Kansas Klips

Faulty furnace may have caused Kansas home explosion

MITCHELL COUNTY—Investigators determined the cause of a home explosion in Mitchell County on Wednesday, November 12th, was an accidental gas leak inside the home, according to Mitchell County Sheriff Anthony Perez. A furnace issue may have contributed to the accident, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office. Just before 6:30 p.m., the Mitchell County Communication Center received calls reporting that a house explosion had occurred at the corner of Elkhorn Street and Wisconsin Street in Simpson, Kansas. Emergency personnel responded to the scene and located two adult victims with severe injuries. Both victims were initially transported to the ER at Mitchell County Health Hospital Systems. They were then flown to a Wichita hospital burn unit.Authorities have not released an update on the two who were injured. (Hays Post)

Kansas woman run over, killed by her SUV after a deer collision

EDWARDS COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6:30 a.m. on Friday, November 14th, in Edwards County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Rebecca Oberley, 44, Kinsley, was eastbound on U.S. 50 Highway just north of 110th Avenue. The SUV struck a deer and came to a stop on the eastbound shoulder of the highway. Oberley got out to check the damage to the vehicle. The vehicle was in reverse, the driver tripped, and the SUV ran over her. Oberley was pronounced dead at the scene. A 14-year-old male passenger in the SUV was not injured. (Hays Post)

Northwest Kansas man hospitalized after motorcycle accident

TREGO COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14th, in Trego County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by Russell L. McBryde, 56, WaKeeney, was northbound on U.S. Highway 283 two miles north of Interstate 70. The driver slammed on the brakes, laid the motorcycle on the right side, and slid for a short distance with the bike on top of his right leg. EMS transported McBryde to Trego County-Lemke Memorial Hospital. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP. (Hays Post)

KHP Trooper accused of kidnapping, forgery, and domestic battery

FORD COUNTY—The Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrested a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper following a domestic violence investigation, according to a media release from the agency. Just before 9:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14th, KBI agents served an arrest warrant for Dillon Keller, 34, of Dodge City, at his residence. Keller was arrested on requested charges that include one count of kidnapping, one count of forgery, two counts of criminal threat, and two counts of domestic battery. On July 2nd of this year, the Dodge City Police Department requested the KBI investigate an off-duty KHP trooper and allegations of domestic violence. The alleged incidents occurred over several months leading up to the start of the investigation. Following the arrest, Keller was booked into the Ford County Jail. He met the requirement for Bond and was released just before 11:00 p.m. on that Friday, according to online jail records. The case is expected to be prosecuted by the Kiowa CountyAttorney's Office. (Hays Post)

Morland's new veterans memorial dedicated

MORLAND—On Veterans Day, November 11th, Morland celebrated its new Veterans Memorial. The Morland Community Foundation has been working on this project for over three years, and it began with acquiring a bronze statue of a World War II Army Air Corpsman by artist Sondra Jonson. Displaying the statue at several local events helped sell bricks engraved with a veteran's name, rank, branch, and years served. The City of Morland gave them the go-ahead to start work in the city park 28 days before the Veterans Day ceremony. At 2:00 p.m. on Veterans Day, the project was held with President Lucas Goddard welcoming the crowd. (Hays Post)