The Reno County Planning Commission will consider a request Thursday to rezone roughly 180 acres at the northeast corner of East Fourth Avenue and North Buhler Road, a move tied to plans for a large-scale golf course resort development.

The request, filed by 2641 Wanamaker LLC, seeks to change the property’s zoning from R-2 suburban residential to AG agricultural. According to the application, the rezoning is intended to eliminate the possibility of a high-density residential subdivision on the site and align the entire parcel under agricultural zoning. 2641 Wanamaker LLC is filed out of Topeka, per the Kansas Secretary of State's office.

The commission will also hear a related request for a conditional use permit that would allow development of a golf course resort on the property, which lies in unincorporated Reno County. Both items are scheduled for public hearing during the commission’s meeting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Reno County Public Works Facility, 600 Scott Blvd. in South Hutchinson. You can watch the meeting on the Reno County YouTube page by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/featured">clicking here</a>.

Planning documents describe the proposal as a multi-phase golf destination that would expand an existing 18-hole course into a 45-hole golf resort. Plans include two 18-hole championship courses, a nine-hole short course and a driving range.

The development would also feature on-site lodging, with approximately 200 guest beds distributed among a mix of small, medium and large lodges. Planning materials indicate the lodging would include about 30 smaller lodges, four medium lodges and two larger lodges designed to accommodate families and groups.

A central clubhouse would serve as the primary public gathering space, featuring a restaurant and related amenities for guests. The clubhouse is expected to include two restaurants with seating for up to 300 people combined. Parking plans call for approximately 200 stalls to serve golfers, guests and staff, according to information submitted to county staff.

Other elements outlined in the application include maintenance facilities, private streets and trails, on-site utilities and support buildings such as restrooms, concessions and golf cart storage. Access to the site would primarily come from Buhler-Haven Road, with a secondary gravel access planned from Fourth Avenue for maintenance and employee use.

The application notes that no employee housing is currently planned, though the concept is shown as a potential future use. Developers indicated they are coordinating with engineering consultants and state agencies to address water, sewer and permitting requirements.

Public comments will be accepted separately for each agenda item during Thursday’s meeting. Speakers will be limited to five minutes per item and must address only the specific request under consideration.

Following the Planning Commission’s review, recommendations would advance to the Reno County Commission for final consideration at a later date.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Golf course resort proposal prompts rezoning request Thursday

Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson has announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors while also recognizing three leaders whose terms have concluded.

Joining the board are Kylee Stout, Oscar Garcia, and Andrew Soule. Organization officials said the new members bring a diverse mix of experience in business development, banking, and public service, all aligned with the Club’s mission to support youth development in the Hutchinson community.

“We are excited to welcome three outstanding leaders to the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson Board of Directors,” said Chief Executive Officer Lance Patterson. “Their passion for youth development and commitment to our mission will help us continue creating safe spaces, meaningful opportunities, and brighter futures for the young people we serve.”

Stout serves as Business Development Manager at the Kansas Farm Bureau, where she leads statewide initiatives including Shop Kansas Farms and the Rural Kansas Apprenticeship Program. A Bethany College graduate, Stout has a background in psychology and servant leadership and previously built an insurance practice serving farmers and ranchers. She said her interest in the Club comes from seeing the positive impact its programs have had on children of friends and colleagues, and she hopes to help ensure the organization remains strong for future generations.

Garcia is a loan officer with RCB Bank and has more than 15 years of experience in banking. His connection to the Club dates back to his time at Hutchinson Community College, where he volunteered as a Youthfriend. Garcia said his involvement is personal, noting that several family members, including his nephews, have benefited from Club programs. As a board member, he hopes to help generate new ideas and strengthen community engagement.

Soule serves as a detective sergeant with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and has been with the department since 2010. His involvement with the Club began through a partnership with Reno County FOP Lodge #18, which allowed him to participate in Club activities and events. Soule said he looks forward to helping the organization continue to grow and provide meaningful experiences for local youth.

