Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will host five public meetings this fall, including one in Hays, to share information on proposed state park fee changes and hear directly from Kansans. These town hall-style meetings will provide the public with an opportunity to learn about the proposed changes, ask questions, and provide feedback. 

Fees remain unchanged at this time; any adjustments will require a vote of approval by the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission before they are implemented.

“Utility and operational costs for our state parks have risen nearly 45 percent since 2016,” said Conner O’Flannagan, KDWP state parks director. “These proposed changes are necessary to ensure our parks remain safe, well-maintained, and accessible to all Kansans, both now and for future generations.”

For more information about Kansas State Parks, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fksoutdoors.gov%2Fstate-parks%2F%3Futm_source=news%26utm_medium=press-release%26utm_campaign=parkfees/1/01010198f270293f-c57444c0-166b-4f7c-bfde-12f7d15364c3-000000/jkTBervdOorP-toJIunhAYfswgQTQqpa3Tu_zbzXzq0=420">ksoutdoors.gov/State-Parks</a>.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks to host Hays meeting on proposed state park fee changes

By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

The Hays Police Department is investigating a child sex crime from Friday and has made one arrest.

According to the Ellis County Jail bookings logs, Edgar Abraham Avalos-Aguilar was arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of a child.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said the case remains open and released no further details.

Hays Police investigating child sex crime; one arrest made

A Hays man was arrested Friday on two counts of alleged aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

According to public records, 19-year-old Aramist David McCottry had been out on a $15,000 bond for a previous case involving a minor before the bond was revoked on Aug. 29.

Public records state that on about May 18, McCottry allegedly used Snapchat to encourage a minor to assist in the distribution of marijuana.

He was arrested in May on requested charges of distribution of marijuana between 25 and 450 grams,&nbsp;contributing to a child’s misconduct by encouraging a child to commit a felony, and using a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation.

McCottry also faces three misdemeanor counts of&nbsp;contributing to a child’s misconduct by encouraging a child to remain or become a child in need of care.&nbsp;

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 15 regarding the charges from May.

Police released no other information on the indecent liberties allegations.&nbsp;

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said the indecent liberties case is still under investigation.

Hays man out on bond arrested for alleged child sex crime

A Hays man and a Victoria man were arrested after an alleged physical disturbance in the 500 block of West Seventh Street, which includes three bars across the street from the Fort Hays State University campus.

Hays Deputy Police Chief Tim Greenwood said at about 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, officers were on a routine patrol near bar closing time when they allegedly witnessed a verbal dispute escalate into a physical altercation.

Greenwood said 26-year-old Dakota Jayden Wise of Hays was arrested on a requested battery charge after allegedly shoving another person. As officers took Wise into custody, a crowd of 12 to 20 people gathered, Greenwood said.

Greenwood said additional officers were called in to help manage the crowd, which had created a tense situation.

Greenwood said 22-year-old Nathan Glenn Hrabe of Victoria allegedly refused to back away and physically resisted officers, leading to him being tased and arrested on a requested charge of interference with law enforcement.

"You have to give officers room to work," Greenwood said. "You can't get in there and interfere because it makes it dangerous for everyone involved."

Two men arrested in Hays bar district following alleged battery

Kansas Department of Transportation

NORTON — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to begin work on a guardrail improvement project along a portion of K-25 in Rawlins County on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Project work will involve grading and guardrail replacement at 18 sites on K-25 between the U.S. 36 junction in Atwood and Nebraska state line. Work will begin on structures located approximately 7.75 miles north of Atwood. 

Traffic will be reduced to one lane and directed by a temporary traffic signal for approximately three weeks. The signal operation will then move to a location one half mile south of the Nebraska state line for an additional two weeks.

Traffic through all other worksites will be reduced to one lane directed by flaggers as needed. Motorists should plan for delays of up to 15 minutes during daylight hours.

KDOT expects the project to be completed in November, conditions permitting.

L&amp;M Contractors, of Great Bend, is the primary contractor for the $1.2 million project. For more information, contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Todd Anderson at 785-953-6011 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:todd.anderson@ks.gov">todd.anderson@ks.gov</a>.

Guardrail improvement project starts today in Rawlins County

Kansas Department of Transportation

A project to resurface a portion of Highway U.S. 283 is underway in Norton County.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project involves a mill and overlay on 14 miles of the highway starting at the east K-9 junction and ending near Washington Street in Norton. 

During construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane through the areas where crews are actively working and directed by flaggers and a pilot car. Motorists should plan for delays of 15 minutes or less during daylight hours.

Project work is expected to be completed by the end of September, conditions permitting.

Venture Corporation, of Great Bend, is the primary contractor for the $2.8 million project. For more information, please contact KDOT Area Construction Manager Dan Moore at 785-302-6205 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:daniel.moore@ks.gov">daniel.moore@ks.gov</a>. &nbsp;

Portion of Norton County highway is being resurfaced

By JOHN P. TRETBAR Eagle Media

A new government report ranked the states on energy spending, and Kansas is #19. 

The Energy Information Administration added up the total amount of money spent by end users on petroleum, electricity, natural gas and other fuels. 

In the year 2023, the most expensive energy states were Alaska, Wyoming and North Dakota. Alaska residents spent an average of $12,000 each that year. Florida residents enjoyed the lowest energy expenses at about $3,700. Kansans spent more than $5,000. 

Kansas operators discovered five new oil fields in Kansas in June and July. That's 14 new fields so far this year. The Kansas Geological Society recognized two new fields in Gove County, and one each in Graham, Logan and Sheridan counties.

Regulators okayed 20 new drilling locations in Kansas last week, with five new permits in western Kansas and 15 east of Wichita. Three of those are in Haskell County.&nbsp; That's at 478 permits so far this year, down from 664 last year at this time.

Operators in The Sunflower State completed nine wells last week. Five are east of Wichita and four are in western Kansas, including two wells in Barton County and one in Finney County. Independent Oil and Gas Service reports 801 completed wells so far this year, compared to 901 a year ago.

The Kansas Rig Count from Independent Oil and Gas Service is up 13 percent from a week ago, but down five percent from a month ago, and down 34 percent from a year ago. The tally west of Wichita this week is up two rigs to eleven.

The Rotary Rig Count from Baker Hughes shows a decline of three gas rigs but an increase of one rig drilling for oil.&nbsp; The total in Texas is up one; North Dakota and Louisiana are each down one.

Media analysis of crude oil prices is all over the map. So are prices, but it's a smaller map.&nbsp; 

Crude traders shrugged off "Russia supply fears" on Monday thanks to "India tariff uncertainty" on Tuesday. 

NYMEX crude settled more than a dollar higher Monday, but held underneath a $65 ceiling established three weeks ago. Prices cascaded on Tuesday dropping two percent by lunchtime. Prices this month started within striking distance of $70 a barrel, but by the second week in August had dipped below $65 a barrel, where they remained for the last 16 trading sessions. Prices were flirting with 65 in New York after the holiday break on Tuesday.

India is reportedly curbing its sanctioned oil purchases from Iran and Russia, but China insists it will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve its national interest.&nbsp; The foreign ministry posted on social media that it won't respond to what it called coercion and pressuring, but will instead firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests.

Reuters reports that oil shipments to China from Saudi Arabia are set to fall next month, down from a more than two-year high this month, after the state oil firm raised prices. Saudi Aramco will ship about 43 million barrels or 1.43 million barrels per day to China in September, down from 1.65 million in August.

The government reports lower pre-Labor Day gasoline prices than last year. EIA said the national average of $3.15 per gallon last week was 5% (or 17 cents per gallon) lower than at the same time last year. The government expects that to drop another 35 cents by December, driven by continuing growth in crude supplies.

The government American natural gas consumption is near an all-time high and will likely set a record this year. The Energy Information Administration predicts natural gas consumption will rise one percent to a record 91.4 billion cubic feet per day this year, then dip slightly next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

News from the Oil Patch: Kansas in Top 20 most expensive energy states

Ellis County Jail bookings: Aug. 24-30, 2025

Ellis County Sheriff's activity log: Aug. 24-30 2025

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

ELLIS COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Ellis County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2016 Toyota Scion driven by&nbsp; Miranda&nbsp; Wales, 32, Colorado Springs, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of Toulon.&nbsp; The driver fell asleep. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right and rolled into the south ditch.

EMS transported Wales to HaysMed. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Driver hospitalized after she fell asleep, car rolled on I-70

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

Hays Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau

The Hays Convention &amp; Visitors Bureau will partner with the Hays Recreation Commission to host the free Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show for the community on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, 1376 U.S. Hwy. 183 Bypass.

This family-friendly event will feature the giant kite displays of Great American Kites &amp; Events, a vendor based out of Missouri that puts on kite shows all over the country.

