Kansas Klips
Woman hospitalized after SUV crash on I-70
RUSSELL — A Phillipsburg woman was injured in an accident just before 8 a.m. Friday in Russell County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Cynthia C. Patterson, 31, of Phillipsburg, was eastbound on I-70 five mile east of Russell. The SUV traveled off the roadway to the right, struck the KDOT guardrail and came to rest on the shoulder. EMS transported Patterson to the hospital in Russell. A 3-year-old in the vehicle was not injured. Patterson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. (HaysPost.com)
Early Christmas present at Rolling Hills Zoo
SALINE COUNTY — Christmas came early for the Rolling Hills Zoo family with the birth of the zoo’s first southern white rhino calf Dec. 9. The calf and Evey, the calf’s mother, are doing well and bonding as animal care staff monitors the pair from a distance. The sex of the calf cannot been confirmed at this time. Evey had been part of a 15-member white rhino herd (or “crash”) at The Wilds Safari Park and Conservation Center at Cumberland, Ohio, prior to her arrival at RHZ. Since she had been with males within the herd, RHZ staff were hopeful that she was pregnant when she arrived in October 2020 and have been monitoring her pregnancy ever since. White rhino gestation can last 16 to 18 months. According to RHZ Executive Director Ryan VanZant, the Rolling Hills Zoo staff are “over the moon” for Evey and the first baby rhino birth at RHZ. (SalinaPost.com)
Inmate attacked nephew of victim in Father’s Day murder
WICHITA — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an assault on an inmate with a makeshift weapon in the Sedgwick County Jail by another inmate, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Lt. Benjamin Blick. Last Wednesday afternoon, the suspect, 39-year-old Jermall L. Campbell, who is in custody for First Degree Murder, exited his housing area. Campbell then approached the entry to the victim’s housing area and when the victim opened the door, Campbell attacked him with a makeshift weapon. Sheriff’s office deputies quickly responded and took control of the area, stopping the attack. The victim involved received approximately seven lacerations, two of which required sutures to close. During the course of the investigation it was discovered the victim was the nephew of 47-year-old Deandre Freeman of Wichita in Campbell’s First Degree Murder case, according to Blick. (Kansas.com)
Sheriff IDs man who died after being ejected in violent crash
RENO COUNTY — Law enforcement have identified a man who died in an accident late Thursday evening in Reno County as 35-year-old Travis Thrash of South Hutchinson, according to the Reno County Sheriff’s office. A vehicle driven by Thrash was traveling on Blanchard Avenue when it left the road, struck a utility pole, went airborne and Thrash was ejected. Thrash was pronounced dead at the scene. (HutchPost.com)
K-State student who died in accident remembered as a hero
MANHATTAN — A Kansas State University student who died in an accident Sunday, Dec. 5 on Interstate 70 in Shawnee County is being remembered as a hero. Autumn Johnson, 21, of Wasilla, Alaska, died when she left her vehicle in an effort to help the victim of an earlier crash, according to the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 International semi driven by John A. Moulden, 37, Knoxville, Tenn., was westbound in the left lane on I-70 and unable to move into the right lane due to a rollover accident near SW West Union Road involving a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Dakota B. Swader, 20, of Topeka that entered the center median and came to rest upside down. Johnson parked her vehicle on the right shoulder of westbound I-70 along with other vehicles and exited her vehicle, then ran through traffic toward the median to assist Swader, according to Shawnee County Deputy Abigail Christian. The semi struck Johnson as she crossed the highway. EMS transported Johnson to Stormont Vail in Topeka where she died. American Medical Response transported Swader to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Deputy Christian. Moulden was not injured. (JCPost.com)
KHP IDs pilot who avoided serious injury in small plane crash
RENO COUNTY — A man avoided serious injury in a small plane accident just after 4:30 p.m. last Thursday in Reno County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an ultralight plane piloted by Scott M. Bontrager, 43, Hutchinson, was westbound and going to land on Morgan Road. The pilot did not see the power lines and struck them. The plane came to rest on the southwest corner of Partridge and Morgan. The KHP reported Bontranger had possible injuries but they did not report he was transported for treatment. Electric crews were on scene to repair downed power lines. (HutchPost.com)
Police arrest 12-year-old for alleged threat at middle school
MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities investigating a suspicious “discord chat” concerning a possible threat of violence at Eisenhower Middle School in Manhattan, have arrested a 12-year-old student of the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 School District, according to the Riley County Police Department. Police have uncovered no evidence the student planned on, made an effort, or had the means to ever carry out a violent act at Eisenhower Middle School or in the community. School principal Tracy Newell told families in an email, “it has been brought to the attention of school administration that on Thursday morning, Dec. 9, a social media post was made about a possible school shooting at the middle school.” According to Newell, the RCPD notified the school staff of the alleged threat. (JCPost.com)
