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 unit block of West Avenue B on the south side.

In 1913, John Dillon opened a Dillon Mercantile store at 318 N. Main, one of four already open in Sterling, Nickerson and Lyons.

In 1915, Dillon moved to Hutch and opened another store.

During World War I, his sons, Ray and Clyde, were serving in the military and John sold his interest to partners C.O. Mammel and Dave Theede.

By 1921, after the war, John, Ray and Clyde incorporated under the name of J.S. Dillon and Sons, and opened their first store at 13-15 W. Ave. B. The first photo shows that store right after opening.

The second photo shows the interior of store No. 1 about 1925 with all the staff.

In 1934, a new store No. 1 was built at 200 S. Main and this building was sold to Mammel's Grocery Co. The third photo shows the building when it was subdivided into Mammel's, auto parts and a feed store.

In 1955, Mammel's underwent an extensive remodel, turning it into a much larger supermarket. The fourth photo shows that market at opening.

After the Mammel's era, the stores were all sold off and this address became the Taylor Auction House. The fifth photo shows that era occupancy in 1975.

After that time frame, the building housed the NAPA Auto Parts store. The sixth photo shows that store in 2015.

The seventh photo shows the 13-15 W. Ave. B building today, now housing the Fair Price Clothing store with the property being owned by Wray Properties L.L.C.

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: Dillons No. 1 - Vol. 160

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

 The 18th Annual SHARE Haiti Benefit Dinner and Auction will be held Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7, at the Pleasantview Activity Center in south Hutchinson.

The event begins Friday with dinner served from 4:30 to 8 p.m., featuring a Haitian meal of rice, beans and chicken. Live a cappella singing by multiple groups will begin at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule includes waffles and sausage from 7 to 10 a.m., with the benefit auction starting at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served at 10:30 a.m. and will include burgers, fries, ice cream and more.

Proceeds from the fundraiser support SHARE Haiti’s mission work, including the La Semence School, which provides education and assistance to children and families in Haiti.

The event will be held at the Pleasantview Activity Center, 5015 S. Dean Road, about a quarter mile south of Stutzman Greenhouse. The benefit is sponsored by Prairie Chapel Mennonite Church and Cedar Crest Mennonite Church.

More information is available on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharehaiti">Facebook</a>.

SHARE Haiti Benefit Dinner and Auction this weekend

Hutchinson Noon Lions Club to Host Annual Pancake and Sausage Feed

The Hutchinson Noon Lions Club is inviting the community to enjoy a hearty breakfast while supporting local service projects during its annual Pancake and Sausage Feed.

The fundraiser will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Eastwood Church of Christ, located at 2500 North Plum. Guests are asked to use the north entrance. The facility is handicapped accessible.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Advance tickets are available at Bell Credit Union, 1601 North Lorraine, in Hutchinson.

Proceeds from the event will support the Hutchinson Noon Lions Club’s ongoing service efforts in the community. Organizers note the meal is a popular tradition and a chance for residents to enjoy a classic breakfast while backing local projects.

The Lions Club reminds attendees that the cost of the meal is not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.

Noon Lions Club to hold annual pancake and sausage feed

United Way of Reno County has officially reached its $1.35 million annual fundraising goal, securing funding that will support dozens of local programs and thousands of residents across the county in the year ahead.

Carla Stanfield, director of marketing and communications, said the milestone carries extra significance as families and service organizations continue to feel the strain of rising grocery, utility and housing costs.

“People are feeling the pinch right now,” Stanfield said. “But our community still showed up.”

She credited the organization’s flexible giving model for helping donors at every income level participate. While businesses and large contributors play a key role, many gifts come from small payroll deductions — sometimes as little as one dollar per paycheck.

“We offer an opportunity for anyone at any level to be charitable,” Stanfield said. “Not everyone can write a check with a couple zeros at the end, but they still want to give back. Those smaller gifts really add up.”

The funds will be distributed to 37 programs across more than 20 partner agencies, serving nearly 19,000 residents throughout Reno County. Programs address needs across the lifespan, including youth services, health care, crisis support and financial stability.

Stanfield emphasized that United Way closely tracks how those dollars are used. Agencies must provide detailed reports outlining the number of people served and the impact of services delivered.