In addition to welcoming new members, the Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson expressed appreciation to outgoing board members Brian Schmidtberger, Jordan Fee, and Matthew Vieyra for their service. Organization leaders credited them with supporting the Club’s mission and strengthening programs and community impact during their tenure.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson announces new board members

Above-normal precipitation brought short-term drought relief to parts of the central Plains, while dry conditions allowed drought to expand in portions of the northern High Plains, according to the latest regional climate summary.

Rainfall was heaviest across eastern Colorado, Kansas, and southeast Nebraska, where warm temperatures allowed most of the moisture to fall as rain and effectively infiltrate soils. As a result, abnormally dry conditions and areas of moderate drought improved in southeast Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and parts of south-central Colorado.

Outside of those areas, much of the region saw little to no precipitation. Dry weather contributed to expanding drought conditions across eastern Wyoming, west-central South Dakota, and northeast Colorado.

Temperatures across the region averaged well above normal for the period. Most locations experienced temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, with parts of the Dakotas and eastern Montana running 15 to 20 degrees above average. Southeast Colorado was the lone area where temperatures were near to slightly below normal.

Climate officials note that while recent rainfall has provided temporary relief in some areas, continued moisture will be necessary to sustain improvements and prevent further drought expansion as winter progresses.

Drought Monitor: Some short-term relief for central Plains

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Court records show Rachel M. Perkins, the former director of the Hutchinson Kids Wrestling Club, has been charged with one count of theft by deception involving an alleged loss between $1,500 and $25,000.

According to Reno County booking records, Perkins was booked into the Reno County Detention Center on Jan. 2. She made her first appearance in Reno County District Court on Jan. 9. As of now, no additional court date has been announced.

Charging documents allege Perkins stole approximately $10,000 from the wrestling club. Further details surrounding the allegations were not immediately available in court filings.

As with all criminal cases, Perkins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Perkins charged following $10K theft from wrestling club

Wednesday on Phone Forum, a caller asked about road markings in Hutchinson, mainly the fact that they were worn off the pavement.&nbsp;

She said that it was difficult to see where the lanes were. Her question was, what plan does the City of Hutchinson for remarking the streets?

We reached out the Cecil Weible the Director of Public Works about what plan do they have in place for keeping the markings visible.&nbsp; Here's what he had to say:&nbsp;

"We are updating this plan now; the old plan was somewhat dated. We are looking into new methods and budget restraints now and can let you know the final plan soon, shooting to have this all worked out by Mid-March that will still be a month or so out from our start of striping for this season."

Have a question? Call in on Phone Forum at 669-8888, and we'll get the answer for you.&nbsp;

You can catch Phone Forum every Wednesday from 7:45 to 8 a.m. and 8:30 to 10 a.m. with Rob, John and Max on BW radio.&nbsp;

☎️Phone Forum, you asked: City street markings

Loki is a charming 3-year-old male Shar-Pei with a heart full of love and a spirit full of fun. With his adorable wrinkles and gentle personality, he wins over everyone he meets. He’s affectionate, playful, and always ready to share his happy energy.

Loki especially loves being outdoors—running around, exploring new scents, and soaking up the sunshine. Whether it’s a game of Tug of war or a simple stroll in the yard, the outdoors is his favorite place to be.

If you’re looking for a loyal, fun-loving companion who’s equal parts cuddle buddy and adventure partner, Loki is ready to bring joy and love into his forever home!

To adopt Loki, contact The Hutchinson Animal Shelter at&nbsp;<a href="tel:620-694-1924">620-694-1924</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Hutchinson Animal shelter is located at 1501 South Severance Street.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

🐶 Adopt a Furry Friend: Loki 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community Foundation has opened the application period for five scholarship opportunities that will be awarded in 2026, with a deadline of noon March 27.

