A long-running local fundraiser supporting education and humanitarian work in Haiti returns this weekend, with two days of meals, music and a large benefit auction planned at the Pleasant View Activity Center.

The Share Haiti Benefit Auction and Dinner begins Friday evening and continues through Saturday, raising funds for a mission school and community outreach in southern Haiti, several hours away from Port-au-Prince. Organizers Abner Schmucker and Dale Lehman say the mission has seen growing need in recent years as families flee violence and unrest in the capital region.

Share Haiti operates a school in the community of Cote Fer, providing education for children from age three through seventh grade, with plans to add an eighth-grade class next year. The school currently serves about 470 students and employs roughly 70 staff members, including teachers and classroom helpers.

Organizers say education is central to the mission’s work.

“Education gives these children a much better opportunity in life,” Schmucker said. “This school has become one of the premier schools in the area because of its values, quality instruction, and care for students.”

In addition to academics, the mission provides daily hot meals for students—often the only hot meal they receive each day—and offers assistance to families in the surrounding community who come to the mission with urgent needs.

The fundraiser begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with an authentic Haitian dinner featuring chicken, rice and beans. A singing group from the Moundridge area will perform later in the evening. The meal is donation-based, with dine-in and carry-out options available.

Events continue Saturday morning starting at 7 a.m. with a waffle and sausage breakfast, served until 10 a.m. The benefit auction begins at 9 a.m., overlapping with breakfast service, and continues through the morning. Lunch will also be available, allowing attendees to spend the day at the event.

The auction features a wide range of donated items, including fishing trips, gift certificates, farm and lawn-care services, tools, handmade pottery, hay, baked goods and agricultural equipment.

One of the top items is a site-built building, constructed with donated materials and labor from local businesses and churches. The structure will be a high-quality, stick-built building, with concrete included. The winning bidder is responsible for site preparation, utilities and excavation.

Cedar Crest Amish Mennonite Church and Prairie Chapel Mennonite Church coordinate much of the fundraising and logistics, with additional support from other area churches.

Organizers emphasize that all proceeds directly support the mission’s educational and humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

“The need continues to grow, but so does the impact,” Lehman said. “This is a chance for the community to come together and make a real difference.”

The Share Haiti Benefit Auction and Dinner is open to the public and will be held at the Pleasant View Activity Center, located south of Stutzman’s on Dean Road.

SHARE Haiti fundraiser returns this weekend 

MCPHERSON COUNTY - One of two suspects was arrested after breaking into a McPherson County bar through the roof.

Original:&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/192a82c8-cfad-4e26-ac62-c7924edb6f48">Investigation ongoing: Two masked suspects break into McPherson Co. bar through roof</a>

According to the McPherson County Sheriff's Office deputies have arrested 46-year old, Patrick Hull who was connected to burglarizing the Main Street Bar &amp; Grill through the roof by repelling on early Thursday morning.

Hull was arrested from his home in the county and booked into the McPherson County Jail late Thursday night.

He was booked for the requested charges of Burglary and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property.

Deputies are actively searching for the second suspect connected to the burglary.

UPDATE: One of two suspects arrested after bar burglary in McPherson Co.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson is inviting residents to think differently about development with the launch of Build Hutch, a new initiative aimed at helping local property owners and aspiring developers redevelop vacant lots and blighted properties—one project at a time.

The program focuses on incremental development, a model that emphasizes smaller, locally driven projects rather than large, out-of-town developers building sprawling subdivisions. City officials say the approach can strengthen neighborhoods, expand housing options and keep investment dollars circulating locally.

Dave Sotelo, Hutchinson’s director of strategic growth, said Build Hutch was created in response to frequent questions from residents who want to improve properties but don’t know where to start.

“People come to City Hall and say, ‘I want to flip a blighted building’ or ‘I want to build on a land bank lot,’” Sotelo said. “City staff aren’t developers, so this program is about giving people real tools—how the math works, how financing works, and how to navigate city processes.”

To deliver the training, the city is partnering with Neighborhood Evolution, a national organization that both develops properties and teaches small-scale development in communities across the country, including South Bend, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Buffalo, New York; and Minneapolis.

Neighborhood Evolution’s work is centered on helping communities build wealth locally by empowering residents to redevelop underused properties themselves.

