Kansas Klips

Active shooter training held at USD 211

NORTON — Norton USD 211 participated in Active Shooter Training at Eisenhower Elementary School. Wes DuBois, a former Norton County Sheriff Deputy who is currently employed by Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, was the instructor for a full day of training for the USD 211 staff. DuBois, in the last six years, became a certified ALICE trainer. Over the past five years, he has offered training to area schools and businesses on what to do in the event of an active shooter incident. Classroom instruction took place in the morning. The ALICE acronym stands for Alert, Lock down, Informed, Counter and Evacuate. The afternoon training consisted of working through various scenarios in hallways and classrooms with an “active shooter,” portrayed by Luke VanSkike, KDWPT. Norton Schools Superindent Corey Roy said, “The training empowers staff with information on what to do in the event of an active shooter, giving them options to think for themselves so they can prepare and respond.” (The Norton Telegram)

Henry wins KACEE Award for OWLS work

ATWOOD — Brenda Henry, coordinator of Atwood’s Outdoor Wildlife Learning Sites (OWLS) program, is being honored by the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) for her leadership in developing and maintaining the Hayden Wildlife Nature Trail. Henry acknowledges many others in the community who have contributed many hours of their time in helping to develop the trail as well as keeping it maintained. Henry encourages all grade levels to participate in learning at the Hayden Wildlife Nature Trail and provides many opportunities to engage learners in both the educational aspects and maintenance of the site. Henry has planned several upcoming projects, including a pollinator garden activity with the RCES 3rd grade class. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

Middle school miscommunicates active shooter drill

NEWTON — Law enforcement authorities and Newton USD 373 officials are reporting an unfortunate miscommunication that startled students in Newton. Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Chisholm Middle School was running a staff training drill for an active shooter situation, according to a social media report from Newton Police. Unfortunately, a small group of students who were still in the building heard an announcement over the PA system but did not hear the word “drill” and believed it was a real active shooter. The students hid in a restroom and called 911. Law enforcement from around the county began to respond, and Newton officers arrived at the school almost immediately. Newton Police said, “This was a very scary situation for those students, but thankfully they were not in danger. Drills are an important part of preparing for emergencies to keep students and staff safe, and this was an unfortunate misunderstanding.” (Newton Kansan)

Sheriff: Kansas man lost $30,000 in texting scam

SALINA — A Saline County man is out $30,000 after falling for a texting scam involving an alleged woman. An elderly Saline County man started a texting conversation with someone claiming to be a woman, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Hughes. At first, the conversation was just friendly chat between two people who supposedly had “being older and lonely” in common, he said. Then the alleged woman began discussing visiting the man and even possibly moving to Saline County. The alleged woman also began asking for money. Initially, the man wired $1,000 to the alleged woman, and then began wiring multiple increments of money via Western Union until the total reached $30,000, Hughes said. At that point, the fraud department of the man’s bank took notice and intervened. (SalinaPost.com)

Pies at My Place wins Highway 36 contest

ATWOOD —The U.S. Highway 36 Association recently announced My Place in Atwood as one of the 13 winners in their “Best Pie on 36” contest. Voting for the contest was open from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15 on the U.S. Highway 36 Association website. Each county located on Highway 36 in Kansas had its own poll in which citizens and visitors could vote. One winner was chosen from each of the counties, creating the list of the “best 13” on Highway 36. Linda Anderson, owner of My Place since 1997, said she bakes pies several times a week. The customer favorite is chocolate peanut butter pie. (Rawlins County Square Deal)

Owner faces charges after 33 dogs removed from home

LINCOLN COUNTY — Thirty-three dogs were removed from a residence in Barnard on Monday, and the owner was later arrested on requested cruelty to animals charges. As a result of a search warrant on Monday, March 21, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office removed 33 dogs of various ages and breeds from the deplorable conditions they were living in, according to the Lincoln County Facebook page. Charges for cruelty to animals have been requested for the owner of the dogs, who has not been named. He was being held in the Lincoln County Jail, the release noted. The case has been forwarded to the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office. (SalinaPost.com)