“We ask for a year recap, and this last season we started asking for quarterly reports,” she said. “We want to know what those dollars are really doing in the community.”

With the fundraising campaign complete, the organization now shifts into its allocations phase — a process Stanfield says sets United Way apart.

Rather than staff members deciding how funding is distributed, volunteers from the community help determine where the money goes.

“This isn’t just a couple of us in the office making those decisions,” Stanfield said. “We open it up to the community to put their name in the hat and serve on one of our panels.”

Volunteers choose from four focus areas — youth opportunity, healthy community, community resiliency and financial security. Panelists review applications, examine budgets and interview agency leaders before recommending funding levels.

At the end of the process, each committee determines how dollars are dispersed within its category.

Stanfield described the system as a transparent, hands-on approach that ensures donor dollars are invested wisely and locally.

For more information on serving on an allocations panel or learning more about the process, contact the United Way of Reno County.&nbsp;

United Way of Reno County meets $1.35M goal, community-led allocation process next

The Cosmosphere is sharing an important update regarding its Artemis II Launch Watch Party following NASA’s announcement that the Artemis II mission has shifted to a March launch window between March 6th and March 11th. The new earliest launch opportunity is March 6 at 7:29 PM, pending final mission readiness and weather conditions.

Artemis II will be the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, sending four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and marking humanity’s return to deep space for the first time in more than 50 years. The Cosmosphere plans to host its Launch Watch Party to align with NASA’s confirmed launch attempt once the final date and time are set.

The Launch Watch Party will feature live NASA coverage, interactive and hands-on activities, concessions, and an engaging, space-filled atmosphere for guests of all ages. The evening will also include a special presentation by John Mulnix, JPL/NASA Solar System Ambassador, titled “Countdown to Artemis II,” offering insight into the mission and its role in the future of lunar exploration.

VIP tickets for this event are currently sold out. Guests interested in joining the VIP waitlist may email <a href="MAITTO:tristyng@cosmo.org">tristyng@cosmo.org</a> for availability updates and additional information.

As with all spaceflight events, launch schedules remain subject to change due to mission readiness, weather, or technical considerations. The Cosmosphere will continue to provide updates as NASA confirms additional details and encourages guests to follow official Cosmosphere communication channels as the March launch window approaches. The Cosmosphere looks forward to welcoming the community to celebrate this historic mission and witness a major milestone in space exploration together.

Artemis II launch pushed back to March, Cosmosphere watch party follows

The American Red Cross urges people to&nbsp;take action&nbsp;now to help offset the severe impact of recent winter storms on efforts to rebuild the&nbsp;blood&nbsp;supply during an ongoing&nbsp;blood&nbsp;shortage. Donors of all&nbsp;blood&nbsp;types are asked to make a&nbsp;blood&nbsp;or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.&nbsp;

Over&nbsp;500&nbsp;blood&nbsp;drives have been canceled&nbsp;since&nbsp;the beginning of the year,&nbsp;causing&nbsp;more than&nbsp;20,000&nbsp;blood&nbsp;and platelet donations&nbsp;to go uncollected.&nbsp;In addition to the disruption of&nbsp;blood&nbsp;drives,&nbsp;dangerous weather conditions&nbsp;have also made it tougher to transport vital&nbsp;blood&nbsp;products, which could potentially affect deliveries to hospitals in some locations.  &nbsp;

