Kansas Klips

Kansas fourth-grader misses bus, drives himself to school in family truck

MAIZE—A fourth-grader in Maize missed his bus on Wednesday morning, April 9th, and decided to drive the family’s lifted truck roughly three miles to school, according to Maize Police Sgt. Braden Blackburn. “One of the first things we noticed was that he parked the vehicle in the lot better than most people would,” Blackburn said, adding that the only possible fine would be directed toward the parents and not the child, which they decided not to pursue. “He is definitely in more trouble with them than he would be with us.” He mentioned that the parents were very upset with their son’s actions. Police were called at 8:09 a.m. when a caller reported seeing another driver at the four-way stop at Khedive and Academy who didn’t do anything illegal but appeared to be ten years old. The boy is nine. He lives close to 37th and Maize and attends Prairie Woodman Elementary School. An officer who arrived at the scene was flagged down and found the boy outside the truck. The officer took the keys from the boy. Blackburn said he assumed the boy had adjusted the seat high enough to see over the steering wheel in the older Chevrolet pickup. Buses were still arriving when the boy pulled into the parking lot, and Blackburn noted that they had state testing scheduled for that Wednesday. One parent was already at work, and the other was away on a trip, so the boy was supposed to take the bus. Blackburn mentioned that they often receive calls about drivers people think are too young, but it usually turns out to be teenagers who just got their license. “This was definitely a first,” he said. (The Wichita Eagle)

Teen arrested in Northwest Kansas accused of plotting to kill Trump

MILWAUKEE (AP)—Nikita Casap, 17, was charged last month by Waukesha County authorities with first-degree murder, theft, and other crimes in the deaths of his mother, Tatiana Casap, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer. Authorities allege the teenager fatally shot them at their home outside Milwaukee in February and lived with the decomposing bodies for weeks before fleeing with $14,000.00 cash, passports, and the family dog. He was arrested last month in Trego County, Kansas. Casap, in custody at the Waukesha County Jail on a $1 million bond, is due in court next month toenter a plea. County prosecutors have offered a glimpse of the federal allegations outlined in an unsealed FBI warrant. Federal authorities accused Casap of planning his parents’ murders, buying a drone and explosives, and sharing his plans with others, including a Russian speaker. His intentions are detailed in a three-page antisemitic manifesto praising Adolf Hitler. The warrant filed at the federal court in Milwaukee also contains excerpts of communications on TikTok and the Telegram messenger app. Federal prosecutors alleged that Casap’s manifesto outlined his reasons for wanting to kill Trump and included ideas about how he would live in Ukraine. Citing Casap’s writings, the federal warrant said the teenager wanted to spur governmental collapse by “getting ride of the president and perhaps the vice president.” (Hays Post)

Hays man arrested after roommate pays fine with marijuana-scented cash

HAYS—A Hays man was arrested after his roommate attempted to pay fines with cash that allegedly smelled like marijuana. Hays Police Deputy Chief Tim Greenwood said the investigation began on Monday, April 14th, after a records clerk reportedly smelled marijuana on the cash and alerted an officer, who confirmed the odor. Another officer traced the cash to the woman’s 400 Block of West Eighth Street residence. Greenwood said an officer knocked on the door, where 28-year-old James Washington answered and admitted to possessing a small amount of marijuana, which he allegedly presented to the officer. Washington denied the officer entry until a search warrant was obtained. Once executed, authorities allegedly discovered more than a fund of marijuana, vape cartridges and liquid wax, and two handguns, Greenwood said. Washington was arrested on suspected charges of possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. Greenwood said the woman who paid the fine was not arrested or charged at that time. (Hays Post)

Kansas Zoo celebrates birth of second baby elephant

SEDGWICK COUNTY—The baby boom continues at the Sedgwick County Zoo. On Tuesday, April 15th, the Zoo announced the safe arrival of another African elephant calf, just four days after the birth of Bomani on April 10th, according to a statement from the Zoo. On Monday, April 14th, Zolani delivered a male calf named Kijani in the supportive presence of other herd members—including Bomani and his mother, Talia. Both mother and baby are doing well, showing positive signs of bonding with one another. Zolani, a first-time mother, is learning to care for her new calf. The elephant care team is keeping a close watch while giving her the time and space necessary to gain confidence as a new mom. Both calves and moms will remain behind the scenes for a short time to observe bonding, nursing, and positive herd behaviors as they are reintroduced to other members of the elephant family. Visitors will have the opportunity to see Kijani and Bomani soon. (Hays Post)