The scholarships are administered annually by the foundation and are open to qualifying high school seniors. Available awards include the Denny Hart Family Athletic Scholarship, the Family Readiness Group 1st BN 161st FA Scholarship, the Hutchinson News Future Journalist Scholarship, the Lois and Avory Johnson Scholarship for Reno County students, and the Myrtle F. and M. Eugene Hobson Memorial Fund for Nursing Education.

Students can find eligibility criteria and submit applications online at <a href="http://hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/scholarships">hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/scholarships</a>.

Questions about the scholarships can be directed to Senior Program Officer Jan Steen at 620-663-5293 or <a href="mailto:jan@hutchcf.org">jan@hutchcf.org.</a>

The Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, collaboration and innovative leadership to strengthen Reno County communities. Since its founding in 1990, the foundation has awarded more than $115 million in grants.

Hutchinson Community Foundation opens applications for 2026 scholarships

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

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

The Hutchinson Public Library will hold a public basement clearout sale this weekend as it prepares for an upcoming remodel.

The sale is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will take place in the library’s basement. Library officials say the event is an opportunity for the public to purchase surplus furniture and equipment at discounted prices.

Items available include desks, office tables, Makerspace tables, wall-mounted and floor cabinetry, shelving, office and lounge chairs, and miscellaneous office equipment. Among the items for sale are an electric stapler, a paper drill, an opaque projector, and a slide projector. Hutchinson Public Library Director Gregg Wamsley describes the offerings as typical office furnishings and equipment no longer needed by the library.

All items are priced to sell and must be taken at the time of purchase. Buyers are responsible for moving items out of the basement and should bring their own moving tools, such as dollies or hand trucks. Library staff will facilitate access for large items through the garage or emergency exit double doors.

All purchased items must be removed by the end of the sale on Saturday. Library officials encourage interested buyers to arrive early, as quantities are limited and items will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hutchinson Public Library holding basement sale ahead of remodel

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. ——————————————  

Michelle	Rose	Quinones		1/14/2026 8:46&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Kenneth	Elroy	York		1/14/2026 11:35&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Jasmine	Renee	Gray		1/14/2026 11:46&nbsp;AM	Probation Violation

Rodney	Shawn	Koch		1/14/2026 3:16&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Poss of hallucinogenic drug,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Christopher	Michael	Roberts		1/14/2026 4:38&nbsp;PM	Viol protection order; Condition of release

Katherine	Ann	Mendenhall		1/14/2026 8:24&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Destin	Lucas	Pope		1/14/2026 9:40&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway,					Possession of marijuana

Cory	Dale	Garrison		1/15/2026 1:04&nbsp;AM	Viol protection order; Pre-trial order

Joshua	Lee	Farr		1/15/2026 1:36&nbsp;AM	Pedestrian; Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs upon Roadway

					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misdemeanor case, Execution of Misdemeanor Warrant

Daily Bookings

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southeast corner of 6th Avenue and North Main.

Peter Friesen and his wife operated an undertaker and embalming parlor at 316 N. Main from about 1900 to 1920.

Dr. H.G. Welsh operated a hospital, converted from a large home, at 514 N. Main.

About 1920, Friesen built a large, home-style structure next to the hospital at 528 N. Main and moved his business there. The first photo shows the Friesen Funeral Parlor right after construction.

The second photo shows the business in 1930 with considerably more foliage.

About 1940, Oscar and Keith Volkland purchased the funeral home and ran it until 1976. The third photo shows that timeframe of ownership.

In 1976, Don and Donna Gustafson took over, but in 1977, Glenn and Linda Osenbaugh purchased the funeral home.

In the 2000s, Bill Wright owned the business.

In 2010, StoneMor Kansas purchased and remodeled the funeral home and still runs it today. The fourth photo shows the "Old Mission-Heritage" funeral home today at 528 N. Main, still owned by StoneMor Kansas L.L.C. (now Everstory Partners) out of Feasterville, Pennsylvania.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: Old Mission-Heritage - Vol. 157

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors charged 20 people on Thursday, including 15 former college basketball players, in what they called a betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games.