Patient care is at risk&nbsp;—&nbsp;donors in unaffected areas are asked to&nbsp;book an appointment to give&nbsp;blood&nbsp;now by using the&nbsp;Blood&nbsp;Donor App, visiting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszcFu6yAQheGngR0WDBiGBYts8hoRMOPYuvZ1CrSR-vSVq26_o6OfEmB12ktOJgRtgtMR5ZqoLjEY1rZiIQ8BqzPRZO80so28yC35iFA8WizG5ocxOmeDzkddWDjdN-J_24c68rZz62qefXEzUlnU-H79b9M1yD2tY7y6sDcBdwH39_s9Nabazt7Lfp40ne0p4C4Ppi2rxjvnzmqj9AuPPxD2BmA1aNnS-jnq-jr7EE4_r8hUz0P20ZiP61gRQwxLUQGJlAsIKleLysBSyVim2bL8SvATAAD__18sVsA">RedCrossBlood.org</a>&nbsp;or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).&nbsp;Those in areas facing extreme winter weather are asked to give when it’s safe to do so.&nbsp;All who come to give Jan. 26-Feb. 28, 2026, will&nbsp;receive a $20 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. See&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://us.cisionone.cision.com/c/eJwszkuO6yAQheHVwAwLChvKAwaZeBsRj3KwLg6-QCdSr76VVk-_oyP9yQHGWRpOTlkrlZ3lijy7oMnItAezwC6jQiOTtrhbi0qRXpAfzqwIwaDGoLS_KyW9VzibVQZis-xHon_Hf3H6o1DrYllMmBdMYRfj-3q26TPw4vIYV2f6xmBjsL3f76lRiq32HkqtaartwWArNfoicj3p8g9isNGLnqMz2DL5NqY8zsJPSocXjQr5TuJI7hfuf8D0DUBLkLy5_DVivmofbJaPT8gU68n7aETn5xgR7Wr3ICymJGaLIHzUKBTsMSlNadHEXw5-AgAA___mfWOf">RedCrossBlood.org/Heart</a>&nbsp;for details.&nbsp;

Shortfalls in&nbsp;blood&nbsp;and platelet donations caused by recent winter storms are putting further strain on the national&nbsp;blood&nbsp;supply, forcing some hospitals to cancel elective procedures due to&nbsp;blood&nbsp;product shortages.&nbsp;When supplies are critically low, trauma surgeons and other doctors face the real possibility that&nbsp;blood&nbsp;could run out when it’s needed most. Now is&nbsp;the time to&nbsp;give&nbsp;blood&nbsp;before doctors&nbsp;have&nbsp;to&nbsp;face difficult decisions about which patients can safely move forward with treatment, and who will&nbsp;need to wait.&nbsp;

Reno County Hutchinson 2/11/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Clayworks, 1125 N Main Street 2/10/2026: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Hutchinson Community College Student Union, 1300 N Plum St 2/20/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, 1701 East 23rd 2/25/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Prairieland Partners, 1800 S. Lorraine

Harvey County Halstead 2/9/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Halstead Baptist Church, 525 Harvey St 2/18/2026: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gardenview Mennonite Church, 11626 NW 36th Street

Newton 2/25/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Salem United Methodist Church, 115 Old Main Street 2/26/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Salem United Methodist Church, 115 Old Main Street

Sedgwick 3/5/2026: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sedgwick High School, 400 W. 4th

McPherson County Inman 2/13/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Peters United Church of Christ, 111 N Pine

Lindsborg 3/3/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bethany College - Wallerstedt Library, 235 E Swensson Ave

Mc Pherson 2/11/2026: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., McPherson College, 1600 Euclid 2/19/2026: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., McPherson High School, 801 E. 1st

Moundridge 2/26/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pine Village Wellness Center, 86 22nd Ave

Pratt County Pratt 2/20/2026: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Pratt First United Methodist Church, 100 N Jackson St

Rice County Lyons 3/3/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Faith Bible Church, 102 S Coronado St

Sterling 2/23/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 137 N. Broadway

Stafford County St John 2/20/2026: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stafford County Annex, 210 E 3rd Ave

Red Cross: 20K donations uncollected due to winter storms, give blood now 

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. ——————————————

Michael	Don	Appel		2/4/2026 4:09&nbsp;PM	Worthless Checks; Less than $1,000,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Worthless Checks; $1,000 to $24,999

Marjorie	Arbell	Kite		2/4/2026 6:11&nbsp;PM	Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Daily Bookings

Residents will have two opportunities to learn more and ask questions about the upcoming city sales tax ballot measure as the City of Hutchinson prepares for the March 3, 2026 election.

City officials are hosting public information meetings at Memorial Hall on:

Both sessions will feature the same presentation and will be held at the same location.

According to the city, staff will walk attendees through what will appear on the ballot, why a city sales tax is being considered, and how the proposal was developed. The goal is to provide residents with clear, factual information ahead of the vote.

Community members will also be able to submit questions during the meetings, with answers provided by city staff and elected officials.

The meetings are open to the public, and residents can attend either date to learn more before casting their ballots in March.