Funding for Build Hutch comes from a $100,000 grant awarded by the Hutchinson Community Foundation as part of its housing development strategy, making the program available at little cost to the city.

City leaders say the initiative is not unique to Hutchinson’s challenges, noting that many communities across Kansas and the Midwest face similar issues with vacant houses and empty lots.

“This isn’t just a Hutchinson problem—it’s happening all over America,” Sotelo said. “Housing is a big issue, but it doesn’t have to be solved overnight. Incremental development is about taking small, manageable steps that add up over time.”

The public kickoff event for Build Hutch is scheduled for February 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Attendees will meet instructors and coaches, learn what incremental development means, and connect with others interested in investing locally.

Sotelo said the program is designed for a wide range of participants—from young professionals interested in development, to business owners who want to expand, to residents who want to turn a vacant house into a duplex or redevelop a long-neglected property.

In addition to training, Build Hutch will help participants understand and access existing city tools such as the Neighborhood Revitalization Program and the Facade Improvement Program, which many property owners are unaware of.

“We want people to know that becoming a developer doesn’t have to be intimidating,” Sotelo said. “If you’re willing to learn and put in the work, this can be a win for you, a win for the city, and a win for the entire community.”

City of Hutchinson launches “Build Hutch” to grow housing through local, small-scale development

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

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Recent obituaries and service times

Reno County residents will have multiple opportunities this month to learn more about how property values are determined and how those values affect property taxes.&nbsp;

The Reno County Appraiser’s Office is hosting a pair of informational town halls this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first is scheduled for&nbsp;Monday&nbsp;Feb. 16&nbsp;at 7 p.m.&nbsp;at the Blue Shoes Theater in Pretty Prairie. Reno County Commission&nbsp;Chairman&nbsp;Ron Hirst will also be in attendance. &nbsp;The second is&nbsp;scheduled&nbsp;for Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. at Eastwood Church of Christ&nbsp;located&nbsp;at 2500 North Plum Street.&nbsp;&nbsp;

At the town halls, the presentation will&nbsp;focus on how property values are&nbsp;established, how market conditions influence those values, and how property taxes are calculated under Kansas law.&nbsp;County Appraiser Michael Plank will explain the appraisal process&nbsp;address&nbsp;common&nbsp;misconceptions and&nbsp;answer&nbsp;general questions&nbsp;from the public.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The appraiser’s office emphasizes that&nbsp;the town hall is intended for education and understanding, not individual property appeals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

All Reno County residents are welcome, and no registration is&nbsp;required. Representatives from the Reno County Commission and Hutchinson City Council have been invited to attend.&nbsp;

County officials say the goal of all the meetings is to provide clear,&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;information and help residents better understand how property valuation and taxation&nbsp;impact&nbsp;them.&nbsp;

County appraiser to hold town halls on property taxes

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Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Justin	Roy	Holmquist		2/5/2026 12:36&nbsp;PM	Rape; Overcome by Force or Fear,					Sodomy; AGGRAVATED; Non-Consensual, overcome by Force or Fear,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Endangering a Child,					Battery; Sexual; AGGRAVATED; Victim overcome by Force or Fear,					Abuse of a child; Knowingly torture or cruelly beat/strike/kickbeat child over 6yrs old and under 18yrs old,					Domestic Battery; Aggravated; Impede Breathing by Pressure to Throat, Neck or Chest,					Rape; Overcome by Force or Fear

Lamar	Lee	Williams	Jr	2/5/2026 2:20&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

James	Lee	Gilbert	Jr	2/5/2026 4:27&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Andrew	Michael	Wiens		2/5/2026 6:10&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Alphinia	Aliza	Toney		2/5/2026 9:43&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving

Diamond	Deshawn	Lewis		2/6/2026 12:06&nbsp;AM	Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction)

Devon	Edward	Elmarr		2/6/2026 12:34&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant,					Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Jeffrey	David	Boll		2/6/2026 2:39&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher,					DL Violation; No Drivers License in Possession

Daily Bookings

Evergy is warning customers to be vigilant after a new text scam.

Scammers are sending fake text messages to Evergy customers claiming the customer has overpaid their bill and is due for a refund. The scammer then asks customers to go to a fake website that appears to be from Evergy and enter personal financial information.

