number of students in the country illegally that they are welcome. The mayor says Chicago schools will be a “Trump-free zone.”
In Los Angeles, city and county officials plan to express their opposition at midday.
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WICHITA — Nationwide protests are expected Tuesday as young immigrants fight to keep Obama-era protections President Donald Trump vows to dismantle, while they prepare for the worst.
The second day of protests is anticipated amid reports that Trump will announce that he’s doing away with the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which protects those brought into the country illegally as children.
The young immigrants are preparing for the unknown, with Trump expected to end the program but with a six-month delay to give Congress time to decide if it wants to address the status of the law.
Details of the changes were not clear, including what would happen if lawmakers failed to pass a measure by the deadline.
A rally in support of the program is planned for the Sedgwick County Courthouse Tuesday.
The Sunflower Community Action organization encouraged supporters in Kansas to attend the rally “Announcement to come out at 10 am our time tomorrow by Attorney General Jeff Sessions instead of President Trump himself. Please join us at our response rally at 2 pm at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. Signs are welcomed since it will be outside.”
Supporters of the program took to the streets Monday in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, South Carolina and elsewhere.
DOUGLAS COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal weekend shooting and have made an arrest.
Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, officers responded to a motel in the 1100 Block of North 3rd Street in Lawrence after report of a shooting, according to a media release.
Officers encountered shooting victims. One of the men identified as a 23-year-old Lenexa man died of his injuries. The other two victims were transported to a hospital for treatment of possible life-threatening injuries.
Tyrone J. Carvin, 19, also suffered from a gunshot wound, was treated and released from a Kansas City area hospital. He is currently in custody in Kansas City on a warrant issued for his arrest in relation to the shooting.
Authorities will bring Carvin to Douglas County to face charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery x2,
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS (8477).
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities released new details Tuesday as they continue the investigation of the remains of a child found at a home in Wichita over the weekend.
In March of 2017 Carlo Brewer contacted police and the Department of Children and Families over the welfare of his three-year-old son Evan, according to Lt. Jeff Gilmore if the Wichita Police Department.
The child was in the custody of his mother 36-year-old Miranda Miller and living at a residence in the 2000 Block of South Vine in Wichita.
In April, an allegation of abuse of a three-year-old child was reported to the DCF. The agency investigated the allegation and on July 6, a court issued a protection from abuse order to Carlo Brewer on behalf of his son, according to Gilmore.
Wichita Police continued to work to locate Brewer’s son. Police and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department repeatedly attempted formal service of the protection from abuse order to the mother.
Miller
Officers used surveillance, spoke to neighbors and contacted the residence but were not able to locate the child or his mother. Information indicated the mother left the state with the child but authorities had no specific location, according to Gilmore.
In late August officers learned the mother was aware of the protection from abuse order and was actively eluding officer’s attempt to serve the order.
On August 30, police located Miller in Wichita without the child and arrested her for aggravated interference of child custody. Police also arrested Stephen Bodine, 40, who was living at the residence. He was booked on charges in an aggravated assault case, according to police booking records.
Bodine -photo KDOC has previous convictions for Aggravated Battery
Just after 10a.m. Saturday, police were called to the residence in the 2000 Block of South Vine. The owner of the property had evicted Miller and Bodine and was cleaning the residence. He alerted police to a suspicious concrete structure with an unusual odor inside the home. Police removed the concrete structure and found the remains of a three-year-old inside. They believe it is the body of Evan Brewer, according to Gilmore. Police hope to have DNA results back to confirm the identity of the body in two weeks.
As the investigation into the death continues, anyone that may have had contact with Evan or his mother are asked to call Wichita Police Homicide Division.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating after police found the remains of a child.
According to media release, officers were called Saturday to a residence in the 2000 block of south Vine in Wichita after a property owner discovered a suspicious concrete structure emitting an odor.
Police removed the structure and found the remains of a child, about 3 years old, inside the concrete.
A 40-year-old man and 36-year-old woman, residents of the property, were arrested earlier last week. They are being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on charges associated with a child custody case, according to police.
There is a tentative identification of the child. Confirmation is being coordinated through the Sedgwick County Medical Examiner, according to police. No additional details were released late Sunday.
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Roger Marshall issued the following statement following the Trump administration’s announcement Tuesday morning on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA):
Rep. Roger Marshall
“The young people covered by DACA are not just a statistic on a DHS report. These are friends of my children, brothers and sisters of babies I’ve delivered, and members of my community. They didn’t put themselves in this position, and my heart goes out to them.
The United States is in this position due to the unilateral approach the previous administration took toward enacting DACA. It is because of that one-sided approach that we now have uncertainty and inconsistency throughout the entire immigration system. Consistency should be the hallmark of American governance.