Hutchinson to host public meetings on March 3 city sales tax question

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

Three-day Outlook

By SEJAL GOVINDARAO, JACQUES BILLEAUD and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie's</a>&nbsp;brother on Thursday renewed the family's plea for their mother's kidnapper to contact them, hours after an Arizona sheriff said investigators don't have proof&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;is alive but believe “she's still out there.”

“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you. We haven’t heard anything directly,” Camron Guthrie said in a video posted on social media.

“We need you to reach out and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward,” but first the family needs to know the kidnapper has their mother, he said, echoing a statement his famous sister read the day before.

Five days into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">desperate search</a>&nbsp;for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said.

Authorities think she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-6c7b78d17d7b647c64f71f64ecaecf8b">taken against her will</a>&nbsp;from her home in Tucson over the weekend. DNA tests showed blood found on Guthrie’s front porch was a match to her, the sheriff said.

“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference earlier Thursday. He acknowledged, however, that authorities have no evidence she’s OK.

Investigators said they are taking seriously notes seeking ransom that were sent to some media outlets.

It's unclear if all of the notes were identical. Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, said details included a demand for money with a Thursday evening deadline and a second deadline for Monday if the first one wasn't met. At least one note mentioned a floodlight at Guthrie's home and an Apple watch, Janke said.

“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.

At least three media organizations reported receiving purported ransom notes, which they handed over to investigators. Authorities made an arrest after one ransom note turned out to be fake, the sheriff said.

A note e-mailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN.

“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said.

The sheriff said it’s possible Nancy Guthrie was targeted, but if she was, investigators don’t know if that’s because her daughter is one of television’s most visible anchors.

Authorities say any decision on whether to fulfill ransom demands ultimately is up to the family.

A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">message to her mother’s kidnapper</a>, saying they are ready to talk but want proof their mom is still alive. There's been no response to their pleas so far.

Investigators gave a more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-nancy-adaa8af43efe04c252a52616d9037a05">detailed timeline</a>&nbsp;from the hours after Nancy Guthrie was last seen Saturday night. She was eating dinner and playing games with family members before one of them dropped her off at her home in a upscale neighborhood that sits on hilly, desert terrain, the sheriff said.

About four hours later, just before 2 a.m. Sunday, the home’s doorbell camera was disconnected, Nanos said. But Guthrie did not have an active subscription, so the doorbell company was unable to recover any footage.

Software data recorded movement at the home minutes later, the sheriff said, acknowledging that the motion could have come from an animal.

Then at 2:28 a.m. the app on Guthrie’s pacemaker was disconnected from her phone.

Guthrie&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">was reported missing</a>&nbsp;shortly before noon Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.

While she is able to drive and her mind is sharp, the sheriff said she has difficulty walking even short distances. She also requires daily medicine that's vital to her health, he has said.

A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.broadcastify.com/">broadcastify.com</a>.

Investigators searched in and around Guthrie’s home again for several hours Wednesday.

Authorities are bringing more resources and people into the investigation, and the FBI announced Thursday it was offering up to $50,000 for information. A day earlier, President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can.

Savannah Guthrie has hosted “Today” — NBC’s flagship morning show — for more than a decade and had been set to co-anchor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-olympics-host-nbc-mary-carillo-94c13d18ac30129cc37e6990ac2c31f1">the network’s coverage</a>&nbsp;of Friday’s opening ceremony for the Winter Olympics. For now, she's staying close to her mother's home.

She joined her two siblings in an emotional plea on social media Wednesday to say they're ready to talk to whoever sent the ransom notes.

“We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us,” she said while fighting off tears.

With her voice cracking, she addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her. She was flanked by Camron and their sister, Annie.

“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.

This story has been corrected to show that the sheriff said it’s possible Nancy Guthrie was targeted, not that investigators have believed from the beginning that she was targeted.

Billeaud reported from Phoenix and Seewer from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press writers Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed.

🎥'Today' show host's family renews plea to mother's kidnapper

KANSAS CITY—A driver injured in an accident just after 10:30a.m. Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri has died.

According to KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino, a blue Jeep Cherokee was&nbsp; westbound on 43rd and entered the intersection at Paseo from a stop sign. A northbound white Chevrolet Equinox traveling at a high rate of speed struck the Jeep. The Jeep rolled and the driver was ejected from the vehicle. 