This is a scam and the text and website are not from Evergy. If customers receive a text like this, they should:

Fake texts are just one-way scammers are becoming more deceptive. Scammers frequently try to get personal and financial information like credit card, debit card, Social Security, Evergy account number, checking or savings account numbers using methods like texts, calls, websites and even in person. Here are some signs of common scams and ways consumers can protect themselves:

Fake websites - Watch for fraudulent websites that look like Evergy’s. Always ensure you are paying your directly bill through the Evergy website at evergy.com.

Fake caller ID displays - Never give out personal or financial information over the phone if you’re unsure who you are speaking to. You can verify account information online or by calling the Evergy Customer Contact Center (in the Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West area at 1-888-471-5275; in Evergy Kansas Central at 1-800-383-1183).

Disconnection threats - Beware of threats that utility service will be disconnected in a short time – like an hour – if you don’t provide immediate payment, especially during extremely hot or cold weather. Evergy will not shut off service without multiple notifications prior to disconnection.

Gift cards and third-party payment apps - Evergy will never ask customers to pay via third-party payment apps like Cash App, Venmo, or Zelle. Evergy also won’t ask customers to pay with gift cards.

In-person impersonators – Verify the person is with Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Customer Contact Center before giving any personal information. Evergy workers will also be wearing Evergy-branded clothing and driving a clearly labeled company vehicle. Contractors working on behalf of Evergy should not ask for personal information. The only customer contact that Evergy contractors should have is a courtesy door-knock to alert customers they will be working on their property.

Offering a discount – Scammers may claim that by giving them a credit card number or other form of payment they can give a discount on an electricity bill. As a regulated utility, Evergy can only offer approved prices and programs that are available on our website.

Evergy urges customers to watch out for text scams

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

Families in the Hutchinson area are invited to a sweet night of fun later this month as Hutchinson Soroptimist hosts its annual Life Is Sweet Mommy &amp; Me Dance.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Journey Mennonite Church, located at 808 S. Poplar in South Hutchinson.

Designed as a special evening for moms and children, the dance will feature music, refreshments, a photo booth, and door prizes. Children will also have the chance to meet costumed characters, including Princess Elsa, Spiderman, and the Candy Queen. Cash-only raffles will be held throughout the evening.

Tickets are priced at $20 per adult and $5 per child. Advance tickets can be purchased online at <a href="https://sihutch.org/">sihutch.org</a> or by scanning the QR code included on event promotions.

Organizers say proceeds from the event support Soroptimist programs focused on improving the lives of women and girls in the Hutchinson community.

Families are encouraged to purchase tickets early and come prepared for an evening of dancing, sweets, and memories.

Hutchinson Soroptimists to host Annual Mommy & Me Dance

MCPHERSON COUNTY —Two grown men, one with a back tattoo, who saw a ceiling and said, “Yeah, that’s the entrance.”

According to McPherson County Crime Stoppers, the two suspects made unauthorized ceiling access to Main Street Bar and Grill, 121, North Main Street in the McPherson County community of Canton.

The suspects completely ignored the door.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16JehWjny6/">Click here to watch the crime in progress&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16qHhUwQnB/">&nbsp;Click here to watch another video of the crime&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

"The two were covered in insulation and regret. Thought this was a good idea by wearing socks over shoes like its hiding something."

Crime Stoppers described the suspects as gravity’s biggest fans

"ARMED &amp; DANGEROUS:Only to ceiling tiles and dignity."

"REWARD: One free drink&nbsp; (Valid only if they promise to use doors like everyone else.) "

Two gaming machines were damaged with an undisclosed amount of cash and bottles of alcohol taken.

🎥Suspects break into McPherson Co. bar through the ceiling

Pete Felten, limestone sculptor from Hays, who has been carving Kansas limestone for nearly 70 years, died this week in Hays. He was 92.

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran issued a statement on Felten's passing.

“I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Pete Felten, a native of Hays and a talented artist and sculptor whose work captured the beauty and spirit of Kansas. Pete devoted his life to Kansas art and history, and he served our country in the United States Navy before returning to Hays. To many, Pete was a symbol of Kansas, and he was even depicted as a character in the Western novel, ‘The Last Cattle Drive,’ by Robert Day.