Our resources, especially as they pertain to deportation, must remain focused on getting rid of bad people who present a danger to the American citizen – not a young person who is here simply due to circumstance. To date, 787,000 young people have legally registered with the U.S. government, and showed their willingness to follow our laws. We cannot allow that information to now be used against them in reverse order.
We are having these conversations now in Congress. Just a month ago, a Democrat colleague of mine and I got a bipartisan group of freshmen Members of Congress in a room to discuss what we can do to move forward on bipartisan, thoughtful solutions to the crises many communities and families are now facing.
Congress must use legal, legislative avenues to figure out how to help these young people, so long as they follow our laws. My priorities on this issue have always been, and will remain, to secure the border and help develop a workable visa for our farmers and producers back home. We must do right by them, by these young people and the safety of the American public.”
WASHINGTON — Attorney General Jeff Session announced President Donald Trump’s decision to phase out a program that shields from deportation young immigrants brought to the country illegally
The President is calling for Congress to find a legislative solution to protect the immigrants, who are often called “Dreamers.”
Attorney General Jeff Sessions during Monday’s announcement-image U.S. Dept. of Justice
Trump suggested in an earlier tweet Tuesday that it would be up to Congress to ultimately decide the fate of those covered by President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA program. DACA has provided nearly 800,000 young immigrants a reprieve from deportation and the ability to work legally in the U.S.
The Attorney General’s statement:
Good morning. I am here today to announce that the program known as DACA that was effectuated under the Obama Administration is being rescinded.
The DACA program was implemented in 2012 and essentially provided a legal status for recipients for a renewable two-year term, work authorization and other benefits, including participation in the social security program, to 800,000 mostly-adult illegal aliens.
This policy was implemented unilaterally to great controversy and legal concern after Congress rejected legislative proposals to extend similar benefits on numerous occasions to this same group of illegal aliens.
In other words, the executive branch, through DACA, deliberately sought to achieve what the legislative branch specifically refused to authorize on multiple occasions. Such an open-ended circumvention of immigration laws was an unconstitutional exercise of authority by the Executive Branch.
The effect of this unilateral executive amnesty, among other things, contributed to a surge of unaccompanied minors on the southern border that yielded terrible humanitarian consequences. It also denied jobs to hundreds of thousands of Americans by allowing those same jobs to go to illegal aliens.
We inherited from our Founders—and have advanced—an unsurpassed legal heritage, which is the foundation of our freedom, safety, and prosperity.
As the Attorney General, it is my duty to ensure that the laws of the United States are enforced and that the Constitutional order is upheld.
No greater good can be done for the overall health and well-being of our Republic, than preserving and strengthening the impartial rule of law. Societies where the rule of law is treasured are societies that tend to flourish and succeed.
Societies where the rule of law is subject to political whims and personal biases tend to become societies afflicted by corruption, poverty, and human suffering.
To have a lawful system of immigration that serves the national interest, we cannot admit everyone who would like to come here. That is an open border policy and the American people have rightly rejected it.
Therefore, the nation must set and enforce a limit on how many immigrants we admit each year and that means all can not be accepted.
This does not mean they are bad people or that our nation disrespects or demeans them in any way. It means we are properly enforcing our laws as Congress has passed them.
It is with these principles and duties in mind, and in light of imminent litigation, that we reviewed the Obama Administration’s DACA policy.
Our collective wisdom is that the policy is vulnerable to the same legal and constitutional challenges that the courts recognized with respect to the DAPA program, which was enjoined on a nationwide basis in a decision affirmed by the Fifth Circuit.
The Fifth Circuit specifically concluded that DACA had not been implemented in a fashion that allowed sufficient discretion, and that DAPA was “foreclosed by Congress’s careful plan.”
In other words, it was inconsistent with the Constitution’s separation of powers. That decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court by an equally divided vote.
If we were to keep the Obama Administration’s executive amnesty policy, the likeliest outcome is that it would be enjoined just as was DAPA. The Department of Justice has advised the President and the Department of Homeland Security that DHS should begin an orderly, lawful wind down, including the cancellation of the memo that authorized this program.
Acting Secretary Duke has chosen, appropriately, to initiate a wind down process. This will enable DHS to conduct an orderly change and fulfill the desire of this administration to create a time period for Congress to act—should it so choose. We firmly believe this is the responsible path.
Simply put, if we are to further our goal of strengthening the constitutional order and the rule of law in America, the Department of Justice cannot defend this type of overreach.
George Washington University Law School Professor Jonathan Turley in testimony before the House Judiciary Committeewas clear about the enormous constitutional infirmities raised by these policies.