The driver of the Jeep was transported to a local hospital with critical injuries. The front seat passenger of the Jeep was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet was uninjured in the collision.

Police were notified the driver of the Jeep was pronounced deceased by hospital staff on Thursday morning, according to DiMartino.

&nbsp;The investigation, to include suspected impairment of the Chevrolet driver, is ongoing.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is fatality #6 compared to #5 at this time last year in Kansas City, Missouri.

KCPD: Driver dies days after crash with suspected impaired driver

On Thursday, at the direction of U.S. Southern Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations, according to a social media report from the U.S. Southern Command.

Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. 

Two narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed.&nbsp; This is the second deadly strike since the&nbsp;raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. On January 23, the U.S. carried out a deadly strike on a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

&nbsp;The Department of War released no additional details.

🎥 US carries out another deadly strike on a drug boat 

KANSAS CITY —Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced multiple felony charges against a Kansas City man in connection with a shooting that killed one and injured another at a fast-food restaurant.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com/DocumentCenter/View/2804/Watson-Joseph-PC--Complaint">Joseph H. Watson</a>, 22,&nbsp;faces 2nd Degree Felony Murder, three counts of Armed Criminal Action, one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and one count of 1st Degree Assault.

According to court records, Kansas City police responded to a restaurant on a reported shooting on Jan. 31, and located the first victim in the parking lot, suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. He was transported to a nearby hospital and is in stable condition. Officers located the second victim unresponsive on the floor inside the restaurant and was declared deceased.&nbsp;

Based on surveillance video from inside the restaurant, the first victim left his backpack on a table to speak with an employee at the counter. Watson, dressed in a red hood and black coat, and another unknown individual arrived at the restaurant and sat down at a table next to the first victim’s items. 

The first victim went back to his table and appeared to be looking for something and then asked an employee to call his phone. Shortly after, Watson started arguing with the first victim and appeared to be clutching something in his coat. Watson walked past the first victim, hit him in the face, and pulled out a rifle, pointing it at the first victim.&nbsp;

Watson then brought the gun down and started walking out of the restaurant. The first victim continued to yell at Watson and approached him. Watson spit on the first victim, who spit back at him. The defendant fired one shot, striking the first victim in the cheek. The bullet traveled through the first victim’s cheek and struck the second victim, who was standing at the counter.&nbsp;

Detectives connected Watson to the crime scene through surveillance footage and information he provided a nearby business for a rewards program.&nbsp;

A search warrant was executed for Watson’s residence and detectives found a red hoodie in his room matching the description from surveillance video.&nbsp;

A Jackson County judge set Waatson's bond to $250,000 cash only.&nbsp;

Police: Info for rewards program linked suspect to KC restaurant killing

On Thursday, the FBI arrested Derrick Callella in Hawthorne, California, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Callella has been charged via a criminal complaint filed in federal court for transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/media/1426976/dl?inline">Click here to read the criminal_complaint</a>

“The Department of Justice will protect victims and families at all costs, and grief profiteers will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “This case came together in under 24 hours because of the coordinated work of the FBI, local law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.”

“To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke.

A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Man accused of being ransom note ‘imposter’ in Nancy Guthrie case

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a woman for alleged identity theft crimes.

On February 4, police arrested 35-year-old Amber R. Mierkey of Atchison, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson. She was jailed on a District Court warrant on requested charges that include computer crimes, criminal use of a financial card and theft. 

These charges are in connection to a case in May 2022 when information from a financial card was taken from a 31-year-old victim in St. Joseph and used to make five separate purchases at an Atchison retail store totaling $169.50.&nbsp; &nbsp;She met the requirement for bond and is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Kan. woman accused of shopping with stolen credit card information

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH Associated Press

Jurors have awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after he was held facedown for 39 minutes in a juvenile intake center while in the throes of a mental health crisis.

Five juvenile officers in Sedgwick County either used excessive force on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cj-lofton-mental-health-crisis-48a306275d2cbe19da6539e0a4eb6563">Cedric “C.J.” Lofton</a>&nbsp;or failed to intervene, the jurors decided Wednesday after a trial in federal court in Wichita.