“At 24, he first began to sculpt, a skill he would continue for nearly 70 years, creating landmarks, statues and monuments to honor our special way of life in Kansas. Today, his work can be found across our state: in the Kansas State Capitol, home to his statues of famous Kansans, near historic Fort Hays where his iconic “Monarch of the Plains” monument can be seen and in numerous other locations throughout Kansas. In my office in Washington, D.C., I have one of his pieces – a sculpture of a Kansas bison.

“Pete will forever be a part of Hays history, and his legacy will live on in the sculptures he crafted to represent the state he loved. My prayers are with his loved ones and friends in this difficult time as we mourn the passing of a great Kansan.”

On Monday, Governor Laura Kelly and&nbsp;the&nbsp;Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) at the&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;Department of Commerce announced Felten as a Legacy winner of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/program/kansas-creative-arts-and-industries-commission-kcaic/governors-arts-awards/2026-governors-arts-award-recipients/">2026 Kansas Governor’s Arts Awards</a>&nbsp;at its&nbsp;annual&nbsp;ceremony at the Docking State Office&nbsp;Building in Topeka.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The governor's office described more about the amazing work of Pete Felten.

Felten first took hammer and chisel in hand in 1957 after serving in the U.S. Navy (1952-1956), where he visited art museums on the east and west coasts and Hawaii. After briefly attending an art league school in New York, he returned to Hays to pursue his career.&nbsp;

His most prominent work includes the eight-foot-tall, approximately 2,000-pound limestone portraits of Amelia Earhart, William Allen White, Arthur Capper, and Dwight Eisenhower that encircle the Kansas Capitol rotunda, installed in 1981. He won the competitive selection process by creating detailed models of each subject. He chose Silverdale limestone from southeastern Kansas for the Capitol work because he believed it to be “the finest Kansas limestone, uniform and excellent for statues.” Notably, he declined to sign the work, explaining “this is Kansas’ work, not mine.”&nbsp;

Ellis County alone contains more than 28 of his limestone sculptures, including well-known figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody. His first large commissioned piece was a bust of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Hays Public Library (1961). The “Monarch of the Plains” buffalo sculpture at Fort Hays State Historic Site (completed 1967) stands 8 feet high and 10 feet long on an 8-foot base, starting from a 24-ton stone. In 2024, bronze plaques were finally added next to his capitol sculptures to credit him for the work.&nbsp;

Senator Moran on the passing of Kan. artist, sculptor Pete Felten 

BOURBOUN COUNTY—Three people were injured in an accident just after 3:30p.m. Thursday in Bourbon County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Sportsman 570 ATV driven by Gary M. Foster, 70, Fort Scott, entered Kansas 39 northbound from a field entrance at 1037 K39 Highway.&nbsp; The ATV continued north across the eastbound lane and traveled into the westbound lane. A 2024 Hyundia Elantra driven by Cheryl E. Anderson, 46, Winfield, and the ATV collided near the&nbsp;driveway of 1037 K39 Highway. 

Foster was thrown from the ATV as it rolled into the westbound ditch.

EMS transported Foster to Mercy Hospital in Joplin. EMS also transported&nbsp;Anderson and her 14-year-old female passenger to Freeman Hospital in Fort Scott.&nbsp; Foster was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Kansas man hospitalized after car, ATV crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was deleted after a backlash from both Republicans and Democrats who criticized the video as racist.

The Republican president’s Thursday night post was deleted Friday and blamed on a staffer after widespread backlash, from civil rights leaders to veteran Republican senators, for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady. The deletion, a rare admission of a misstep by the White House, came hours after press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed “fake outrage” over the post. After calls for its removal for being racist -- including by Republicans -- the White House said a staffer had posted the video erroneously and it had been taken down.

The post was part of a flurry of social media activity on Trump's Truth Social account that amplified his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him, despite&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-2020-election-lies-debunked-4fc26546b07962fdbf9d66e739fbb50d">courts around the country</a>&nbsp;and a Trump attorney general from his first term finding no evidence of fraud that could have affected the outcome.

An Obama spokeswoman said the former president, a Democrat, had no response.