“We are excited to extend this special event to two days so that even more people can enjoy the show that Great American Kites &amp; Events puts on,” said Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Melissa Dixon.

“We thank Hays Rec and their staff for their generous partnership to make the event bigger and better.” Dixon said. “A two-day event gives us a better chance of the right weather – sustained winds – for the best show possible.”

Several food trucks are scheduled to be at the event including Snow Cone Express, Taco Riendo, The Local Food Truck, Chilly Charlie’s, Triple C Lemonade Stand, Chucherias Mexicanas Snacks, and Suck It Up Bubble Cup. These vendors will set up in the sports complex parking lot.

Other planned activities include the Hays Public Library Bookmobile, the Fort Hays State University MakerVan, live animal visits from the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and yard games sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters Serving Ellis County.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and coolers into the sports complex, but glass bottles are not allowed. Pets on leashes are allowed at the complex, but owners must clean up after their pets.

For details and updates on this event, check the Community Events calendar at <a href="https://www.visithays.com/calendar.aspx">www.VisitHays.com</a> or search <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/906084298138398/">Facebook</a> for the event “Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show.”

About Great American Kites &amp; Events

Great American Kites &amp; Events, LLC specializes in producing, planning, and managing spectacular&nbsp;outdoor giant kite displays, festivals, and colorful community entertainment experiences. The team has over 16 years of amazing giant kite flying experiences, unique aerial displays, and magical once-in-a-lifetime experiences, all through the wonder of kites. Their company’s vision is to bring people together and create stronger communities through the extraordinary wonder of giant kites.

Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show expands to two-day event

Reach out to friends, family, classmates, and teammates and make plans to attend Fort Hays State University’s Homecoming!

Visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.7LNxDHQVpzCjONIZ4OYIqjnQfcs-2FPVg5bO-2FQFSxaOcioJBHNcJIdkiMuGXDWF7ZawFUG_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOS1G1YVlK0jBWCZJvNQL7smIRX-2FeRZYTIJSWfF5wfJ-2FbBIWv-2FSVU4K766OsVtESPsJxRmiZuON2k0Iygny8gg4P24tljKPDR-2BfvJWIEZfXIWJjdBZ96Mo5i7aXRV8W-2BDIwct34kkJWt-2FIzfrPjvtPhmT17GGa9LqSg0xwqbJMHhH0YjxuuGp1SyanhzAluBPk7KZ2y9c9SYICSZKDlBpGO3UN2Fz2P966mbN8WUaIBpXg7wnj6WoWf1zEYkNCOg9C">FHSUhomecoming.com</a>&nbsp;for additional information and to register for a variety of weekend events set for Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27.

Several Homecoming events require advanced registration, which closes September 12, so don’t delay. Take a look at the schedule below&nbsp;and contact the FHSU Alumni Office at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:alumni@fhsu.edu">alumni@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4430 with any questions.

• Chamber Chat: Promoting FHSU Homecoming and Oktoberfest – FHSU Robbins Center, Eagle Communications Hall, 9 a.m.

Monday, September 22 – Saturday, September 27

• Online Homecoming –&nbsp;FHSU.edu/homecoming/online

• Royalty Meet and Greet and Treats – FHSU Quad, 11 a.m.

• Homecoming Golf Tournament* – Smoky Hill Country Club, Registration 8 a.m., Shotgun Start 9 a.m. (Registration Full) • Tiger Bonfire – FHSU Robbins Center, 7:30 p.m.

• FHSU Major Gift Announcement – FHSU Library Front Lawn, 9 a.m.. Alumni Award Recipients&nbsp;Meet and Greet – Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. • Oktoberfest – Hays Municipal Park, visit&nbsp;OktoberfestHays.com&nbsp;for details. • Half Century Club Social, Luncheon, and Induction* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, Social 11 a.m., Luncheon and Induction, 12 p.m. Price for luncheon is $25. • Campus Walking Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 1:30 p.m. • Class of 1965 and 1975 Optional Campus and Hays Bus Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 2 p.m. • Alumni and Friends Awards Banquet* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, Social 6 p.m., Dinner 7 p.m. Price for banquet is $30.

• Class of 1965 and 1975 Reunion Breakfast* – Memorial Union, Stouffer Lounge, 8:30 a.m. Price for breakfast is $20.