<a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/981641066/Sports-Betting-Indictment-in-Philadelphia">Click here to read the </a>full indictment

Of the defendants, 15 played basketball for Division 1 NCAA schools as recently as the 2024-25 season. School included in the indictment are Nicholls State, Tulane, Northwestern State, St. Louis, La Salle, Fordham, DePaul, Robert Morris, Southern Miss, North Carolina A&amp;T, Kennesaw State, Coppin State, New Orleans, Abilene Christian, Eastern Michigan and Alabama State.

The other five defendants were described by authorities as fixers.

They include two men who prosecutors say worked in the training and development of basketball players. Another was a trainer and former coach, one was a former NCAA player and two were described as gamblers, influencers and sports handicappers.

The charges, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, include wire fraud.

In the 70-page indictment, authorities say the fixers recruited the college basketball players with “bribe payments” usually ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per game.

The indictment follows a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ncaa-sports-betting-college-players-415d6d8987237fd1393819460986db47">NCAA investigations</a>&nbsp;that led to at least 10 players receiving lifetime bans this year for bets that sometimes involved their own teams and their own performances. And the NCAA has said that at least 30 players have been investigated over gambling allegations.

See the names, schools: Former NCAA players charged in betting scheme

By:<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/max-nesterak/">Max Nesterak</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/author/alyssachen/">Alyssa Chen</a> <a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/">Minnesota Reformer</a>

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday morning to send the military into Minnesota to stop protests, following another shooting by immigration agents that injured one person, seven days after an agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Writing on his own social media platform, Trump said he would invoke the Insurrection Act, a 19th-century law empowering the government to deploy the military domestically to “repress insurrections and repel invasions.”

“If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT,” Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115899252938886431" target="_blank">wrote</a>&nbsp;on Truth Social.

The law grants an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the military from performing domestic law enforcement.

The Insurrection Act was last invoked in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush in response to civil unrest that included the deaths of 63 people, following the acquittal of four white police officers charged with beating to death Black driver Rodney King. The statute has been used about 30 times since the country’s founding, according to records kept by the Brennan Center for Justice.

Protests erupted across the Twin Cities after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/07/ice-officer-fatally-shoots-driver-through-car-window-in-minneapolis/">shot and killed</a>&nbsp;37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

The demonstrations escalated Wednesday night after a federal immigration agent shot and injured a man in north Minneapolis.&nbsp;

According to a statement issued by the Department of Homeland Security, a man crashed his vehicle and ran away as agents were “conducting a targeted traffic stop” at 6:50 p.m. Central time. An agent fired “a defensive shot to defend his life” after the man and two bystanders “attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle,” according to the statement.&nbsp;

The agent shot the man in the leg, according to the department. The statement described the man as “an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.”

States Newsroom’s Minnesota Reformer was unable to confirm the account.&nbsp;

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said in a late-night press conference that the man was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Reformer&nbsp;<a href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/01/14/second-person-in-a-week-shot-by-federal-immigration-agent-in-minneapolis/">reported</a>&nbsp;that scores of demonstrators arrived at the scene, sparking a back-and-forth with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs. Agents detained at least two people after someone threw fireworks at the agents. At least two vehicles believed to be used by federal officers were vandalized. The clashes largely stopped by 11:30 p.m., according to the Reformer.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey asked for calm and reiterated his call for the Trump administration to remove ICE from the city.

Trump surged more ICE agents to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Good, bringing the total to roughly 3,000 — far outnumbering the city’s 600 local police officers.&nbsp;

President Trump threatens to use Insurrection Act, deploy military in Minnesota

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. forces in the Caribbean Sea have seized another sanctioned oil tanker the Trump administration says has ties to Venezuela, part of a broader U.S. effort to take control of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e">the South American country’s oil</a>.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote Thursday on social media, “Motor Tanker Veronica had previously passed through Venezuelan waters, and was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean.”

A social media post from U.S. Southern Command on the capture said that Marines and sailors launched from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford to make the capture while Noem’s post noted that, like in previous raids, a U.S. Coast Guard tactical team conducted the boarding and seizure.