Nearly all of the 62-second clip, which was among dozens of Truth Social posts from Trump overnight, appears to be from a conservative video alleging deliberate tampering with voting machines in battleground states as the 2020 presidential votes were tallied. At the 60-second mark is a quick scene of two primates, with the Obamas' smiling faces imposed on them.

Those frames were taken from a separate video, previously circulated by an influential conservative meme maker. It shows Trump as “King of the Jungle” and depicts a range of Democratic leaders as animals, including Joe Biden, who is white, as a jungle primate eating a banana.

“This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the Lion King,” Leavitt said by text, referring to Disney's 1994 feature film, which does not feature the range of jungle primates featured in the original video. “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

By noon, the post had been taken down with responsibility placed on a Trump subordinate.

Trump did not comment on the video in the post, which comes in the first week of Black History Month and days after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/national-black-history-month-2026/">a presidential proclamation</a>&nbsp;that cited “the contributions of black Americans to our national greatness and their enduring commitment to the American principles of liberty, justice, and equality.”

Condemnation across the political spectrum

While it was still up, Trump's post drew condemnation from across the political and ideological spectrum.

The Rev. Bernice King, daughter of the assassinated civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., resurfaced her father's words: “Yes. I'm Black. I'm proud of it. I'm Black and beautiful.” She praised Black Americans as “diverse, innovative, industrious, inventive” and added, “We are beloved of God as postal workers and professors, as a former first lady and president. We are not apes.”

The U.S. Senate's lone Black Republican, Tim Scott of South Carolina, called on Trump to take down the post. “Praying it was fake because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House,” Scott, who chairs Senate Republicans' midterm campaign arm, said on social media.

Another Republican, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, is white but represents the state with the largest percentage of Black residents. Wicker called the post “totally unacceptable” and said the president should apologize.

NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement, “Donald Trump’s video is blatantly racist, disgusting, and utterly despicable.”

Johnson asserted that Trump is trying anything to distract from economic conditions and attention on the Jeffrey Epstein case files.

“You know who isn’t in the Epstein files? Barack Obama,” Johnson said. "You know who actually improved the economy as president? Barack Obama.”

Trump and the official White House social media accounts frequently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ai-videos-trump-ice-artificial-intelligence-08d91fa44f3146ec1f8ee4d213cdad31">repost memes and artificial intelligence-generated videos</a>. As Leavitt did Friday, Trump aides typically dismiss critiques and cast the images as humorous.

There is a long history in the U.S. of powerful white figures associating Black people with animals, including apes, in demonstrably false and racist ways. The practice dates back to 18th century cultural racism and pseudo-scientific theories in which white people drew connections between Africans and monkeys to justify the enslavement of Black people in Europe and North America, and later to dehumanize freed Black people as an uncivilized threat to white people.

Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, wrote in his famous text “Notes on the State of Virginia” that Black women were the preferred sexual partners of orangutans. President Dwight Eisenhower, discussing the desegregation of public schools in the 1950s, once argued that white parents were concerned about their daughters being in classrooms with “big Black bucks.” Obama, as a candidate and president, was featured as a monkey or other primate on T-shirts and other merchandise.

Trump, for his part, has a record of intensely personal criticism of the Obamas and of using incendiary, sometimes racist, rhetoric.

In his 2024 campaign, Trump said immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country,” language&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hitler-poison-blood-history-f8c3ff512edd120252596a4743324352">similar to what Adolf Hitler said</a>&nbsp;to dehumanize Jews in Nazi Germany.

During his first White House term, Trump referred to a swath of developing nations that are majority Black as “shithole countries.” He initially denied using the slur but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-slur-haiti-africa-immigration-28aa0785d6f3c68fd4d9e823b6397429">admitted in December 2025</a>&nbsp;that he did say it.

When Obama was in the White House, Trump advanced the false claims that the 44th president, who was born in Hawaii, was born in Kenya and was constitutionally ineligible to serve. Trump, in interviews that helped endear him to many conservative voters, repeatedly demanded that Obama produce birth records and prove he was a “natural-born citizen” as required to become president.