• Student Government Association Reunion Breakfast* – Memorial Union, Ballroom, 9 a.m. Price for breakfast is $20. • Campus Walking Tour – Gather in Memorial Union, Sunset Atrium, 9:30 a.m. • Oktoberfest – Hays Municipal Park, visit&nbsp;OktoberfestHays.com for details. • Parade – The Bricks in Downtown Hays, 11 a.m. • Student Government Association Come-and-Go Reunion Reception – Memorial Union, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. • Tiger Tailgate* – Lewis Field Stadium, East Lawn, 5 p.m. Price for the tailgate buffet is $20. • Sigma Sigma Sigma Reunion Tailgate* (Celebrating 100 Years at FHSU) – Lewis Field Stadium, East Lawn, 5 p.m. Price for the tailgate buffet is $20. • Football Game – Lewis Field Stadium, FHSU vs. Missouri Western, Pre-Game 6:30 p.m., Kickoff 7 p.m. Purchase game tickets from FHSU Athletics by phone at 785-628-4050, online at FHSUathletics.com, or at the gate.

*Denotes events that require advanced registration prior to September 12 by visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.EWtdXdo3nx3t8ZlvSfKX0VaYir6tJ6nKlfv5tq3B579f2v-2FJqQC49eO0U0kTvvId9uKI_1ix3pnygukYWZfKiCJpm8BsHsayWXlw0ucteiDEo46fRc0p9DVWJmv2prlqkbHR6S2dsrJiXPEopagJAn55fgrGOya21Ubchf288oY8AFP4iYaBJwhylwdd5l9F7UOfOS1G1YVlK0jBWCZJvNQL7smIRX-2FeRZYTIJSWfF5wfJ-2FbBIWv-2FSVU4K766OsVtESPsJxRmiZuON2k0Iygny8gg4MhMai7NorDHVuBgq0ZLOn4It66-2BTYdo-2B5-2BXhOh9UtgpjeR6UxNbPtL46XWfFyuVBPOxAFNO1AbIMkbjWORqt1oN5syztueK-2BLp8SEbFCCW-2BO4ZBsYTBmJBFiK-2BFT98Xgue4gKLm4WoeEJ5j-2B4SwKF2OV-2FLujolcZuUo8pANeRL3">FHSUhomecoming.com</a>

Victor E. Apparel &amp; Gift Co. in the Memorial Union will be offering a 20% discount in-store on all regularly priced items the Friday and Saturday of Homecoming for Tiger fans looking for new FHSU apparel and memorabilia.

For questions, contact the FHSU Alumni Office at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:alumni@fhsu.edu">alumni@fhsu.edu</a>&nbsp;or 785-628-4430.

FHSU announces Homecoming 2025 activities, events

Hays High School will celebrate its first homecoming in the new facility Sept. 22-27.

Theme: Down the Rabbit Hole (Alice in Wonderland)

Parade:&nbsp;Friday, Sept. 26, Line up: 4 p.m., Parade starts at 5 p.m. (Parade Application:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://forms.office.com/r/9NefGZ6HfM">https://forms.office.com/r/9NefGZ6HfM</a>)

Homecoming Assembly:&nbsp;Friday, Sept. 26, noon

Homecoming Game:&nbsp;OUR FOOTBALL STADIUM, vs. Garden City, 7 p.m., Coronation: Halftime

Homecoming Dance:&nbsp;Saturday Sept. 26, 8-10:30 p.m., cost: $10

Hays High to celebrate first homecoming in new school Sept. 22-27

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

HILL CITY — The 3rd annual Graham CAAM Slam is coming September 6 and 7 to Tebo Corner in Hill City!

Saturday is a FREE family festival with a huge car show, R/C racing, a craft fair and farmers' market! bouncy houses, and new this year - Okinawan Karate demos!

Join in the awesome contests like watermelon eating, Hot Wheels racing, and the car limbo! Then, catch the 100-mile traveling car show Sunday morning.

Come see why Hill City is the hottest little town with the coolest cars around! Find the full schedule at the Graham County Auto and Art Museum on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069923024072">Facebook</a>.

Graham Caam Slam is Sept. 6-7 in Hill City 

Osborne County Calendar of Events for September

QUINTER — Suicide prevention awareness event at Quinter High School track, Sat., Sept. 13,&nbsp;6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Register for the awareness event by scanning the QR code above.&nbsp;

We hope to see everyone there for a day of connection, wellness and support.&nbsp;

At the event there will also be an opening prayer at 8 p.m., baskets for kids' raffle, silent auction and many other items to purchase.&nbsp;

The event is hosted by Gove County Medical Center and Operation Hope for Northwest Kansas.

