Newton Woman Killed in Wichita Crash
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Newton woman has died following an early-morning crash in Wichita. Television station KSNW reports that the crash happened on the northbound exit ramp of I-235 to Central Saturday morning. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a 47-year-old Wichita man was exiting I-235 to Central when his vehicle left the roadway and entered the east ditch. The vehicle then hit a concrete drain. The driver was injured and taken to a nearby hospital. A passenger in the vehicle, 24-year-old Kelsey Hanna, died from her injuries.
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Fort Hays State University Police Warn of Phone Scam
HAYS, Kan. (AP) — It might go without saying that a caller claiming to be with police who demands nude videos is a scammer. But Fort Hays State University police are warning the public anyway. The Wichita Eagle reports that a statement from the Kansas school's campus police department says the calls to students appear to come from its phone number. The caller then tells the recipient that they are connected to a drug investigation before eventually demanding nude videos as proof that the call recipient doesn't have drugs on them or in their room. Police say the caller becomes belligerent if the recipient asks questions and threatens arrest if the recipient tells anyone of the call. Victims of the scam are asked to call university police.
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Washburn Tech Gives Away Its 25th Recycled Ride
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas mother is the latest recipient of Washburn Tech Institute's Recycled Rides program. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kayla Hupp is receiving the program's 25th vehicle since 2011. Hupp says she's been driving a car with an engine that would stop running at inconvenient and dangerous times. Recycled Rides partners auto service students with professional mentors in the community to refurbish cars. The cars are then awarded to people in need. Washburn has given away more cars than all other participating schools combined.
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KC Payday Loan Alternative Gets $1 Million Grant
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A startup that launched in Kansas City as an alternative to the payday lending industry has been awarded a $1 million grant to expand its services. The Kansas City Star reports that The Rockefeller Foundation and Chan Zuckerberg Initiative recently announced that Onward Financial Inc. is one of 10 companies to be awarded a grant from the Communities Thrive Challenge. Onward Financial operates a program through an app that employers can use to encourage workers to start a savings plan, learn about personal finance and borrow for emergencies at low interest rates. Founder Ronnie Washington is based in Washington, D.C. He decided to launch the project in Kansas City because of the payday loan industry's presence in the area and the illegal schemes found in the industry.
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Ex-teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Student Sex Charges
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A former Olathe teacher and Shawnee City Council member will go to trial after pleading not guilty to having a sexual encounter with a student. 33-year-old Justin Adrian waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday in Johnson County District Court. The Kansas City Star reports the alleged sexual encounter occurred in a classroom at Olathe East High School, where Adrian was a history teacher. The student was 18 years old, but Kansas law makes it illegal for a teacher to have sexual contact with a student at the same school. Adrian was a member of the Shawnee City Council but resigned when the allegations surfaced. He is free on bond while the case is pending. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 23rd.