Obama eventually released his Hawaii records. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/united-states-presidential-election-general-news-events-61f7085d848248cd98410027d33f2101">finally acknowledged</a>&nbsp;during his 2016 campaign, after having won the Republican nomination, that Obama was born in Hawaii. But he immediately said, falsely, that his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton started those birtherism attacks on Obama.

White House explains now deleted Trump 'racist' post about Obamas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal shooting at an American Legion Hall in Wichita is due back in court Friday.

Darrell E. Buckner, Jr., 52, Wichita, will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Rodger Woods courtroom, according the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He was charged with First degree murder and aggravated battery, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before 7:30p.m. October 11, police responded to a report of a shooting inside the American Legion, 1135 North Hydraulic in Wichita, according t a media release.&nbsp; First responders found 55-year-old Anthony Grayson from Wichita unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 7:55 p.m.

A second victim, a 56-year-old man, arrived at a hospital by private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the torso.&nbsp;

Investigators confirmed that the suspect, identified as Buckner, and Grayson were involved in a fight inside the bar. Buckner then left, retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, and returned. Employees attempted to prevent him from reentering, but he pushed past them and went back inside, where another fight broke out. During the altercation, Buckner fired the gun, striking Grayson and the second victim, who was attempting to intervene.

Buckner was taken into custody at the scene and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a one-million dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. man in deadly fight at American Legion Hall is due back in court

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

The sale and trafficking of counterfeit goods is a multimillion-dollar criminal industry.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/opteamplayer" target="_blank">Operation Team Player</a>&nbsp;is a year-round initiative led by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/" target="_blank">National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Center</a>&nbsp;in collaboration with all major U.S. sports leagues to prevent counterfeit sports merchandise and apparel from reaching fans ahead of high-profile sporting events.

<a href="https://www.iprcenter.gov/opteamplayer">Click here to learn more</a>

Together with major sports leagues, the IPR Center:

Buying fake merchandise may seem harmless, but it has serious consequences. Whether it’s a fan losing hard-earned money on a fake jersey they were led to believe was authentic, or small businesses that purchased an expensive vendor license losing vital sales, intellectual property theft is a real crime with real victims and real negative financial impacts. This may sound absurd when talking about sports merchandise, but has real consequences for medications, cosmetics, electronics and other types of counterfeit or unlicensed goods and merchandise.

Counterfeit jerseys, hats, rings and other sports merchandise may look like the licensed version, but you could be scammed out of your hard-earned money thinking you are spending money on licensed gear. Counterfeit and unlicensed merchandise is often cheaply made with inferior stitching, dyes and other dangerous materials that can affect consumers’ health. It may not hold up to wear and tear like licensed gear.

Counterfeiting is a worldwide issue and combating it requires a united front. By working together — law enforcement, industry leaders and everyday consumers — we can make a significant impact.

Many people don’t think twice about counterfeit goods — until they personally experience the consequences. Whether it's being scammed, suffering harm, or having their intellectual property stolen, counterfeiting has real-world effects.

As the Super Bowl approaches officials warn of fake sports gear

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;— A suspect accused in the deadly shooting of a Dodge City man is due back in court on Friday.

&nbsp;Ricardo Talavera, 41, will appear in Judge Kathleen Watson's courtroom for a preliminary hearing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Talaverais charged with involuntary manslaughter and interference with a law enforcement office in the death of 49-year-old Ruben Parga-Quintanar.

Judge could decide today if there is enough evidence for the case to move forward and set a date for his arraignment.

Just before 9a.m. August 1, officers and Wichita Fire Department crews responded to a report of a man down near the entrance to an alley in the 2400 block of North Jeanette in Wichita, according to a media release. When fire personnel arrived, they found Parga-Quintanar with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:53 a.m.

Early findings in the investigation suggested Parga-Quintanar was shot elsewhere and collapsed after fleeing on a bicycle. As the case progressed, detectives determined he was shot in the alley and then collapsed nearby.

Investigators identified Talavera as a suspect and served a search warrant at his home.&nbsp; On August 6, police arrested him and booked him into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains jailed on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.

Preliminary hearing for suspect in murder of SW Kansas man

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/ghills/">GRACE HILLS</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas bill that would have&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/02/02/kansas-bill-would-require-kindergarteners-to-be-potty-trained-before-starting-school/">required kindergarteners to be potty trained</a>&nbsp;before starting school stalled in committee.

