SUMNER COUNTY — A fourth earthquake over four days shook Kansas Monday. The quake just after 2:30 p.m. measured a magnitude 2.8 and was centered approximately 16 miles southeast of Conway Springs, according to the U. S. Geological Survey.
A pair of quakes shook Kansas Sunday. At 1a.m., a 2.4 quake was centered three miles southwest of Bluff City in Harper County. At 6:07 p.m. magnitude 2.5 quake was centered seven miles south of Conway Springs.
Just before 8pm. Saturday a quake that measured a magnitude 2.2 was centered seven miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A series of earthquakes shook the same area August 5 and 6. They measured from 2.8 to 3.4, according to the USGS.
There are no reports of damage or injuries from Monday’s quake.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas woman who ran from law enforcement late Friday made a first court appearance Monday where she was read the potential charges.
Kristine Lynn Brown, 46, Langdon, faces potential charges of felony flee and elude, DUI, her fourth, and driving while suspended.
Just before 11:30 p.m. Friday a Reno County Sheriff’s Deputy observed a truck traveling east on 4th near Lorraine in Hutchinson with a defective tag light. The deputy followed the truck to 3rd and Kansas 61 Highway and continued to follow.
The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop in the area of Avenue G and K-61. He activated his lights and siren and the vehicle stopped. As the deputy approached the truck, the driver took off and the deputy followed, noting that the driver was being reckless and eventually got onto U.S 50, often going left of center or weaving over the fog line.
At one point, the driver came within a foot of hitting a guardrail on Highway 50, according to the deputy.
A South Hutchinson Police Officer used stop sticks on the highway and all four tires were struck, but the truck continued for about another half mile before the driver stopped.
Her passenger was taken into custody, but Brown refused to exit the vehicle. She was assisted out of the vehicle against her will and taken into custody.
Her bond was set at $3,250 and she is expected back in court next week for the formal reading of any charges.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for allegedly threating his neighbor with a brick.
Just before 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Christopher Garrison, 26, Salina, pounded on his neighbor’s door, according to Salina Police Capt. Paul Forrester. Before his 51-year-old neighbor could answer, Garrison allegedly ran through a side fence.
The neighbor noticed that the gate had been left open and went to investigate. Capt. Forrester said that the neighbor walked through the gate to find Garrison wielding a brick. He allegedly threatened to hurt the neighbor.
Police arrested Garrison on requested charges of aggravated assault and one count of trespassing.
Police at the scene of Saturday morning investigation-photo courtesy WIBW-TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a weekend homicide and asking for help to with information in the case.
Just after 8 a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 15th and Topeka Blvd. in Topeka after report of an unresponsive man later identified as 44-year-old Kenneth Leray Vetaw, according to a media release. Police ruled his death was a homicide.
Prior to his death, investigators believe Vetaw was with a group of people in the1400 Block of SW Harrison when he was shot.
Vetaw left that area on foot and died where first responders found him. Detectives are asking anyone with information on the identity of those with Vetaw when he was shot to call police.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A father says the Kansas legal system failed his loved ones because it kept a man’s sex offender status below the radar long enough to kill his daughter and granddaughter.
Keith Hawkins, 19, was charged Aug. 8 with capital murder, just hours after 24-year-old Alyssa Runyon and her 4-year-old daughter Zaylynn Paz were found dead in their Newton home.
Alyssa Runyon & Zaylynn Courtesy image
Harvey County attorney David Yoder says Hawkins previously was supposed to be arrested for failing to register as a sex offender but that a warrant wasn’t filed in time due to a backlog of cases.
Runyon’s father, Edward Runyon, says the system failed the victims because it kept Hawkins’ status from public disclosure and didn’t hold him fully accountable for failing to register his address.
Ten minutes later drivers turn on their headlights during the eclipseVehicle traveling in the path of totality on Interstate 435 Monday north of Kansas- Image KC Scout
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on the eclipse in Kansas (all times local):
3:00 p.m.
Clouds parted just in time in downtown Topeka for many people to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse as it reached its peak of 99 percent.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that about 200 people at a watch part on the parking lot of the library got a look for about 30 seconds through a thin sheen of clouds. People cheered as a small portion of the sun could be seen when the clouds separated.
