Kansas Klips

Scammer claiming to be Russell Police Chief

RUSSELL—A scammer is using the Russell Police Department’s phone number, 785-4832121, and claiming to be Russell Police Chief Jordan Harrison. The scam artist will claim the person receiving the call has opened several bank accounts and is committing the crime of money laundering. They will attempt to gain personally identifiable information. DO NOT give personal identifying information over the phone. This includes your date of birth, social security number, bank account numbers, etc. If you have any questions about scams or if you think you have been or may be the victim of a scam, please call the dispatch center at 785-483-2121 and request to speak to a police officer (Hays Post)

Deputies discover cockfighting ring in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged animal cruelty. Just after 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15th, sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 9800 Block of S.E. Croco Road in rural Shawnee County after multiple reports of unknown people and vehicles on the property, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Deputies found illegal paraphernalia associated with cockfighting. Deputies then arrested 66-year-old Clinton E. Dick and booked him into the Shawnee County Jail on requested charges of felony animal cruelty, unlawful conduct related to cockfighting, and unlawful possession of cockfighting paraphernalia. (Hays Post)

Two Kansas candy stores voted in the Top Five in the U.S.

WICHITA—In May, USA Today announced that Sweet Granada in Emporia and The Farris Wheel Candy Company in Wichita had been selected to compete in their 10 Best Candy Stores in the United States competition. For the contest, USA Today consulted a panel of experts who then selected 20 candy stores nationwide and asked readers to vote for their favorite. The contest ran through June 10th, with the winners recently announced. After the voting was over, Sweet Granada, which offers a variety of treats such as truffles, fudge, macaroons, and their dog-safe white-chocolate-dipped dog biscuits, took the No. 2 slot with The Farris Wheel, a family-owned gourmet candy store, placing No. 5. Placing first was The Taffy Shop located in Estes Park, Colorado. Sweet Pete’s Candy in Jacksonville, Florida placed third, and Bright’s Candies in Walla Walla, Washington took the No. 4 spot. (KSNW)

Cattle euthanized after trailer accident in Kansas

LYON COUNTY—Cattle had to be euthanized after a trailer accident just before 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 24th, in northern Lyon County. According to Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Zuniga, a 1998 Peterbilt semi driven by Thomas Romano of New York was hauling 123 cows on U.S. 56 in Lyon County. Romano attempted to make a right turn onto Road K.The rear passenger side axle dropped into the ditch, preventing the semi from moving. A local farmer tried to pull the vehicle using a tractor but was unsuccessful, and the trailer flipped over on its right side. Approximately 19 cows had to be euthanized on scene, according to Zuniga.There were no other injuries. (Hays Post)

Kansas man subject of Silver Alert found dead

HAYS—On Thursday, June 20th, Police Department issued a SilverAlert for 66-year-old Randy S. Goodermuth. Since that Silver Alert was issued, Ellis County law enforcement members searched for Goodermuth until Monday, June 24th, when members of the Hays Police Department, with the help of members of the Kansas Search and RescueDog Association, located Goodermuth’s body south of Hays. The Ellis County Coroner has ruled Goodermuth’s death an accidental drowning. (Hays Post)

Naked man attacked Kansas convenience store staff

SALINE COUNTY—Just after 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25th, employees from the KWIK Stop gas station at 1727 West Crawford Street in Salina reported to police that a man walked into the store naked and began battering employees with a stick in each hand, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. The man assaulted three employees, the first at the back door of the convenience store and the second and third inside the store. When officers arrived, employees had already subdued the subject, who SPD officers identified as 42-year-old Joshua Renfro of Salina. The first employee Renfro allegedly assaulted was a 60-year-old employee Renfro pushed past to enter the store from the backdoor. There was a 55-year-old employee who heard a commotion in the business, and as he was at the back of the coolers, he observed the naked male who had two sticks in his hands. Feldman said. “This employee told Renfro he needed to leave the business. Renfro then allegedly struck the victim several times in the head with one of the sticks, and that employee suffered several cuts to his forehead and left eye. Another employee, a 51-year-old woman, moved to assist her two coworkers when Renfro pushed her to the ground and caused an injury to her left elbow and an injury onher thigh, according to Feldman. Emergency responders transported the 51-year-old woman to Salina Regional Health Center to treat the potentially broken elbow. “Officers ended up wrapping the subject and transporting him to the hospital because they believe there’s an influence of drugs,” Feldman said. “I don’t know if he’s out of the hospital, but he is facing charges of aggravated battery and a count of simple battery.” Renfro did not attempt to steal any items at the KWIK Shop—he only attacked employees in the convenience store. After Renfro is released from the hospital, police will consider further charges for the incident. (Hays Post)