House Education Committee chairwoman Rep. Susan Estes, a Republican from Wichita, declined to bring the bill up for debate Wednesday. She said she wanted to give school districts more time to find a solution.&nbsp;

“I do think there are some very legitimate concerns,” Estes said. “Parents needing support if they are going through this. But also, how do we make sure that everything is being done in a way that is safe for the educator as well as the student?”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2486/" target="_blank">House Bill 2486</a>&nbsp;garnered double the amount of opponents compared to proponents. Critics worried the bill would leave vulnerable children behind by excluding them from school and urged legislators to leave the decision up to local districts.&nbsp;

Rep. Sherri Brantley, a Republican from Great Bend, introduced the bill to help educators mitigate distractions. It would have required parents to confirm in writing that their child is potty trained before enrolling in school.

Kansas lawmakers hold back school potty training bill to allow time for solutions

PAWNEE COUNTY- Michael EG Reynolds, 69 of Larned, appeared Thursday afternoon before Senior District Judge Nancy Parrish of Topeka, Kansas, to determine whether he is competent to stand trial, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett. The hearing was conducted via video teleconferencing.

After hearing the testimony of the court-assigned forensic evaluator and arguments of counsel, Judge Parrish found Reynolds not competent to stand trial. Based on this finding, the Court then entered an order directing the Defendant to be committed to the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) for up to ninety (90) days for competency restoration treatment.

A five-day Jury Trial was scheduled to commence February 23, 2026. The matter is now stayed until such time as the Court finds the defendant has regained competency.

Under Kansas law, a person is “incompetent to stand trial” when such person is charged with a crime and, because of mental illness or defect is unable: (1) To understand the nature and purpose of the proceedings against such person; or (2) to make or assist in making such person's defense.

Reynolds is charged with one count of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek into the shooting death of Dr. Tomas Garza, 52 of Larned, on March 30, 2024. Reynolds was taken into custody at the scene without incident at the time of the alleged incident.

Rather than the State Security Hospital, which is on the campus of Larned State Hospital, the State anticipates Reynolds will be transferred to Osawatomie State Hospital to receive the court ordered treatment. At the time of his death, Dr. Garza served as the medical supervisor for Larned State Hospital.

Following the hearing, Judge Parrish denied the defendant’s request to reduce the bond finding Reynolds currently poses a danger to himself or others if released. The defendant will remain in the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff pending his transfer to a psychiatric facility.

Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett represented the State at the hearing. Reynolds was represented by David McDonald of Platte City, Missouri.

Judge rules on competency of suspect in murder of Kansas doctor

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 9:30p.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 1800 block of East Front Street, according to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Upon arrival officers located a victim in the parking lot of Bally's KC Casino identified as 18-year-old&nbsp;Aundre Harris Jr. suffering from gunshot wounds. They began performing lifesaving measures and ordered KCFD EMS to the scene. Medics transported Harris to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.&nbsp;

This is being investigated as a homicide. A subject of interest was taken into custody on scene pending further investigation. The preliminary information revealed there was a disturbance between multiple individuals inside the casino. That disturbance subsequently led to an altercation in the parking lot where shots were fired and Harris was struck. Detectives and crime scene personnel canvassed the scene for physical evidence, witnesses, and surveillance footage.&nbsp;

If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Police: Teen killed after fight inside KC area casino

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking for the public's help to identify jewelry theft suspect.

According to Overland Park Police, two individuals are suspected of committing felony theft from a jewelry kiosk at the Oak Park Mall.

The alleged theft occurred just after 7:30p.m. January 8. Two suspects entered a retail kiosk located at the Oak Park Mall,&nbsp; W.95th and Nieman after regular business hours. 

Once inside the kiosk, the suspects selected a significant number of necklaces before leaving the scene on foot.

 Both suspects are described as Hispanic males in their twenties. Police have no suspect vehicle information.

Anyone with information pertaining to the identity of these two individuals is urged to contact the Overland Park Police Department at 913-344-8729 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.Public Information Officer J. Lacy #653

Police working to ID Kansas jewelry theft suspects

MILAN (AP) — An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-opening-ceremony-olympics-winter-parade-d1aacd10cc2c4636aa985d4936db1d43">unprecedented four-site</a>, dual-cauldron Winter Olympics opening ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture — plus American pop diva Mariah Carey — was scheduled to officially start the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics">Milan Cortina Games</a>&nbsp;on Friday as the sports spectacle returns to a nation that last hosted the event 20 years ago.