Suicide prevention awareness event in Quinter Sept. 13

Register to become a finalist for the Lite Beer from Miller UTV Giveaway at Mr. K’s Foodtown in Plainville this Saturday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

&nbsp; While you’re there getting registered to become a finalist for a CF Moto U Force 4 seat UTV, make sure to check all of the specials Manager Kim Rounsley has throughout the store.&nbsp;

 Special thanks to A &amp; A Coors Miller, Briney Motorsports, Advantage Glass Plus, and Commercial Sign Company.

Become Miller Lite UTV giveaway finalist Saturday at Mr. K’s Foodtown in Plainville

Kiwanis Club of Thomas County/Colby

The Kiwanis Club of Thomas County/Colby is proud to share the official opening and ribbon cutting for the Kenton Krehbiel Inclusive Playground to be hosted on Saturday, Aug. 30 starting at 10:00 a.m.

&nbsp;A project that kicked off last summer is coming to completion and the public is invited to join in the celebration. Joint forces came together over the past year to bring Colby’s first accessible playground to fruition while honoring a member of the community.&nbsp;

Fundraising efforts for the renovation of Villa High Park kicked off in June of 2024 and with the devoted efforts of a local parent group, community volunteers, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, the City of Colby and the Thomas County Community Foundation the funds were completely raised in March of 2025. Over $500,000 was raised by community events, business and individual donations, and finalized with grant funding from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

Demolition was completed by the City of Colby in April 2025, construction was started by Cunningham Recreation in July and finished the initial installation in August.&nbsp; Road, bathroom and parking improvements are still in the plans for the City of Colby.

&nbsp;The playground features accessible equipment with a Pour in Place (PIP) surface that allows for easy access of mobility devices. This playground is the first step in giving accessibility for all kids to be able to play.

“I’ve honestly been speechless and wrapped in my feels to see Kynlee be able to play with her friends! I keep telling her it’s not a dream, she really has a park she gets to play at now!” shared Melissa White, one of the parent advocates who helped bring this idea to the community.&nbsp;

The ribbon cutting will include a hamburger/hotdog feed, face painting and a presentation to rename the park after long-time Kiwanis member, Kenton Krehbiel.

Participants are asked to leave parking around the pond for accessible vehicles only. Adjacent business parking lots and Terrace Drive are available for additional parking.

Rick Dickman from the Kiwanis Club shared “The Kenton Krehbiel Inclusive Playground serves as a testament, that when a small group of individuals with a common vision can come together along with generous outpouring of community support, we are able to bring our fondest dreams to reality.”&nbsp;

More information regarding the event and the playground can be found on their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561395121623">Facebook</a> page: Kenton Krehbiel Inclusive Playground at Villa High Park.&nbsp;

Ribbon cutting Saturday for accessible playground in Colby 

KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson last week announced the office secured a seven-year sentence for a man involved in a drug trafficking case.

In May,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2715/BYRON-D-KITCHEN-2416-CR00381-01-Judgment_Redacted_FINAL">Byron D. Kitchen</a>, 46,&nbsp;pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Trafficking Drugs and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2716/Redacted-Probable-Cause-1">According to court records</a>, the Jackson County Drug Task Force began investigating Kitchen in September 2023 after receiving intelligence that he was selling fentanyl pills. Following about five months of the Task Force’s surveillance, the Blue Springs Police Department executed a search warrant, seizing two firearms, ammunition, about 90 fentanyl pills, and other controlled substances.&nbsp;

The Jackson County Drug Task Force brings together detectives from multiple county police departments and sheriff’s offices with federal, state, and local agencies to target drug dealers across the metro. Their outstanding work has earned national recognition:

Prison for selling fentanyl pills in Kansas City area

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee on Tuesday publicly posted the files it has received from the Justice Department on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jeffrey-epstein">sex trafficking investigations into Jeffrey Epstein</a>&nbsp;and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.

<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/98fthv8otekjk28lcrnc5/AIn3egnE58MYe4Bn4fliVBw?rlkey=m7p8e9omml96fgxl13kr2nuyt&amp;e=2&amp;st=0xvm0p08&amp;dl=0">Click here to view the files</a>

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TrGxDGQLDLZu1vvvZDBAh-e7wN3y6Hoz?usp=sharing">here</a>&nbsp;to read Epstein-related documents&nbsp;

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/98fthv8otekjk28lcrnc5/AIn3egnE58MYe4Bn4fliVBw?rlkey=m7p8e9omml96fgxl13kr2nuyt&amp;st=0xvm0p08&amp;dl=0">here</a>. for back up access to the files.

