Heat Stress Blamed for 2000 Cattle Deaths in Kansas
BELLE PLAINE, Kan. (AP) — Industry officials say thousands of cattle in feedlots in southwestern Kansas have died of heat stress due to soaring temperatures, high humidity and little wind in recent days. The final toll remains unclear, but as of Thursday at least 2,000 heat-related deaths had been reported to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the state agency that assists in disposing of carcasses. That number could rise as more losses from this week's heat wave are reported. The cattle deaths have sparked unsubstantiated rumors on social media that something besides the weather was at play, but Kansas agriculture officials have said no other cause is evident.
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Train Derails North of Lawrence
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KPR) - A train derailment dumped large amounts of coal and damaged tracks north of Lawrence Friday. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that emergency crews were called to the derailment where about 20 train cars detached from the engine, causing significant damage to the rails and the railroad crossing near the intersection of U.S. Highway 24-59 and North 1900 Road. The cause of the derailment is under investigation by Union Pacific. No injuries or fire were reported in connection with the derailment.
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Cowley County Deputies Cleared in Winfield Fatal Shooting
WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — The Cowley County Attorney says three sheriff's deputies who fatally shot a woman near Winfield in April were justified in their actions. KAKE-TV reports County Attorney Larry Schwartz says in a report that the shooting of Andrea Barrow was “lawful and justified." Schwartz's report says the deputies were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle when they encountered Barrow, of Arkansas City, who was acting erratically. He says the woman refused repeated orders to get out of her vehicle and eventually pulled a handgun and fired at the deputies. All three deputies were injured. Two deputies returned fire, killing Barrow.
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Western Kansas Mom, Daughter Found Dead
SPEARVILLE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a western Kansas mother and her 4-year-old daughter have been found dead, and the woman's boyfriend is in custody. The man reported 31-year-old Kayla Vasquez and 4-year-old Aalilyah Vasquez, of Spearville, missing on Wednesday. The KBI says Ford County Sheriff's deputies and Spearville police saw evidence that a crime had been committed and detained the man for questioning. Kayla Vasquez's body was found early Thursday in rural Ford County. About 90 minutes later, her daughter's body was found in Kinsley, about 20 miles northeast of Spearville in Edwards County. Autopsies are scheduled. The boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of capital murder.
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Former NASCAR Driver Bowyer Involved in Crash That Killed a Pedestrian
LAKE OZARK, Mo. (AP) — Former NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer was involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian in southwest Missouri earlier this month. Police say Bowyer's vehicle struck a woman walking on an exit ramp on June 5 near Osage Beach. Bowyer stopped immediately and called 911. Police say 47-year-old Mary Jane Simmons of Camdenton, Missouri died at the scene. The crash report says Bowyer, a native of Emporia, Kansas, provided a roadside blood sample that recorded no alcohol. Bowyer, a Fox Sports racing analyst, retired from NASCAR in 2020 after winning 10 Cup Series races in 15 years.
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Teen Sentenced to Life in Prison in Death of 12-Year-Old Boy
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas teenager has been sentenced to life in prison in the shooting death of a 12-year-old boy during a botched gun deal. WDAF-TV reports that a jury convicted 18-year-old Jaylen LaRon Johnson of Kansas City, Kansas, of first-degree murder last month. Sentencing was Friday. Prosecutors say Johnson and two other men drove to Leavenworth to purchase a gun on April 14, 2021. The sellers allegedly sold a BB gun to one of Johnson’s friends. Authorities say Johnson began shooting when he realized it wasn’t the gun they wanted. Eleven bullets struck the seller’s car. Twelve-year-old Brian Henderson Jr. was in the backseat and died in the shooting.
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Missouri Man Sentenced for Wichita Manslaughter
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Missouri man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for the shooting death of his friend in Wichita three years ago. Television station KSN reports that 25-year-old Brandon Craig, of Independence, Missouri, was sentenced Wednesday in Sedgwick County District Court to 74 months in prison. Craig pleaded guilty in April to voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery in the shooting death of 21-year-old Justin Lane, of Grain Valley, Missouri. Police called to a Wichita home the night of April 12, 2019, found Lane dead with a single gunshot wound to the head. Investigators said Lane and Craig were visiting another friend at the home when they began fighting, and Craig shot Lane. Craig said the shooting was accidental.