Kansas Sees Worst 2-Week COVID-19 Spike
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas has reported another big increase in new coronavirus cases that capped its worst two-week spike since the pandemic began. The state health department released its latest figures yesterday (FRI) as a statewide mask mandate from the governor took effect. The Department of Health and Environment reported that Kansas has had 15,919 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, up 929, or 6.2% since only Wednesday. Kansas also has reported 277 COVID-19-related deaths, up five in two days. Kansas reported an average of 276 new coronavirus cases a day over the past two weeks — the largest 14-day average since the state confirmed its first case March 7th.
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Man Arrested for Double Homicide at Wichita Hotel
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have arrested a 33-year-old man in connection with the fatal shootings in January of another man and a woman in a hotel. The police department said the suspect returned Thursday to Wichita to be booked into the Sedgwick County jail after being arrested outside the United States. Police said he was arrested on potential charges of capital murder, illegal firearm possession, aggravated burglary and aggravated assault. His case is now in the hands of the Sedgwick County district attorney. The suspect was arrested in connection with the deaths of 27-year-old George Kirksey and 22-year-old Alicia Roman. Both were from Wichita, as is the suspect.
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Man Shot by Deputies at Neosho Falls Campground
NEOSHO FALLS, Kan. (AP) — Two sheriff’s deputies have shot an armed 41-year-old man at a campground in a tiny southeast Kansas town following an altercation. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said the shooting Thursday afternoon in Neosho Falls occurred as two Woodson County deputies were questioning the man about a vehicle that had been reported stolen. The KBI is investigating the shooting. Both deputies shot the man and he was taken to an area hospital. The KBI said the man was later flown to the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, underwent surgery for his injuries and is in stable condition. Neither deputy was hurt.
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Nigerian Man Charged with Cyber Fraud against Companies in Kansas, Other States
CHICAGO (AP) — A Nigerian national has appeared in court in Chicago on charges that he orchestrated an international cyber fraud scheme that defrauded U.S. businesses in six states out of tens of millions of dollars. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago said Friday that 29-year-old Olalekan Jacob Ponle, originally of Lagos, Nigeria, was arrested last month in the United Arab Emirates, where he was living. He was expelled from the country and into FBI custody, and arrived in Chicago Thursday. He's charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud against companies based in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New York and California.
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Missing Woman's Body Found in Junction City Storage Unit
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police in Junction City say the body of a woman reported missing last month has been found in a local storage unit. Police said late Thursday in a news release that investigators had positively identified the body as that of 52-year-old Tina Bennett of Junction City. Police say Bennett was reported missing on June 20th. Her remains were found June 26th in the otherwise empty storage unit, but officials did not identify the body until after an autopsy and fingerprint verification. Police have not said how Bennett died, but said foul play is suspected. No arrests had been reported in the case by Friday morning.
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K-State Players End Boycott Threat
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State football players have called off a threatened boycott in response to an insensitive tweet by a student about the death of George Floyd. The decision was announced on social media by several players. It follows moves by the school to address diversity concerns. The players say they they will track the school's efforts and re-evaluate their options if needed.
