Kansas Klips
Norton prison COVID cluster the state’s largest
TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reported an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Norton Correctional Facility continues to be the largest active COVID cluster in the state. KDHE last Wednesday reported 387 active COVID clusters in the state, acounting for 8,454 cases, 93 hospitalizations and 74 deaths. There were 211 COVID cases reported at the Norton prison in the past 14 days. Other northwest Kansas clusters identified by KDHE were: Stockton Correctional Facility, 54 cases; Larned State Hospital, 22 cases; Ascension Living Via Christi Village, Hays, 6 cases; Russell Regional Hospital, 5 cases; and Homestead Assisted Living of Russell, 5 cases. A cluster is defined as a location that has five or more cases of COVID-19 with symptom onset in the last 14 days. (HaysPost.com)
Couple wed on 2.2.22... outdoors!
WICHITA — A Wichita couple was determined to get married on 2.2.22, and they weren’t about to let the winter storm change their plans. Well, maybe just a little. While most people stayed indoors last Wednesday, this couple decided to head outdoors for their special occasion. Jenna and Joe Goodale tied the knot—outside—despite the cold and snow. The couple had already chosen the date 2.2.22, and they said they were excited when the forecast called for snow and hoped it would pan out! Jenna and Joe have been dating for over a year. Jenna’s daughter gave her away because her dad recently passed away. The Goodales have been friends since their childhood. (KWCH)
McPherson High School student arrested for suspicion of criminal threat at high school
McPHERSON — McPherson police arrested a 15-year-old McPherson High School student last Tuesday after receiving reports that he was threatening violence at McPherson High School. According to authorities, threats were communicated via Snapchat that a student was going to commit violence using knives. In response to the threats, the McPherson Police Department posted additional officers at the high school and middle school. With help from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), police were able to identify the juvenile who communicated the threats and arrested him on suspicion of criminal threat. The McPherson Police Department said in a statement that they take incidents such as this very seriously and ask that anyone with information regarding this or other incidents should contact them. (KSNT News)
Man accused of autopsy fraud expected to plead guilty
TOPEKA — A Leawood man accused of fooling people into paying for autopsies that his company never performed plans to plead guilty to federal charges, according to court records. Shawn Parcells filed a notice of intent to change his plea in federal court in Topeka. Parcells, who claimed to be a pathologist but had no formal training, faces 10 federal charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors allege his Topeka-based company, National Autopsy Services, claimed to provide private autopsies. At least 375 people paid him a total of more than $1.1 million between May 2016 and May 2019 for a full pathological study and diagnosis of a family member’s cause of death, prosecutors said. Full autopsy reports were never provided to the families, according to the federal indictment. Parcells was convicted in November 2021 on three misdemeanor counts of criminal desecration and three felony counts of theft in Wabaunsee County. (AP)
Man ejected from truck, axle lands on him
TOPEKA — A 76-year-old man was seriously injured after being ejected from his pickup only to have the rear axle of the vehicle land on his chest, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP). Benito Trejo, 76, from North Carolina, lost control of his vehicle while entering the Kansas Turnpike in Sumner County last Wednesday. The KHP described the road as a “snow-packed icy roadway.” Trejo’s Mazda pickup collided with a Peterbilt semi-tractor-trailer, causing both vehicles to leave the roadway. Trejo was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Wichita with suspected serious injuries. The semi driver was not injured. Wednesday’s winter storm made driving conditions treacherous on Kansas highways. The KHP recorded numerous crashes that were attributed to the weather. (KSNT News)
Bob Dole laid to rest in Arlington cemetery in funeral ceremony
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Bob Dole was laid to rest with a three-volley salute and full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery last Wednesday. The Russell native and decorated WWII hero died on December 5, 2021, after a battle with lung cancer. He was 98. In February 2021, after a remarkable 36-year career in Congress and decade-plus stint in the Senate, Dole announced his cancer diagnosis. He earned his Purple Heart as a 21-year-old Army platoon leader in northern Italy in 1945. As he charged a German position, a shell fragment hit him. It crushed two vertebrae and paralyzed his arms and legs. After three year in the hospital learning to regain function, Dole became a lawyer and a local Kansas politician. He never fully regained function of his right hand. Dole now lays to rest amongst roughly 400,000 brothers-at-arms in Arlington. Servicemen and women have been laid to rest at Arlington for over 150 years. (KWCH)
Jury trial ends as defendant takes off
NORTON — Undersheriff Damon Andrews reported that the jury trial of James D. Plotts of Norcatur on 17 counts of theft ended early on Wednesday, Jan. 26, as Mr. Plotts didn’t show up for court that day. A warrant for failure to appear was issued, and the jury found Mr. Plotts guilty on all 17 counts of theft, Andrews said. Sheriff’s officers found Mr. Plotts the next day, hiding at a relative’s house in the country. He was booked into the Norton County Jail. Mr. Plotts had been selling sheds from his home in Norcatur. Over the years, he had built hundreds of sheds for customers from Kansas and several other states. Mr. Plotts had gotten behind on several orders after the customers had pre-paid, and somehow the matter got out of hand. Mr. Plotts ended up owing around $82,000 to former customers. Mr. Plotts appeared in court on the first day, representing himself. He kept answering every question with an answer of “I don’t understand,” Mr. Andrew said. (The Norton Telegram)
