Kansas Klips
Woman dies after crash into Kansas Walmart Vision Center
HARVEY COUNTY—A Kansas woman died from injuries in an accident that occurred just before noon on Friday, January 26th, in Newton. Wanda Hoyle, 69, of Newton, had a medical emergency, and her car crashed through the brick outside wall into the vision center area at Walmart at 1701 South Kansas Avenue, according to Newton Police. Newton Fire/EMS personnel pronounced Hoyle dead at the scene. No one else was injured in the crash. Walmart was evacuated because of the structural damage to the building. The City of Newton Code Enforcement has ordered the building to remain closed until a structural engineer can evaluate the building. (Hays Post)
Kansas Highway Patrol helped escort B1-Bomber through Kansas
SEDGWICK COUNTY—Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers assisted with the escort of a B1-Bomber through Kansas on Saturday, January 27th. The Bomber Lancer has a wingspan of 137 feet, is 146 feet long, and is over 34 high. It made its way safely to the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University. (Hays Post)
Ninety-three from 41 countries became new American citizens in Kansas
KANSAS CITY—On Tuesday, January 23rd, the State of Kansas legally gained 93 new American citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Robert J. Dole Federal Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. These individuals represented countries including Germany, Mexico, Burma, Ghana, India, Jamaica, China, Venezuela, Peru, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Togo, Kenya, South Africa, Sudan, England, Canada, Vietnam, and several others. (Hays Post)
Former Wilson Czech Opera House to become an open-air theater
WILSON—The Wilson Czech Opera House has made strides in restoring the property after a fire that burned most of the building. Constructed in 1901, the Opera House in Wilson was initially called Turner Hall and made from quarried stone five miles outside Wilson. It housed a dining hall, kitchen, gymnasium, stage floor, and balcony and hosted a variety of events, including dances, gymnastics, weddings, and pageants. In November 2009, a fire from a neighboring building spread to the Opera House, reducing the venue to ruins despite attempts to extinguish the flames. Fully rebuilding the Opera House proved unachievable, with expenses exceeding well over $10 million. So, to preserve the remnants of the Opera House, the choice was made to transform the property into a distinctive location. The unique open-air theater will include a stage, newly constructed sidewalks, and kiosks that will highlight the history of the Opera House. The facility has secured complete funding to restore the limestone walls; the next step involves adding the final elements of electricity, the sidewalk, and bricklaying. The restoration is anticipated to be completed in May for a Public Opening. People can follow the progress of the Wilson Czech Opera House on Facebook. (Hays Post)
Police arrest Salina middle school teacher at school
SALINE COUNTY—On Monday, January 29th, Newton Police Department detectives, assisted by Salina Police Department detectives and officers, contacted an employee at Lakewood Middle School in Salina, according to a media release from Salina Police. According to the Saline County booking report, the employee is identified as 35-year-old Ryan Brungardt. He is a social studies teacher at Lakewood. Newton Police were following up on a crime allegedly committed in Newton by Brungardt, according to Newton Police Deputy Chief Scott Powell. Newton Police officers had a search warrant for his phone; however, when officers attempted to execute the warrant. Brungardt tried to destroy his phone, according to Powell. At that point, Brungardt was arrested and later transported to the Salina Police Department. The Salina Police Department believes there is no active threat to any students or faculty of USD 305. (Hays Post)