Noem posted a brief video that appeared to show part of the ship’s capture. The black-and-white footage showed helicopters hovering over the deck of a merchant vessel while armed troops dropped down on the deck by rope.

The Veronica is the sixth tanker that has been seized by U.S. forces as part of the effort by President Donald Trump’s administration to control the production, refining and global distribution of Venezuela’s oil products, and the fourth since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-maduro-what-to-know-a57528ff315a7f70ed51a1721f5e0bc2">the U.S. ouster of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid almost two weeks ago.

Noem, in her social media post, said that the raid was carried out with “close coordination with our colleagues” in the military as well as the State and Justice departments.

“Our heroic Coast Guard men and women once again ensured a flawlessly executed operation, in accordance with international law,” Noem added.

As with prior posts, Noem and the military framed the seizure as part of an effort to enforce the law. Noem argued that the multiple captures show that “there is no outrunning or escaping American justice.”

However, other officials in Trump's Republican administration have made clear they see it as a way to generate cash as they seek to rebuild Venezuela’s battered oil industry and restore its economy.

Last week, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-oil-chevron-exxonmobil-conocophillips-0e0619a991e92fd546504f1a613161e7">met with executives from oil companies</a>&nbsp;to discuss his goal of investing $100 billion in Venezuela to repair and upgrade its oil production and distribution. His administration has said it expects to sell at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-trump-democrats-9d16138866bebdc2644eb009c6326066">30 million to 50 million barrels</a>&nbsp;of sanctioned Venezuelan oil.

🎥  US seizes in Caribbean Sea another sanctioned oil tanker

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man charged in the death of his pregnant girlfriend is scheduled to return to court.

On Thursday, 20-year-old Matthew Wayne Criscenzo will attend a preliminary hearing in Judge Jeffrey Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In September, Criscenzo pleaded not guilty to charges of 1st degree murder and aggravated battery, in the shooting death of 20-year-old Naomi Oglesby.

On May 25, police arrested&nbsp; Criscenzo in the 700 Block of Laura Street in Wichita in connection with the shooting death. At the time of the incident,&nbsp;Oglesby was pregnant, according to Wichita Police Officer Rick Pena. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she was pronounced deceased.

Doctors were able to deliver her infant who was transported to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a Wichita hospital.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Kan. man accused of killing pregnant girlfriend is due back in court

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is aware of a recent event where a skimming device was used in a Wichita store resulting in the theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from 46 Kansas households, according to a media release from the agency.

&nbsp;An investigation by DCF, it was discovered a skimming device had been placed on a point of sale terminal at a Wichita store to steal Kansas Benefits Card (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card) information. That stolen information was then used to drain the SNAP benefits from the cards. 

The impacted cards were all used at the same store.Currently, this event is affecting 46 SNAP recipients with a total of approximately $9,800 in stolen SNAP benefits.

On Jan. 5, 2026, DCF received notification from several Kansans that their benefits were being used in Pennsylvania. 

DCF immediately began investigating and deactivating cards that had been used at a suspected location as a precaution to prevent additional theft of benefits.Further investigation by DCF indicates possible skimming activity associated with Kansas Benefits Cards (electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards) in the Kansas City, Kansas area. 

The investigation is ongoing and DCF is working with law enforcement on this case.

Affected cardholders should receive notice in the mail. Cardholders with Self-Service Portal (SSP) accounts who have opted in to receive communications will also get a text message or email prompting them to review a message in the portal.​ Affected cardholders will receive new Kansas Benefits Cards mailed to their homes.

<a href="https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/skimming" target="_blank">Skimmers</a>&nbsp;are devices criminals use to steal data from credit, debit and EBT cards. These devices are illegally placed on point-of-sale terminals to capture card data. The criminals then use the data to create fake cards and make illegal purchases. Criminals may use the stolen card information to make purchases in other states because skimming events are often part of a larger theft ring.