John Marrese, an attorney for Lofton’s brother and the estate, said Thursday that he was pleased that jurors rejected arguments that the death stemmed from “excited delirium,” a controversial diagnosis discredited by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/excited-delirium-police-deaths-acep-4760e3cbed181503a2ac747ed5afeef6">major medical associations</a>. Critics say it was often used to justify excessive force by police.

“It’s a good development in the world of prolonged prone restraint in terms of a jury acknowledging how dangerous it is and the fact that it can be fatal,” Marrese said.

Sedgwick County, which employed the officers named in the suit, said in a news release Wednesday that it was reviewing the verdict and discussing next steps.

Lofton died in a hospital on Sept. 26, 2021, just one day before his 18th birthday.

The final autopsy declared his death a homicide. But Marc Bennett, the district attorney, said in the months that followed that the state’s “stand-your-ground” law prevented him from pursuing charges of involuntary manslaughter because staff members were protecting themselves.

Lofton's mental health deteriorated after he traveled to Texas for his grandmother's funeral, with the teen telling a foster brother that he thought his classmates were murderous robots, Bennett wrote in a report.

Lofton's foster father drove him to a mental health provider, but the teen ran off. When Lofton returned home at 1 a.m. the following day, the foster father called Wichita police, the report said.

Officers then spent nearly an hour trying to persuade Lofton to let them take him to a mental hospital, body camera video showed. But the 5-foot-10, 135-pound (1.7-meter, 61-kilogram) teenager refused to budge.

Ultimately, officers decided to take him forcibly, restraining him in something called the WRAP, a device comprised of a locking shoulder harness, leg restraints and ankle straps.

A sergeant then determined he was too combative to go to the hospital, so officers transported him to the Sedgwick County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center instead, the report showed.

After the WRAP restraint was removed, Lofton&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-wichita-72306786c90addb96280d1738d931ad8">scuffled</a>&nbsp;with staff, who shackled Lofton’s ankles and put him on his stomach on the floor. Paramedics rushed to the facility after staff noticed he wasn't breathing, but he died two days later.

Jury awards millions to Kan. family for in-custody death of teen at juvenile center

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City after a decision by the medical examiner's office.

Just after 3:30a.m. on July 3, 2025, police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Woodland in Kansas City, Missouri, on a reported sound of shots call.&nbsp; As officers arrived, they located an adult male victim, later identified as 63-year-old&nbsp;Randy D. McKinney, suffering from unknown trauma, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. McKinney was transported to a local hospital with what were considered life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Assault Squad detectives responded and began conducting an investigation.&nbsp; On July 14, investigators received information McKinney died of his injuries, but it could not be determined at the time of death if it was a homicide. However, members of the KCPD Homicide Unit took over the case until an official determination could be made by medical examiners.

Last week, homicide detectives received information from the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office that the manner of death has been ruled a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma.

&nbsp;The homicide total reflected in the Daily Homicide Analysis for 2025 will change from 138 to 139.

Medical examiner: Man's death in July in KC was a homicide

SEDGWICK COUNTY —On Thursday morning, the Sedgwick County Zoo reported a&nbsp;wild bird showing potential signs of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) had been found on zoo grounds, according to the a social media report from the zoo.

The zoo sent samples out for conclusive testing.

Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of their birds, the zoo is increasing their HPAI biosecurity protocols while awaiting the final results.

What this means for your visit: The Australia/South America walk-through habitat is temporarily closed

 Flamingos, storks, cranes, and penguins will not be visible as often. 

"The health and safety of our animals is always our top priority. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. We appreciate your understanding and support as we prioritize animal welfare."

Signs of bird flu reported at zoo in Kansas 

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie</a>&nbsp;is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-nancy-042abd04a6d87e14eecb22f0bc2893d1">Nancy Guthrie</a>&nbsp;’s porch came back a match to her. Authorities think she was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-0d6b55fd24f54b2526fd5f8894a52ff2">taken from her home</a>&nbsp;in Tucson against her will over the weekend.

“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.

A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released an emotional&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">message to her 84-year-old mother’s kidnapper</a>, but there has been no public sign of a response.

Savannah Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants proof their mom is still alive. In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media Wednesday, she acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter.

“We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” Savannah Guthrie said while reading from a prepared statement. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”

She was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mother-missing-arizona-tucson-74d845b070fefe2d94cb92d655308e91">She was reported missing</a>&nbsp;about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.

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