The folders contained hundreds of image files of years-old court filings related to Epstein and Maxwell. They also contained video files appearing to be body cam footage from police searches, as well as law enforcement interviews with victims with their faces obscured.

The Justice Department released the files to the committee in response to a subpoena, but the files mostly contain information that was already publicly known.

Still, pressure is growing in Congress for lawmakers to act to force greater disclosure in the case. House Republican Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to quell an effort by Democrats and some Republicans to force a vote on a bill that would require the Justice Department to release all the information in the so-called Epstein files, with the exception of the victims’ personal information of the victims.

Acting quickly, lawmakers pressing for the full release of the so-called Epstein files launched a campaign for the House to take up their bill. Meanwhile, Johnson and a bipartisan group of lawmakers met with survivors of abuse by Epstein and his former girlfriend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ghislaine-maxwell">Ghislaine Maxwell</a>.

“The objective here is not just to uncover, investigate the Epstein evils, but also to ensure that this never happens again and ultimately to find out why justice has been delayed for these ladies for so very long,” said Johnson, R-La., after he emerged from a two-hour meeting with six of the survivors.

“It is inexcusable. And it will stop now because the Congress is dialed in on this,” he added.

But there are still intense disagreements on how lawmakers should proceed. Johnson is pressing for the inquiry to be handled by the House Oversight Committee and putting forward a resolution that directs the committee to publicly release its findings.

The files released Tuesday included audio of an Epstein employee describing to a law enforcement official how “there were a lot of girls that were very, very young” visiting the home but couldn’t say for sure if they were minors.

Over the course of Epstein’s visits to the home, the man said more than a dozen girls might visit, and that he was charged with cleaning the room where Epstein had massages, twice daily.

Some of the interviews with officers from the Palm Beach Police Department date to 2005, according to timestamps read out by officials at the beginning of the files.

Most, if not all, of the text documents posted Tuesday had already been public. Notably, the probable cause affidavit and other records from the 2005 investigation into Epstein contained a notation indicating that they’d been previously released in a 2017 public records request. An internet search showed those files were posted to the website of the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office in July 2017.

If the purpose of the release was to provide answers to a public still curious over the long-concluded cases, the raw mechanics of the clunky rollout made that a challenge.

Lawmakers at 6 p.m. released thousands of pages and videos via a cumbersome Google Drive, leaving it to readers and viewers to decipher new and interesting tidbits on their own. The disclosure also left open the question of why the Justice Department did not release the material directly to the public instead of operating through Capitol Hill.

Meanwhile, Democrats and some Republicans are trying to maneuver around Johnson’s control of the House floor to hold a vote on a separate bill that would require the Justice Department to publicly release the files, with the exception of names and personal information of the victims.

The clash suggests little has changed in Congress since late July, when Johnson sent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-jeffrey-epstein-trump-f2a03eca247268b14a9e38858338eded">lawmakers home early</a>&nbsp;in hopes of cooling the political battle over the Epstein case. Members of both parties remain dissatisfied and are demanding more details on the years-old investigation into Epstein, the wealthy and well-connected financier whose 2019 death in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges has sparked wide-ranging conspiracy theories and speculation.

Kan. felon accused of knife attack on another woman

During an exchange with reporters on Tuesday, President Donald Trump&nbsp; responded to social media reports over the weekend about his health including his possible death.

President Trump responded, "Last week I did numerous news conferences and then I didn't do any for two days and they said, 'there must be something wrong with him.'

"Biden wouldn't do them for months. You wouldn't see him and nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him and we know he wasn't in the greatest of shape."

How President Trump found out over the weekend he was dead

SEDGWICK COUNTY – Police have arrested a 16-year-old boy and continue to search for a second suspect after a 20-year-old man was killed and another was injured in a shooting on North Arkansas in Wichita.

Just after 4:30 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the 2100 block of North Arkansas for a reported shooting, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, they found two men inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds in the 600 block of W. 20th Street. Officers, Wichita Fire Department, and EMS personnel provided life-saving measures at the scene.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital in critical condition. At 4:58 p.m., 20-year-old Sebastian Williams was pronounced deceased. The second victim, a 20-year-old man remains hospitalized.