How to help prevent EBT card theft

Stolen benefits cannot be replaced. DCF strongly encourages cardholders to use the free ebtEDGE app from DCF’s EBT contractor, Fidelity Information Services (FIS), or the ebtEDGE Cardholder Portal at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>&nbsp;to monitor their account and help further safeguard their benefits by using the following features:

Third-party EBT apps do not provide the same protection features as ebtEDGE. The ebtEDGE app can be accessed in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

Cardholders are also encouraged to beware of phishing attempts, and they should not share their card info or the PIN over the phone or via text message. DCF and FIS will never call or text cardholders and explicitly ask for their card number or PIN. 

Learn more about protecting EBT cards at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/EBT-Online.aspx" target="_blank">ebtcards.dcf.ks.gov</a>.What should cardholders do if they suspect their card has been compromised?If a cardholder suspects their EBT card has been compromised,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ebtedge.com/gov/portal/PortalHome.do" target="_blank">ebtedge.com</a>.Will stolen benefits be replaced?Federally funded replacement for stolen SNAP and TANF benefits ended in December 2024. In addition, there is no state money available for reimbursement. This means stolen SNAP and TANF benefits cannot be replaced.

DCF investigating EBT card skimming across Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY—Police are asking help in identifying an individual in connection with a burglary spree in Lenexa.

Since the first of the year, multiple work vehicles at local businesses have been broken into, with tools and equipment stolen. These crimes don’t just result in stolen property—they also cause vehicle damage and disrupt daily business operations. The burglaries occurred in the 8100 Lenexa Drive, in the 8200 block of Melrose, at 95th and Pflumm at 10100 Marshall among other locations, according to police.

If you recognize this person or have information about their identity, please contact our detective at 913-825-8120.

The suspect has been seen driving a dark Honda CR-V, which is shown at the end of this video.

Police ask for help to ID Kansas burglary suspect

THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement in northwest Kansas are investigating six suspects on multiple drug allegations after a drug enforcement investigation.

On Tuesday, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office concluded a six-month investigation into the trafficking and distribution of narcotics in Thomas County, according to&nbsp;Sheriff Joel Nickols.

 As part of this investigation, deputies executed a total of five residential search warrants within Thomas County during December 2025. As the investigation progressed, the Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). 

On January 13, 2026, the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office executed two additional search warrants in Colby, Kansas. Deputies served a search warrant on multiple storage units located within the city limits of Colby, while the Kansas Bureau of Investigation simultaneously executed a search warrant at a residence also located in Colby.

As a result of these investigations, multiple pounds of controlled substances were seized. Items recovered included large quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, THC products, psilocybin mushrooms, Suboxone, and other illicit opiates and stimulants. 

A total of six suspects have been arrested in connection with these cases. The sheriff office did not release the names of the suspects or possible charges in the case.

Sheriff: 6 arrested after large drug bust in northwest Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted to dismiss a war powers resolution Wednesday that would have limited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;ability to conduct further attacks on Venezuela after two GOP senators reversed course on supporting the legislation.

Trump put intense pressure on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">five Republican senators</a>&nbsp;who joined with Democrats to advance the resolution last week and ultimately prevailed in heading off passage of the legislation. Two of the Republicans — Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana — flipped under the pressure.

Vice President JD Vance had to break the 50-50 deadlock in the Senate on a Republican motion to dismiss the bill.&nbsp; Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall also voted to dismiss the bill.

The outcome of the high-profile vote demonstrated how Trump still has command over much of the Republican conference, yet the razor-thin vote tally also showed the growing concern on Capitol Hill over the president’s aggressive foreign policy ambitions.

Democrats forced the debate after U.S. troops captured Venezuelan leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-maduro-capture-trump-attack-military-ceb21da088f0a06b1813e66922def9a3">Nicolás Maduro</a>&nbsp;in a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month

“Here we have one of the most successful attacks ever and they find a way to be against it. It’s pretty amazing. And it’s a shame,” Trump said at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-michigan-manufacturing-8843cdb26cdfcdf9bf8c8273823c6d84">speech in Michigan</a>&nbsp;Tuesday. He also hurled insults at several of the Republicans who advanced the legislation, calling Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky a “stone cold loser” and Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine “disasters.” Those three Republicans stuck to their support for the legislation.

