Winter Storm Blamed for Two Kansas Fatalities
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities in Kansas have reported at least two killed in weather-related crashes as a winter storm swept the Midwest this weekend. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 62-year-old Bradley Horton of Topeka died after his pickup truck skidded Friday on the snow-slicked Kansas Turnpike and hit a concrete barrier. Investigators say Horton was not wearing a seat belt. The patrol says another crash Friday night involving two semitrailers in snowy conditions in central Kansas killed a 41-year-old driver from Mexico. That man's name has not been released.
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KC Chiefs Beat Colts, Advance to First AFC Title Game in 25 Years
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs romped to a 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, winning their first home play-off game since January 1994. At one point during yesterday's snowy game, Chiefs coach Andy Reid was summoned to a corner of Arrowhead Stadium to get fans to stop throwing snowballs on the field. The Chiefs now turn their attention toward their first AFC title game in 25 years. They will face the winner of Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots next weekend at Arrowhead Stadium. It will be the first AFC title game Kansas City has ever hosted.
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Governor Commutes Sentence, Issues Two Pardons
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Outgoing Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has granted two pardons and commuted the sentence of an Emporia war veteran. WIBW reports Colyer on Friday reduced the sentence of Regina Carter to about 3½ years. She was sentenced in 2016 to eight years in prison for drug possession with intent to deliver. Colyer noted Carter's original sentence was longer than many others given to first-time offenders. He also noted Carter suffered PTSD after serving in Iraq and received an honorable discharge from the Army. Colyer also granted pardons to Chris Rickerson and Wandalen Thomas for felony drug possession convictions. Rickerson now runs Elite Staffing Solutions in Wichita. Thomas, who lives in Fountain, Colorado, runs a barbershop for military members and their families. The governor denied pardon requests of 21 other applicants. Wichita schools look to expand breakfast options
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Wichita Schools Battle Hunger
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita school officials are looking for ways to ensure students don't start the school day hungry, which advocates say can lead to learning and behavioral issues. The Wichita Eagle reports that 10 Wichita middle and high schools offer extended serving times in cafeterias, grab-and-go breakfasts and breakfast after homeroom or first period. David Paul is the director of nutrition services for the Wichita school district. He says the district is serving about 1,000 additional breakfasts a day at the schools, which is a 45 percent increase. Kansas Appleseed is an anti-poverty nonprofit. The group's May 2018 report says hungry students have difficulties learning, decreased attendance and more behavior issues. The district plans to collect data from participating schools to see if there's an improvement in test scores, absences and behavior.
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DA: No Charges Against Kansas Trooper for Shooting Driver
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A district attorney says a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper was justified in fatally shooting a man whose vehicle was dragging the trooper and a Topeka police officer through the snow. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay says the trooper won't be charged in the death of 35-year-old Jarmane Logan in November. The trooper and police officer were trying to take Chelsee Retana into custody when she and another woman got into Logan's vehicle in Topeka. Investigators say Logan was driving away with the women while dragging the officer and trooper. Investigators say the trooper shot Logan when he refused to stop the vehicle. Retana is charged with interference with law enforcement and possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanors. The other woman hasn't been charged.
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Wichita's Winefest Loses Partner After Excluding LGBTQ Bars
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita's annual Midwest Winefest fundraiser will have to find a new wine distributor after its partner pulled out of the event because organizers decided not to invite back certain bars and restaurants with LGBTQ clientele. Standard Beverage's chief financial officer, Angie Wilhelm, tells The Wichita Eagle that the Wichita liquor distributor will not work with the festival this year. The liquor company took issue with a recent decision by the event's organizer and beneficiary, Guadalupe Clinic, to not invite businesses it deemed "morally and ethically" at odds with Catholic values. The clinic provides medical services to uninsured community members and is part of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita. The clinic's executive director David Gear says LGBTQ bars and restaurants weren't the only businesses that weren't back this year.
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Wichita Police Release Details of Shooting
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police say two officers shot a 29-year-old man after he tried to hit one of the officers with a stolen car. Police spokesman Charley Davidson said in a news release that the two Wichita officers and another person were trying to arrest the suspect Thursday.Davidson says when two Wichita officers drew their handguns, the suspect put the car in reverse, hit a corrections department vehicle and then drove forward, nearly hitting one of the officers. The two officers fired at the suspect, hitting him several times. He is being treated for critical injuries. One officer suffered minor injuries. The suspect was wanted for three counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He also had traffic warrants.
