Employees evacuated after fire at Kansas food plant

MCPHERSON COUNTY—A fire caused an evacuation at a food plant in McPherson, just after 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30th, when the McPherson Fire Department was dispatched to Wald Family Foods for an automatic fire alarm reporting water flow from the facility's fire sprinkler system, according to a media release. Two engines with six personnel responded on the initial alarm. Upon arrival, the first engine crew observed fire on the roof of the facility and requested a second alarm. Four command vehicles were dispatched, and mutual aid was requested from the Inman Fire Department and the Galva Fire Department. The McPherson Police Department, McPherson County Sheriff's Office, and McPherson EMS also responded. All employees were safely evacuated before the fire crews arrived. The fire was brought under control within approximately 20 minutes. Additional responding crews assisted with cooling the equipment, checking for fire extension, and removing smoke from the facility. An investigation determined that the fire was accidental. An equipment malfunction caused the assembly line to stop while the ovens continued operating, allowing excessive heat to build up. The heat ignited accumulated grease residue and food debris inside the oven. The final McPherson Fire Department unit had cleared the scene at approximately 1:00 a.m. with no injuries reported. (Hays Post)

Kansas postal carrier pleads guilty to stealing mail and parcels for delivery

WICHITA—A former Kansas mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service admitted to stealing letters and parcels instead of delivering them to their rightful owners. The U.S. Attorney's Office said Amanda Tucker, 48, of Scott City, pleaded guilty to one count of theft of mail by a postal employee. She delivered mail from the Scott City Post Office. In August 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Tucker's home. They found USPS letters and parcels in her home and in her vehicle.They were addressed to residents along her delivery route. Tucker is scheduled to be sentenced on October 20th. (KSNW)

Suspicious device found at Wichita State University training facility

SEDGWICK COUNTY—On Monday evening, August 3rd, a suspicious device was located at the Law Enforcement Training Facility, 4310 East 19th Street in Wichita, according to an alert from Wichita State University. The alert asked residents to avoid the area, follow law enforcement instructions, and monitor official WSU communications for updates. The Wichita Police Department bomb squad was called to the campus. A couple of hours later, the University issued an all-clear, but released no additional details. There were no injuries (Hays Post)

Couple accused of selling drugs from their Kansas home

BARTON COUNTY—On Friday, July 31st, police executed a search warrant at 358 West Broadway, Hoisington, Kansas, following a lengthy narcotics investigation, according to a media release from Hoisington Police. During the execution of the search warrant, officers located and seized a substantial quantity of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and other suspected hallucinogenic drugs. Drug paraphernalia was also recovered during the search. As a result of the investigation, Robert Lee Stevenson, 67, and Cathy C. Whiting, 64, were taken into custody without incident. Both were booked into the Barton County Jail on charges of distribution of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each was booked in lieu of a $50.000.00 bond. (Hays Post)