Trump’s latest comments followed earlier phone calls with the senators, which they described as terse. The president’s fury underscored how the war powers vote had taken on new political significance as Trump also threatens military action to accomplish his goal of possessing Greenland.

The legislation, even if it had cleared the Senate, had virtually no chance of becoming law because it would eventually need to be signed by Trump himself. But it represented both a test of GOP loyalty to the president and a marker for how much&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-venezuela-strikes-congress-6c0061bf5a9c417e66f76fcc6ee57405">leeway the Republican-controlled Senate</a>&nbsp;is willing to give Trump to use the military abroad. Republican angst over his recent foreign policy moves — especially threats of using military force to seize Greenland from a NATO ally — is still running high in Congress.

Hawley, who helped advance the war powers resolution last week, said Trump’s message during a phone call was that the legislation “really ties my hands.” The senator said he had a follow-up phone call with Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marco-rubio">Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;Monday and was told “point blank, we’re not going to do ground troops.”

The senator added that he also received assurances that the Trump administration will follow constitutional requirements if it becomes necessary to deploy troops again to the South American country.

“We’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” Trump told reporters at a ceremony for the signing of an unrelated bill Wednesday.

As senators went to the floor for the vote Wednesday evening, Young also told reporters he was no longer in support. He said that he had extensive conversations with Rubio and received assurances that the secretary of state will appear at a public hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Young also shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.young.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/APNSA-Rubio-Letter-to-Sen.-Young_01.14.26.pdf" target="_blank">letter from Rubio</a>&nbsp;that stated the president will “seek congressional authorization in advance (circumstances permitting)” if he engaged in “major military operations” in Venezuela.

The senators also said his efforts were also instrumental in pushing the administration to release Wednesday a 22-page Justice Department memo laying out the legal justification for the snatch-and-grab operation against Maduro.

That memo, which was heavily redacted, indicates that the administration, for now, has no plans to ramp up military operations in Venezuela.

“We were assured that there is no contingency plan to engage in any substantial and sustained operation that would amount to a constitutional war,” according to the memo signed by Assistant Attorney General Elliot Gaiser.

Trump’s shifting rationale for military intervention

Trump has used a series of legal arguments for his campaign against Maduro.

As he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">built up a naval force</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean and destroyed vessels that were allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, the Trump administration tapped wartime powers under the global war on terror by designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

The administration has claimed the capture of Maduro himself was actually a law enforcement operation, essentially to extradite the Venezuelan president to stand trial for charges in the U.S. that were filed in 2020.

Paul criticized the administration for first describing its military build-up in Caribbean as a counternarcotics operation but now floating Venezuela’s vast oil reserves as a reason for maintaining pressure.

“The bait and switch has already happened,” he said.

Trump’s foreign policy worries Congress

Lawmakers, including a significant number of Republicans, have been alarmed by Trump’s recent foreign policy talk. In recent weeks, he has pledged that the U.S. will “run” Venezuela for years to come, threatened military action to take&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-trump-china-nato-arctic-law-5d92b9439ffa9027598af4be695e6415">possession of Greenland</a>&nbsp;and told Iranians protesting their government that “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-trump-80f937dfbb3e04e5322dae30db3ad4b3">help is on its way</a>.”

Senior Republicans have tried to massage the relationship between Trump and Denmark, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-greenland-trump-denmark-threat-annex-4907c132b499531d8d5fe6cd549c0beb">NATO ally</a>&nbsp;that holds Greenland as a semi-autonomous territory. But Danish officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/greenland-united-states-denmark-trump-vance-rubio-meeting-cc278af4f3daf725029101966ba03568">emerged from a meeting</a>&nbsp;with Vance and Rubio Wednesday saying a “fundamental disagreement” over Greenland remains.

