Kansas Klips

Hays artist Pete Felten wins the 2026 Governor's Arts Legacy Award before passing away

HAYS—Fellow artist and friend Bruce Burkholder announced that Hays artist Pete Felton had passed away on Wednesday, February 4th. But before his passing, Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) at the Kansas Department of Commerce announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Governor's Arts Awards at its annual ceremony on Monday, February 2nd, at the Docking State Office Building in Topeka. Among the Legacy winners was Pete Felton, Hays limestone sculptor, who carved Kansas limestone for nearly 70 years. His most prominent work includes the eight-foot-tall, 2,000-pound limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper, and Dwight D. Eisenhower that circle the Kansas Capitol rotunda, installed in 1981. (Hays Post)

Explosive device seized during drug bust at northwest Kansas home

SHERMAN COUNTY—Law enforcement in northwest Kansas is investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a home in Goodland. On Tuesday, February 3rd, police executed a narcotics search warrant in the 200 block of West 11th Street in Goodland, according to a media release. The officers located illegal narcotics and an improvised explosive device. Police officers and sheriff's deputies secured and maintained the perimeter while additional resources were requested. The Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit responded to the scene and safely removed the improvised device without further incident. One suspect is currently in custody and facing multiple felony charges related to the incident. The police did not release the suspect's name. (Hays Post)

Man jailed after machete attack

HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement is investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a violent incident in southwest Kansas. Just before 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 8th, the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office received a report of an aggravated battery and assault in progress involving a machete and a firearm in the area of Grant Street, according to a media release. Deputies located a man inside a small camper who was holding another individual hostage. After issuing verbal commands, deputies deployed a Taser, and the subject was safely taken into custody without further incident. Deputies also located an additional victim at the scene who sustained a cut to the shoulder consistent with a machete-related injury. The suspect was identified as Jose Alfredo Miranda Dubon, who was taken into custody and transported to the Hamilton County Jail. The sheriff's office did not release details on possible charges. (Hays Post)

Ellis County man allegedly steals vehicle, leads KHP in pursuit

ELLIS COUNTY—A 47-year-old man from Ellis County led law enforcement on a brief high-speed pursuit on Saturday, February 7th. Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman said David James Juenemann allegedly stole a 2007 Dodge 2500 pickup, triggering a pursuit at about 9:00 a.m. on Interstate 70 in Ellis County. Hileman said the pursuit lasted about eight minutes and extended into Russell County, with units from Ellis and Russell Counties involved. During the pursuit, Juenemann reportedly stopped in the middle of I-70, exited the vehicle, and began doing push-ups before allegedly continuing to flee in the pickup. Hileman said Jeuenemann allegedly exceeded 100 mph during the pursuit before being apprehended near the 187-mile marker after the vehicle ran over spike strips. Juenemann was booked into the Ellis County Jail on charges of alleged theft of property and aggravated battery. KHP is pursuing charges for alleged fleeing and eluding, Hileman said. (Hays Post)