Kansas Klips
Northwest Kansas family displaced after house fire
SHERIDAN COUNTY—Just before 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8th, Sheridan County Communications received a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire at a home in Selden, according to a media release from the Sheridan County Sheriff. The Selden Fire Department determined the actual location of the fire to be a two-story, single-family residence at 310 West 5th Street. A man who was asleep on the second floor at the time the fire began occupied the home. He was able to safely escape without injury. Preliminary findings suggested an electrical issue might have caused it. The fire left the Eartherly family displaced due to extensive damage. Community members wishing to assist are encouraged to contribute monetary donations at The Bank, 108 North Kansas Avenue in Selden, Kansas. Additionally, the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office will release follow-up information with clothing sizes and recommended toys for the children to assist further in meeting the family’s immediate needs. (Hays Post)
Hays man who killed wife sentenced to ten years in prison
HAYS—A man who was charged with beating his wife to death in March 2022 was sentenced on Thursday, January 9th, in Ellis County District Court to ten years in prison. Jay Schumacher of Hays was initially charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife, Karen. He accepted a plea agreement that reduced his charges to voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, and mistreatment of a dependent adult. Twenty-third District Judge Glenn Braun sentenced Schumacher to 61 months in prison on the voluntary manslaughter charge and 43 months on the aggravated battery charge, with the sentences to run consecutively. He was also sentenced to 18 months and 16 months on the mistreatment of a dependent adult charge. Those two sentences will run concurrent to each other but together will run consecutively to the previous 104 months, for a total of 122 months in prison. Schumacher has been in custody since his wife’s death in March 2022. He was evaluated twice for competency, once for competency to stand trial, and again to see if he qualified to be placed for treatment at Larned Correctional Facility. In both cases, he was found competent. Karen Schumacher’s death prompted the passage of a new law named for her. The Kansas Slayer Law prohibits people convicted of feloniously killing another person from inheriting or taking any part of the deceased’s estate. “Karen’s Law,” which was signed into law in the spring of 2023, closed the loophole in the Kansas probate law, making it unlawful for anyone charged with killing someone to benefit from their estate. (Hays Post)
Arkansas City man charged with child sex crimes found dead
COWLEY COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office have new information about an Arkansas City man charged with multiple child sex crimes. On Dec. 28 around noon, Brian W. Black, 40, was found dead outside of his residence in Arkansas City. Black died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies contacted the coroner who pronounced him deceased at the scene. Black had been released on bond after he was charged with rape and other crimes committed against a 16-year old teen. Nothing further will be released at this time. (KBI)
Former Burlington wrestling coach sentenced
COFFEY COUNTY – A 32-year-old former Burlington High School teacher and wrestling coach was sentenced Thursday in Coffey County District Court related to the sexual abuse of two teens. At a sentencing hearing at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 9, a judge sentenced Michael Vander Linden, of Burlington, to 36 months in prison and lifetime registration as a registered offender for three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Coffey County Attorney Wade Bowie prosecuted the case. On Oct. 31, 2024, Michael Vander Linden pleaded no contest to the three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The remaining charges were dismissed. On Feb. 13, 2024, Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents obtained an arrest warrant and took Vander Linden into custody after two former students reported he had engaged in sexual intercourse with them between 2012 and 2013, when both were 15-years-old. Following the hearing, Vander Linden was remanded to the custody of the Coffey County Sheriff’s Office where he will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections to fulfill his sentence. (KBI)