“What happened tonight is a roadmap to another endless war,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said at a news conference following the vote.

More than half of U.S. adults believe President Donald Trump has “gone too far” in using the U.S. military to intervene in other countries, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-trump-venezuela-foreign-policy-approval-ce8d92a1461abb354f8c799e6b487e49">new AP-NORC poll</a>.

How Republican leaders dismissed the bill

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-war-powers-venezuela-trump-maduro-greenland-e1c5c8390eb2331779504b710fe85025">Last week’s procedural vote</a>&nbsp;on the war powers resolution was supposed to set up hours of debate and a vote on final passage. But Republican leaders began searching for a way to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republicans-split-trump-midterms-obamacare-venezuela-greenland-bafc2793a8d78d530ac424532e426283">defuse the conflict</a>&nbsp;between their members and Trump as well as move on quickly to other business.

Once Hawley and Young changed their support for the bill, Republicans were able to successfully challenge whether it was appropriate when the Trump administration has said U.S. troops are not currently deployed in Venezuela.

“We’re not currently conducting military operations there,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune in a floor speech. “But Democrats are taking up this bill because their anti-Trump hysteria knows no bounds.”

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, who has brought a series of war powers resolutions this year, accused Republicans of burying a debate about the merits of an ongoing campaign of attacks and threats against Venezuela.

“If this cause and if this legal basis were so righteous, the administration and its supporters would not be afraid to have this debate before the public and the United States Senate,” he said in a floor speech.

Kaine vowed to force votes on war powers resolutions that would apply to a number of potential military conflicts, including Greenland. House Democrats have also filed a similar war powers resolution and can force a vote on it as soon as next week.

Associated Press writers Josh Goodman, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Joey Cappelletti in Washington and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.

🎥Moran, Marshall help Senate kill Venezuela War Powers resolution

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a house fire in Kansas City.

Just after 10a.m. Wednesday, crews were dispatched to a reported fire in the 3300 block of Flora Avenue, according to Battalion Chief Riley Nolan.

On arrival, crews reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a 1-story home. An offensive interior fire attack was initiated, and 2 hose lines were advanced to extinguish the fire. The fire was placed under controlat 10:18 a.m.&nbsp;Searches throughout the structure were performed and came back all clear.&nbsp; &nbsp;City Planning and Dangerous Buildings have been requested to the scene.&nbsp;No injuries have been reported from this incident. Red Cross has been requested to assist with 3 adults.

3 adults displaced after fire at home in Kansas City

By MARCIA DUNN &nbsp;AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An ailing astronaut returned to Earth with three others on Thursday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-spacewalk-postponed-1a6f794035be86582025c196f8f9e7b5">ending their space station mission</a>&nbsp;more than a month early in NASA’s first medical evacuation.

SpaceX guided the capsule to a middle-of-the-night splashdown in the Pacific near San Diego, less than 11 hours&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/spacex-nasa-astronauts-d90068c27fff2ed2438d1776e0632443">after the astronauts</a>&nbsp;exited the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nasa-spacex-contract-international-space-station-339c0b8313073fdf4d9fe22056f3d51c">International Space Station</a>.

“It’s so good to be home,” said NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, the capsule commander.

It was an unexpected finish to a mission that began in August and left the orbiting lab with only one American and two Russians on board. NASA and SpaceX said they would try to move up the launch of a fresh crew of four; liftoff is currently targeted for mid-February.

Cardman and NASA’s Mike Fincke were joined on the return by Japan’s Kimiya Yui and Russia’s Oleg Platonov. Officials have refused to identify the astronaut who developed the health problem last week or explain what happened, citing medical privacy.

While the astronaut was stable in orbit, NASA wanted them back on Earth as soon as possible to receive proper care and diagnostic testing. The entry and splashdown required no special changes or accommodations, officials said, and the recovery ship had its usual allotment of medical experts on board.

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