Light rain pelted employees on the rooftop of the Westar Energy in downtown Topeka as they waited for the eclipse’s peak. Employees were able to spot the sun for a fleeting few seconds.
The skies were clearer in the Wichita area where people could see a little more than 92 percent of the eclipse.
2p.m.
The first total solar eclipse to sweep the U.S. coast to coast in nearly a century has come to an end in South Carolina.
Americans across the land watched in wonder Monday as the moon blocked the sun, turning daylight into twilight.
Totality — when the sun is completely obscured by the moon — lasted just two minutes or so in each location along the narrow corridor stretching all the way across the U.S., from Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. It took about 90 minutes for total blockage to cross the country.
Two-hundred million people live within a day’s drive of Monday’s path of totality. So towns and parks along the eclipse’s main drag have welcomed monumental crowds. The last coast-to-coast eclipse was in 1918.
1:50 p.m.
Northwest U.S. cities not quite in the path of totality enjoyed Monday’s solar eclipse.
Boise is not in totality. But birds quieted down briefly when 99.5 percent of sun was blocked. And some neighborhoods erupted into applause and hooting as residents cheered the show from their yards.
Total eclipse as seen from Marysville, Kansas-Photo by Rocky Robinson
In Portland, hundreds gathered at Tom McCall Waterfront Park to see the rare celestial event. Some office workers stood on rooftops, and small crowds gathered on the sidewalks, looking skyward. Some expressed surprise that even a sliver of sun can prevent a city from falling into darkness.
Within minutes, traffic resumed on what had been eerily quiet downtown streets.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking for help to identify a suspect.
Just after 9p.m. officers were dispatched to a strong-arm robbery at a convenience store in the 2300 Block of South Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Charley Davidson. A 23-year-old employee told police an unknown suspect entered the business and ordered an item.
As the cash register was opened, the suspect jumped the counter and began taking money. The employee drew a handgun and fired it at the suspect who fled on foot. Police did not have contact with the suspect and had no information on possible injuries.
The suspect is described as an older black male in his 40s, gray hair, 6-foot tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He wore a blue button down shirt and shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call Police.
TOPEKA— Fire officials are working to determine the cause of a weekend house fire.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, three engine companies of the Topeka Fire Department responded to the blaze at 1241 SW High Avenue, according to a media release.
Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the two-story wooden frame home. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack keeping it confined to the home. A search of the structure revealed no occupants. They did rescue one dog from the structure.
Estimated dollar loss – $20,000.00, including $15,000.00 structural loss and $5,000.00 contents loss.
Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross also responded to the scene.
COLBY —The Thomas County Attorney’s Office concluded a two-day jury trial Friday, according to a press release.
The defendant Francisco DeLira, 24, of Stockbride, GA., was charged with possession of more than 100 grams of methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, which is a level 1 drug felony.
Thomas County Attorney Rachel Lamm and special assistant prosecutor Heather Alwin represented the state. Cheryl Stewart, Oakley, was defense counsel.
The crime took place Aug. 24, 2016, on eastbound Interstate 70 between exits 53 and 54 near Colby. Colby Police Officer Cole Andreasen stopped the Defendant’s vehicle for failure to use a turn signal when getting onto the highway and conducted an investigation that resulted in the discovery of 5 bags of methamphetamine totaling over 4,900 grams, or 10.9 pounds.
“I am proud of the hard work of the Colby Police Department.” Lamm said. “I would like to extend my gratitude to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol for their assistance in obtaining a conviction.”
Sentencing is set for Oct. 3. According to the Standard Kansas Sentencing Guidelines, a level 1 drug felony is punishable by a term of 138 to 204 months in prison at the Kansas Department of Corrections.
Kansas is counting down the minutes to the country’s first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse since 1918. The Most of Kansas will see only a partial eclipse on Monday. Social media is exploding with advice, instructions and fun.
More than 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon in Wichita and most of southeastern, central and northwestern Kansas. The peak of the eclipse will occur shortly after 1 p.m.
