One dead in rural Kansas helicopter crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person is dead following a helicopter crash on Friday, July 5th, in a rural area of northwest Sedgwick County. Just after 8:00 a.m., first responders were dispatched to the crash in the 5700 block of North 255th Street West, according to a Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office 9-1-1 supervisor. EMS did not transport anyone else for treatment, according to the supervisor. The FAA and NTSB are in charge of the investigation.Authorities investigating the fatal helicopter crash identified the man who died as 70-year-old Vincent Faber of Andale, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Lt. Nathan Gibbs. (Hays Post)

Fifty years later, classmates choose Hays Wild West Fest for reunion

ELLIS COUNTY—Ruth Prince and Gloria Trammell met in junior high in 1969 while growing up in Miami, Florida. The two were close friends until they graduated high school in 1973. The friends lost track of each other, but recently, Prince and Trammell reconnected through classmates on Facebook. Prince now lives in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Trammel lives in Denver, Colorado. The two decided to reunite halfway between their two homes last year in Colby. “It was a little boring,” Trammell said, “because you blink your eye and you’re already done. So I searched some more and saw they were having a Wild West Fest in Hays, so I said let’s meet there, and I reserved a hotel room right away.” The duo went to multiple nights of festival concerts and sat in the front row in the VIP section. They also watched the fireworks on Thursday night and attended the festival parade on Saturday. The two friends were the special guests of the Wild West Fest on Saturday night and were recognized before the Quiet Riot show. The friends have been invited to attend the Fest next year, and the two women said they are looking forward to returning to Hays. (Hays Post)

Teen continues recovery after SW Kansas home explosion

FINNEY COUNTY—As the investigation into the June 15th home explosion in Garden City continues, investigators determined that the explosion was caused by a natural gas leak, according to a media release from the Garden City Fire Department. The gas leak was ignited when the 19-year-old victim turned on the stove. The issue was isolated to the gas line in the home. Just after 7:00 p.m. on June 15th, the Garden City Fire Department was dispatched to the report of an explosion at 802 West Fair Street, Garden City. Upon arrival, fire personnel found one home with significant damage due to an explosion, with a large debris field surrounding the site. Finney County EMS transported the victim to St. Catherine Hospital. He remains in a Wichita hospital. According to the fire department, officials have not released any updated information on his condition. According to the GoFundMe page, “Our lives were shattered by a devastating house explosion that left Milo, our beloved nephew, critically injured. The blast not only destroyed our home but also resulted in extensive medical bills as Milo fights to recover in the hospital. The road to healing will be long and challenging, both emotionally and financially.” (Hutch Post)

Couple rescued after five hours in a cave near Kansas City

KANSAS CITY—Fire crews were busy with an unusual call early Sunday, July 7th, to rescue two people lost for over five hours in a cave system near Kansas City. Just after 4:00 a.m., a man and woman became lost while exploring the caves off of Coalmine Road, according to KSFD Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. They entered the caves just after 11:00 p.m. after becoming disoriented and unable to find their way out. They were able to find a spot with enough of a signal to call 9-1-1. KCFD Rescue Division responded. Using ropes for guidance, the rescue crews descended approximately 2,000 to 2,500 feet into the cave system, where they located both victims. Both victims were removed unharmed and refused medical treatment. (Hays Post)

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation promotes Len Couture

HAYS—Sunflower Electric Power Corporation announced the promotion of Len Couture to manager of substation operations. In his new role, Couture will manage Sunflower’s substation systems’ construction, repair, and maintenance while ensuring proper planning and coordination with internal and external entities. A native of Plainville, Couture obtained a technical degree in electronics from Wichita Automotive and Electronics Institute in Wichita, Kansas. He began his career at Sunflower in 2007 as a senior substation technician and was promoted to substation supervisor in 2013. Couture has been instrumental in working with Sunflower’s member utilities to meet their business needs. Couture and his wife, Maryanne, live in Great Bend, Kansas. They have two adult daughters, Jessica and Kelsey. (Hays Post)