He said: “In ordering this blanket exception, President Obama was nullifying part of a law that he simply disagreed with.….If a president can claim sweeping discretion to suspend key federal laws, the entire legislative process becomes little more than a pretense…The circumvention of the legislative process not only undermines the authority of this branch but destabilizes the tripartite system as a whole.”
Ending the previous Administration’s disrespect for the legislative process is an important first step. All immigration policies should serve the interests of the people of the United States—lawful immigrant and native born alike.
Congress should carefully and thoughtfully pursue the types of reforms that are right for the American people. Our nation is comprised of good and decent people who want their government’s leaders to fulfill their promises and advance an immigration policy that serves the national interest.
We are a people of compassion and we are a people of law. But there is nothing compassionate about the failure to enforce immigration laws.
Enforcing the law saves lives, protects communities and taxpayers, and prevents human suffering. Failure to enforce the laws in the past has put our nation at risk of crime, violence and even terrorism.
The compassionate thing is to end the lawlessness, enforce our laws, and, if Congress chooses to make changes to those laws, to do so through the process set forth by our Founders in a way that advances the interest of the nation.
That is what the President has promised to do and has delivered to the American people.
Under President Trump’s leadership, this administration has made great progress in the last few months toward establishing a lawful and constitutional immigration system. This makes us safer and more secure.
It will further economically the lives of millions who are struggling. And it will enable our country to more effectively teach new immigrants about our system of government and assimilate them to the cultural understandings that support it.
The substantial progress in reducing illegal immigration at our border seen in recent months is almost entirely the product of the leadership of President Trump and his inspired federal immigration officers. But the problem is not solved. And without more action, we could see illegality rise again rather than be eliminated.
As a candidate, and now in office, President Trump has offered specific ideas and legislative solutions that will protect American workers, increase wages and salaries, defend our national security, ensure the public safety, and increase the general well-being of the American people.
He has worked closely with many members of Congress, including in the introduction of the RAISE Act, which would produce enormous benefits for our country. This is how our democratic process works.
There are many powerful interest groups in this country and every one of them has a constitutional right to advocate their views and represent whomever they choose.
But the Department of Justice does not represent any narrow interest or any subset of the American people. We represent all of the American people and protect the integrity of our Constitution. That is our charge.
We at Department of Justice are proud and honored to work to advance this vision for America and to do our best each day to ensure the safety and security of the American people.
GEARY COUNTY — A Kansas man is being held on a $100,000 bond after a weekend shooting.
Just before 10:30 p.m. Friday, police responded a home in the 500 Block of West 3rd in Junction City after a report of a man who had shot a weapon in the home, according to a media release.
The man, 21-year-old Michael Smelley, Jr., Junction City, shot the firearm from the house and hit a home across the street, according to police.
After a family member was able to disarm the man as officers made their way up to the residence the man was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
Police reported no injuries.
In addition to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, police said Shannon Michael Smelley Jr., 21, of Junction City, was arrested in connection with domestic damage to property, domestic aggravated assault, criminal threat, battery on a law enforcement officer, shooting at an occupied dwelling, and felony interference of a law enforcement officer.
photo courtesy Kansas Division of Emergency Management
HOUSTON —Search and rescue teams that deployed to Texas on Wednesday, Aug. 30, were demobilized Sunday and are returning to Kansas. The teams were deployed to assist local authorities with search and rescue operations in support of Hurricane Harvey.
The deployments were coordinated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, which is the administrative agency for the Kansas Search and Rescue Response System and is responsible for directing the regional teams and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a multistate agreement that facilitates emergency assistance between states during major disasters.
Personnel who deployed include:
Northeast Region Kansas Task Force 2 — Manhattan Fire Department (four); Mission Township Fire Department (five)
Kansas City Metro Region Kansas Task Force 3 – Shawnee Fire Department (five)
Southeast Region Kansas Task Force 4 — Chanute Fire Department (two)
South Central Region Kansas Task Force 5 — Sedgwick County Fire Department (four); Derby Fire Department (four); Winfield Fire Department (three)
North Central Region Kansas Task Force 8 — Salina Fire Department (five); Saline County Sheriff’s Office (two)
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism – 14
Office of the State Fire Marshal – one
Hutchinson Fire Department – one
South Hutchinson Police – one
Neodesha Fire Department – one
Parsons Fire Department – one
Pittsburg Fire Department – one
In addition, the 184th Air Wing in Wichita has activated 10 Airmen to provide visual information via satellites for leaders on the ground to get a bigger picture of the situation.
SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 7p.m. Monday in Shawnee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle driven by Loretta D. Weeks, 51, Tecumseh was eastbound on U.S. 24 at Goodyear Road. The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and overturned.
Weeks was transported to the hospital in Topeka. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.
