Kansas Klips
Suspect arrested in Crawford County homicide
CRAWFORD COUNTY—The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frontenac Police Department are conducting an investigation into the death of a man from Frontenac, Kansas. On Friday, October 11th, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the Frontenac Police Department received a 9-1-1- call reporting shots fired. Police officers located the victim, Jonathan D. Brewer, 39, of Frontenac, unconscious at a neighbor’s residence at 803 North Cayuga in Frontenac. EMS arrived and attempted life-saving measures, but the victim was pronounced deceased. Preliminary information indicates Brewer and a neighbor, identified as Michael C. Simpson, 19, of Frontenac, were involved in a dispute. Simpson is suspected of shooting Brewer during the altercation. Simpson was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and then booked into the Crawford County Jail. Formal charges are pending. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. (KBI Media and Releases)
Ellis County Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls in Hays area
ELLIS COUNTY—Lt. Tim Deines of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office said that scammers are posting as various identities, including law enforcement. The scammers try to persuade individuals to make payments or provide personal information to avoid arrest. Scammers often direct potential victims to purchase gift cards and then call a number they provide. Victims are asked to share the gift card numbers, allowing scammers to redeem cash without the physical cards. Deines advises people to be cautious and verify information independently by finding the agency’s official number online and contacting them directly. “I don’t know any agency here or anywhere across the country that takes gift cards or anything like that instead of payment. So, of course, that would be a big red flag.” he said. Deines also said scammers target potential victims through text messages and social media, warning that scams can appear on almost any platform. Holding scammers accountable is challenging because many operate outside the country, using local phone numbers to conceal themselves. You can contact the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office at 785-625-1040 for guidance and advice on avoiding scams. “Use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Deines said. (Hays Post)
Northwest Kansas man hospitalized after truck rollover crash
PHILLIPS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident on Monday, October 14th, in Phillips County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Mack Pinnacle driven by Frank Eugene Hall, 67, Kirwin, was southbound on Phillips County W 300 Road three-quarters of a mile north of Speed, Kansas. The truck traveled off the road, entered the west ditch, rolled over, and came to rest on the passenger side. EMS transported Hall to the Phillips County Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. (Hays Post)
Layoffs at manufacturing plant in McPherson
MCPHERSON—Tuckey Allen with Kansas Workforce ONE confirmed to the Hutch Post on Thursday morning, October 17th, that there have been layoffs at Pfizer in McPherson and a reduction of 80 workers between Wednesday and Thursday. Allen said he would meet with those laid off, provide dislocated worker services, and host a Q&A soon for the affected employees. This action does not affect production. These were professional/salaried positions. The McPherson, Kansas site specializes in manufacturing sterile injectable medicines used daily in hospitals around the world, according to the company website. The job action follows layoffs for the drug maker in Ireland this fall amid larger cost-cutting measures. (Hays Post)