Detectives are working to determine what led to the shooting. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and booked into the Juvenile Intake Assessment Center (JIAC) on a requested charge of&nbsp; felony murder.

Police continue looking for a second suspect in this case. 

16-year-old Kansas boy accused in fatal shooting

Comanche County school board leaders, principal strive to blunt public outrage

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

COLDWATER — After the father of a small-town, southwest Kansas high school junior reported his daughter was the victim of sexual harassment and unwanted touching by her golf coach, he met with the coach and principal to lay out the teenager’s concerns and disgust.

By the end of that meeting in May, the father said, the three men seemed to have an understanding that the coach violated policy — if not the law — when he made a stunning comment to the girl during golf practice: He told her to grip a club like it was a penis.

At the meeting, the coach signed a document affirming he directed lurid comments at the girl, according to a copy of the document obtained by Kansas Reflector. The student confirmed the accusations in a report with law enforcement and in an interview with Kansas Reflector.

The document said the coach on multiple occasions grabbed the student’s hips, waist and shoulders while standing behind her. She also said that he held the back of her thigh, purportedly to improve her golf posture.

Ty Theurer eventually resigned as the South Central High School golf coach, which was his part-time assignment in the Comanche County School District. He didn’t surrender a much more influential position in the district: Superintendent.

Kansas Reflector interviews with students, parents, educators and elected officials tied to Comanche County schools revealed a concerted effort by insiders to shield the district’s top administrator, despite ongoing law enforcement and Title IX investigations. People with knowledge of Theurer’s past said the golf practice incident wasn’t the only example of inappropriate behavior by the superintendent, who for years personally controlled how the district responded to alleged sexual harassment.

Kansas Reflector reporting shows the Comanche County school board president and vice president along with the high school principal collaborated to minimize disciplinary action against Theurer. It indicated the president sought to tamp down scrutiny of the superintendent as word of the student’s allegation made its way through the sparsely populated district.

In a brief interview with Kansas Reflector, Theurer declined to respond to questions about the complaint.

“I’m not going to answer any of those questions,” he said. “I am under investigation. I’m not allowed to speak about it.”

The student who Theurer made the salacious comments to said she had been standing near him at a the Coldwater golf course during practice this spring, according to a Comanche County Sheriff’s Office report and an interview with Kansas Reflector. The student said Theurer approached her and said, “OK, now I’m going to be a little bold.”

She said he moved closer to her and whispered details of how he expected her to hold golf clubs. She quoted him: “I want you to imagine you have a penis.”

When the student responded with alarm to Theurer’s remark, she said, the superintendent cupped his hands around his groin, saying, “Just like this.”

Her description for law enforcement and Kansas Reflector also said the superintendent “ran his hand against the back of my neck and slowly moved me forward to help me with my putting position.” The summary said Theurer grabbed the back of her thigh as he urged her to bend her knees.

The student’s parents requested anonymity in this story to protect the privacy of their teenage daughter. Kansas Reflector and its parent organization, States Newsroom, do not identify survivors of sexual abuse.

In May, the student’s father reported the behavior to Andy Uhl, the Comanche County school board’s vice president. Uhl apparently passed the dad’s complaint up the chain of command. That resulted in the father’s meeting with Theurer and South Central High School principal Bud Valerius.

But instead of all seven members of the school board assuming a role in a personnel issue involving the person hired by the board to serve as superintendent, Valerius dealt with the student’s complaint as if it were a clash between coach and athlete, emails show. Valerius took that approach despite conflicts of interest, including his job as a direct subordinate of Theurer, his assignment as assistant golf coach and his friendship with Theurer.

School board president Kelly Herd said in an email to other board members that in her opinion, “There was nothing in the complaint that would warrant administrative leave” for superintendent Theurer. Instead, she told board members, coach Theurer had been given a “warning” to not offend again.

The school board replaced the superintendent as the district’s Title IX coordinator with oversight of sexual harassment or sex discrimination complaints because it would be improper for Theurer to investigate himself. Those duties were passed several months ago to the district’s elementary school principal, who would be expected initiate an investigation of the superintendent.

Dean Yoder is another member of the Comanche County school board, which governs the education of the 300 students near the Oklahoma boarder. Besides Coldwater, the district draws students from communities including Protection, Wilmore and Buttermilk. The district extends into Kiowa and Clark counties.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements