SHAWNEE COUNTY — There were no serious injuries after a chemical odor at a Kansas manufacturing plant.
Mars manufacturing plant -bing image
Just before 1:30 Thursday, the Topeka Fire Department was called to the Mars Manufacturing Plant, 100 SW MARS Boulevard regarding a chemical odor.
Upon investigation, it was determined that a cleaning solution was not being used properly. Several individuals were assessed on the scene for possible respiratory irritation, but no one was transported to receive medical attention.
Three Engine Companies and two truck companies responded to the incident.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just after 1 p.m. Thursday, officers were called to City Hall in Hutchinson on the report of an armed subject.
Upon arrival, officers saw a man with what appeared to be an assault rifle. Sixty-year-old Johnny Klassen was taken into custody. Officials discovered the weapon was actually a pellet gun. Klassen apparently wanted to talk with a department head because he was upset about a bill.
Klassen was also in possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. In addition, he was arrested for disorderly conduct.
No one at City Hall was injured, but it caused quite a commotion.
WICHITA, KAN. – An Kansas EMT is charged with stealing morphine from vials, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Jackson County EMS google image
Colby W. Vanwagoner, 32, Mayetta, Kan., is charged with two counts of tampering with consumer products and one count of making a false statement to federal investigators. A grand jury indictment returned April 26 and unsealed May 2 alleges the crimes took place while Vanwagoner was working for the Jackson County Emergency Medical Service in Holton, Kan.
The indictment alleges Vanwagoner tampered with vials of morphine sulfate. It is alleged he replaced morphine with saline solution and put the vials back into narcotic boxes on ambulances or in office stocks. Tests showed the concentration of morphine in vials that had been tampered with was low as 1 percent or less.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the on the tampering charges and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of lying to investigators. The Food and Drug Administration – Office of Criminal Investigations investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.
RENO COUNTY — A Kansas woman convicted of aggravated indecent liberties with a child in Saline County in 2006 is in trouble for failing to register as a sex offender on four different occasions in Reno County.
Kristen L. Bauman, 36, Hutchinson, is also charged with a fifth count of unlawful acts — using a computer system, namely, Care.com — to execute a scheme with the intent to defraud or obtain money by asking for employment as a babysitter by fraudulent means. That could be concerning, considering her criminal past.
These crimes occurred in December of 2017.
Bauman is free on bond as her case moves to a waiver-status docket.
WASHINGTON – The United States Olympic Committee has announced the 2018 winners for the Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Games, recognizing Team USA’s outstanding performances and awe-inspiring achievements from the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 in the following eight categories:
Female Olympic Athlete of the Games, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods – Chloe Kim, snowboarding
Male Olympic Athlete of the Games – Shaun White, snowboarding
Olympic Team of the Games, presented by Dow – U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team
Olympic Coach of the Games – Jason Cork, cross-country skiing
Female Paralympic Athlete of the Games – Oksana Masters, Nordic skiing
Male Paralympic Athlete of the Games – Dan Cnossen, Nordic skiing
Paralympic Team of the Games, presented by Dow – U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team
Paralympic Coach of the Games – Gary Colliander, Nordic skiing
The awards were presented during a live recording of the Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Games ceremony, held Thursday at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. The awards show – which featured NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico as host – will be televised as a 90-minute feature for the first time ever, and will run from 6-7:30 p.m. ET May 12 on NBCSN.
The six athlete and team award winners were determined by online fan voting at TeamUSA.org/Awards, where nearly 600,000 fan votes determined 50 percent of the final tally. Members of the Olympic and Paralympic family – including an esteemed panel of Olympic and Paralympic journalists – accounted for the other 50 percent. For coaching awards, National Governing Bodies selected their nominees and the winners were determined via selection committee.
Female Olympic Athlete of the Games, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods Chloe Kim (Torrance, California), snowboarding In her first Olympic Games, Kim nailed a 98.25-point victory lap run in halfpipe after posting a 93.75 on her first run to secure the gold medal. She is the youngest woman from any nation to win a gold medal in snowboarding.
Male Olympic Athlete of the Games Shaun White (Carlsbad, California), snowboarding With an impressive 97.75-point final run to claim gold, White became the first snowboarder to ever win three Olympic gold medals and is the first American man to win gold medals at three Olympic Winter Games. He now owns the second most gold medals among U.S. men in Olympic Winter Games history.
Male Paralympic Athlete of the Games Dan Cnossen (Topeka, Kansas),Nordic skiing In his second Paralympic Games, Cnossen medaled in each of the six cross-country and biathlon events he entered, winning one gold, four silvers and one bronze. He also made history as the first American man to win biathlon gold at the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games.
Olympic Team of the Games, presented by Dow U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team For the first time since 1998, Team USA defeated rival Canada for the Olympic gold medal in women’s ice hockey. The U.S. women bested the four-time Olympic champions, 3-2, in a shootout after tying the game with 6:21 remaining in regulation.
Female Paralympic Athlete of the Games Oksana Masters (Louisville, Kentucky), Nordic skiing After fracturing her right elbow three weeks prior to the Paralympic Winter Games, Masters overcame unsurmountable odds to win five medals (two golds, two silvers and one bronze) in biathlon and cross-country competition. She left PyeongChang as the most decorated athlete on the team and in the history of the Para Nordic skiing program.
Paralympic Team of the Games, presented by Dow U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team Powered by the late shooting heroics of Declan Farmer, Team USA claimed an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal at the Paralympic Winter Games with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.
Olympic Coach of the Games Jason Cork, cross-country skiing As a coach for the U.S. National Cross-Country Ski Team and the personal coach of two-time Olympian Jessie Diggins, Cork was instrumental in leading Team USA to its first-ever Olympic medal in women’s cross-country skiing and the first U.S. gold medal in the sport. In addition to the historic gold medal in team sprint, Cork also guided Diggins to three individual top-five finishes – the best-ever for an American woman in Olympic cross-country skiing (prior to the gold medal).
Paralympic Coach of the Games Gary Colliander, Nordic skiing With Colliander’s biathlon expertise, the U.S. Paralympic Nordic Skiing Team concluded the PyeongChang Games in record-setting fashion with seven biathlon medals. Prior to the PyeongChang Games, the U.S. had only garnered one biathlon medal in Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games history. He also coached the team to nine medals in cross-country races, bringing its event total to 16 medals – including six golds.
Building Dreams Award, presented by USG Tom Kelly, vice president of communications at U.S. Ski & Snowboard In a career that has spanned 32 years and nine Olympic Winter Games, Kelly has dedicated his life’s work to telling the incredible stories of Team USA athletes and highlighting the historic milestones that have made U.S. Ski & Snowboard a perennial power on the world’s biggest stage. In a pioneering move that reimagined media coverage at the Olympic Games, Kelly was the mastermind behind the USOC’s Managing Victory tour, which is designed to help Olympic medalists capitalize on their success and promote their sport in the immediate aftermath of their podium performance. Now a cornerstone of both summer and winter versions of the Games, Team USA celebrated the sixth installment of the program at the PyeongChang Olympics, which also marked the final Games for Kelly in his current role with U.S. Ski & Snowboard.
Jesse Owens Olympic Spirit Award Kristi Yamaguchi, 1992 Olympic gold medalist (figure skating) Yamaguchi embodies the word champion, both in her athletic achievements and dedication to giving back to the community. Since being crowned the women’s figure skating Olympic champion in 1992, she has continued to define excellence and inspire others through many philanthropic efforts. Yamaguchi’s personal motto inspired her to establish the Always Dream Foundation, which aims to support disadvantaged children in her native Bay Area. Later, she launched the Always Reading program, which focuses on the development of early childhood literacy skills by integrating e-tablets, digital and traditional books in the classroom. Yamaguchi also established the Always Dream Play Park, offering play equipment designed for children with disabilities, and the Always Striving scholarship, awarded annually to an individual or pairs figure skating team that reflects the dedication, potential and character of an Olympic hopeful.
About the Team USA Awards presented by Dow, Best of the Games
Formerly known as the USOC SportsMan, SportsWoman and Team of the Year awards, the Team USA Awards began in 1974. The impressive and diverse collection of past winners represent nearly 30 sports on the summer and winter Olympic and Paralympic programs. Their collective accomplishments tell the inspiring story of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movements throughout history. Beginning in 2014, the Team USA Awards began recognizing the incredible performances of Team USA athletes and teams during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information on the Team USA Awards, visit TeamUSA.org.
DICKINSON COUNTY — A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. on Thursday in Dickinson County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2012 Jeep Patriot driven by Sandra J. Prosch, 47, Chapman, was southbound on Rain Road six miles north of Chapman.
The driver failed to yield at K-18 and pulled out in front of an eastbound 2012 Chevy Equinox driven by Julie G. Vines, 50, Concordia, on the passenger side.
Vines was transported to Geary Community Hospital. A private vehicle transported to Prosch and a passenger in the Jeep Hayley P. Cherry, 17, Chapman, for treatment.
All three were properly restrained a the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
VINITA, Okla. (AP) — Authorities in Oklahoma say a 66-year-old man has been charged with the 1999 deaths of a couple and the abduction of two then-teenage girls who remain missing.
Basick -photo Harvey County
District Attorney Matt Ballard said Monday that Ronnie Dean Busick is charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of kidnapping and one count of first-degree arson.
Authorities say Danny and Kathy Freeman of Craig County were shot to death in their mobile home on Dec. 30, 1999. The home was set on fire to cover up the slayings.
Officials say 16-year-old friends Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman disappeared the same day and were never found. Lauria had spent the night at the Freemans’ home.
Ballard says Busick is accused of working with two other men who have since died.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State University has received a $500,000 donation toward the renovation of the first floor of the campus’ main library.
The donation comes from the children of Joyce and H.D. “Joe” Hale, who were the main donors for a massive 1990s library renovation and addition. A cafe in the new space will honor the children, John Hale, Dana Nelson, Karen Young, Alan Hale, Lisa Hale and Mollie Carter.
The library’s renovation will create a more accessible entrance to the first floor. Besides the cafe, it will include group study spaces, instruction rooms, exhibit space for special collections and flexible event space.
The project will cost an estimated $6.5 million. Kansas State graduates Dave and Ellie Everitt, of Marco Island, Florida, are contributing $3 million.
SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating vandalism to a police vehicle.
The unoccupied Wichita Police truck was hit with multiple gunshots in the passenger door, according to Deputy Chief Troy Livingston. The truck was parked at an officer’s residence during the weekend. Police are not releasing the location of the residence. The officer observed the damage early Monday, according to Livingston.
An investigation revealed a report of gunshots at approximately 12:45a.m on Monday. There were no injuries and no suspects identified, according to Livingston.
The vandalism comes just days after someone fired shots an off-duty officer’s vehicle working security in the 1100 Block of East 13th Street North in Wichita.
Suspect shot at off duty officer last week -image courtesy Wichita Police
“We don’t know if the incidents are related,” said Livingston. “I will tell you it is concerning to the officers and we are telling them to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Wichita Police.
LONDON (AP) — For Kate, the wait is over. The Duchess of Cambridge gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy — a third child for Kate and Prince William and fifth in line to the British throne.
The couple’s Kensington Palace office announced news of the birth about five hours after the 36-year-old duchess and her husband traveled by car from their Kensington Palace home to the private Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital in central London.
The palace said the baby prince was born at 11:01 a.m. (1001 GMT; 6:01 a.m. EDT) and weighed in at eight pounds, seven ounces (3.8 kilograms). Prince William was in attendance, and the palace said mother and child were both doing well.
“The queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news,” the palace said in a statement.
In a mix of tradition and modernity, the news was announced by the palace on Twitter — and will also be posted on an easel in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.
The baby is a younger brother to 4-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 next week. Both were born at the same hospital, as were William and his younger brother Prince Harry.
The baby’s name, which has been subject to a flurry of bets, hasn’t been announced. Arthur and James are among bookmakers’ favorites for the new prince, whose full title will be His Royal Highness, Prince (Name) of Cambridge.
Monday is St. George’s Day, England’s national day, but the baby is unlikely to be given the name since his older brother already has it.
The new arrival is Queen Elizabeth II’s sixth great-grandchild and bumps Prince Harry to sixth place in the line of succession. He’s fifth in line, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and the two older siblings.
The 36-year-old duchess, formerly Kate Middleton, carried out her last official engagement on March 22 before going on maternity leave.
As in her previous pregnancies, Kate suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness. Officials announced both her previous pregnancies before the traditional 12-week mark because she was too unwell to attend public engagements.
The birth was overseen by a team of doctors including consultant obstetrician Guy Thorpe-Beeston and consultant gynecologist Alan Farthing — who were also called in for the births of George and Charlotte — as well as the hospital’s midwives.
Television crews, journalists and royal fans had set up camp outside the hospital for the “royal baby watch” since early April in anticipation of the arrival.
John Loughrey, a veteran royal-watcher who has been camped outside the hospital for two weeks, said the baby would be “very good for our country and of course Her Majesty the queen.”
“I’m so pleased it’s St. George’s Day,” he said before the birth was announced. “St. George himself would be very pleased if the baby’s born today.”