This is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spread-out-games-milan-cortina-dba796da13d5a6a2824fc9abfd93d751">the most spread-out Olympics</a>&nbsp;— Summer or Winter — in history, with competition venues dotting an area of about 8,500 square miles (more than 22,000 square kilometers), roughly the size of the entire state of New Jersey.

The main hub Friday is in Milan at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-siro-opening-ceremony-winter-olympics-68f7447ed09409fc9dcb1146c46c7d79">San Siro</a>&nbsp;soccer stadium, which is home to Serie A titans AC Milan and Inter Milan, opened a century ago and is due to be razed and replaced in the next few years. There also will be three other places where athletes can march, some carrying their country’s flag: Cortina d’Ampezzo in the heart of the Dolomite mountains; Livigno in the Alps; Predazzo in the autonomous province of Trento.

That allows up-in-the-mountains sports such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alpine-skiing-milan-cortina-olympics-b6541b08466527959803b2479c9a3416">Alpine skiing</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milan-cortina-olympics-bobsled-f7abaed92a294763a66c5d8b58315cbd">bobsled</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/curling-olympics-winter-cortina-64d55b7582479467d114298a6865346b">curling</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/snowboarding-chloe-kim-glance-68ec5c83cab7f45ad825bd7f3d488d9c">snowboarding</a>&nbsp;to be represented in the Parade of Nations without needing to make the several-hours-long trek to Milan, the country’s financial capital, and back.

For good measure, the Feb. 22 closing ceremony will be held in yet another locale, Verona, where Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” was set.

Another symbol of how far-flung things are this time: Instead of the usual one cauldron that is lit and burns throughout the Olympics, there will be two, both intended as an homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric studies. One is in Milan, 2½ miles (4 kilometers) from San Siro, and the other is going to be 250 miles (400 kilometers) away in Cortina.

The people given the honor of lighting both was a closely guarded secret, as is usually the case at any Olympics. At the Turin Winter Games in 2006, it was Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo.

Other links to Italy’s heritage scheduled to be a part of Friday’s festivities include a performance by tenor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-milan-opening-bocelli-884a38887098840b63ea059c74ab954f">Andrea Bocelli</a>; classically trained&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/an-exclusive-behind-the-scenes-look-at-rehearsals-for-the-milan-cortina-opening-ceremony-d9b2530b1723416091cc9070898eaff2">dancers from the academy</a>&nbsp;of the famed Milan opera house,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-la-scala-gala-season-premiere-58870d7d530c711a68f87a350fbcdeb4">Teatro alla Scala</a>; a tribute to the late fashion designer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/italy-obit-giorgio-armani-bb4b91756214c456fd5db14216a91b75">Giorgio Armani, who died last year</a>&nbsp;at 91. Armani designed the Olympic and Paralympic uniforms for the Italian national team for decades, and was a personal friend of the former president of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò.

Plenty more planned for Friday was being kept under wraps by organizers who said they sought to convey themes of harmony and peace, seeking to represent the city-mountain dichotomy of the particularly unusual setup for these Olympics while also trying to appeal to a sense of unity at a time of global tensions.

Another unknown: What sort of reception would greet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-winter-olympics-armenia-azerbaijan-c3bd416df3afa3e64a5c29d9c438e8e5">U.S. Vice President JD Vance</a>&nbsp;when he attended the ceremony in Milan? And what about the American athletes?

The Milan Cortina Olympics will start with a four-site and two-cauldron opening ceremony

🎧⚾ Royals elect Wathan to HOF; 🏀 Hutch High travels to Salina South

Blue Dragon freshman&nbsp;<a href="https://bluedragonsports.com/sports/wtrack/2025-26/bios/beale_xylavene_h8ad">Xylavene Beale</a>&nbsp;broke two new Hutchinson Community College indoor track &amp; field records at Wichita State's Coach Wilson Invitational last weekend and was tabbed the NJCAA Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week.

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