Police make an arrest after woman found dead in Great Bend

GREAT BEND—Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide in Great Bend have made an arrest. At about 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 5th, officers with the Great Bend Police Department were dispatched to the 1400 block of Lakin Avenue in Great Bend after a 911 hang-up call, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a subject had been shot in the backyard. Officers located a female victim who was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. During the investigation, officers learned that the suspect, identified as Keegan Martens, a white male, 19, had fled the scene before officers arrived. Officers later located Martens in Salina, Kansas, where they took him into custody. Officers subsequently transported him to the Barton County Jail, where he remains in custody. The Great Bend Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Baron County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Salina Police Department. (Hays Post)

Kansas prison inmates raise over $4,000.00 to pay down local school lunch debt

NORTON—A special ceremony was recently held at Norton Correctional Facility as nearly 30 incarcerated men gathered to present USD 211 Superintendent Corey Roy with a $4,267.00 donation to pay down school lunch debt for local families. USD 211 Norton School District was left with around $6,000.00 in unsettled school lunch debt from meals served each day to children whose families faced food insecurity during the 2025-2026 school year. Reaching Out from Within (ROFW) sprang into action this past spring to organize a fundraiser and help ensure children enrolled at USD 211 have reliable access to nutritious school meals after the District was left with around $6,000.00 in unsettled debt. ROFW is a rehabilitative program for inmates who want to make lasting behavioral changes and become role models for nonviolence. The Norton Correctional Facility said the group operates in all adult correctional facilities in Kansas, seven correctional facilities in North Carolina, and at the Transition Center in Kansas City, Missouri. (KAKE)

California man arrested after alleged altercation at Hays motel

HAYS—A California man was arrested in Hays after allegedly following two people to a Hays motel and starting a fight after they had encouraged him to get out of the middle of Vine Street. Don Scheibler, Hays Police Chief, said two people were driving north on Vine Street at about 1:30 a.m. on August 23rd when they encouraged 43-year-old Dale William Owens of Bakersfield, California, who was walking in the middle of the roadway. The two encouraged Owens to get out of the street. Scheibler said Owens began walking toward them. Wanting to avoid a confrontation, the two drove to a motel on the north end of Hays. Owens allegedly followed them on foot to the motel, where Scheibler said he allegedly initiated an argument in the parking lot and punched one of the occupants in the face. A fight then ensued. Scheibler said that Owens left before law enforcement arrived, but was located a couple of blocks away. Owens was charged with battery, disorderly conduct, and pedestrian under the influence. (Hays Post)

Ellis County Sheriff investigating inmate death at Ellis County Jail

ELLIS COUNTY—A 32-year-old adult male inmate of the Ellis County Jail was recently found unresponsive by detention officers. Detention staff immediately began first aid and requested emergency medical services. EMS personnel responded, and the individual was pronounced deceased. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Ellis County Coroner are investigating. The investigation remains ongoing. Additional information will be released once the investigation is concluded. (Hays Post)