<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575928479287.png">Pike photo Wyandotte County KANSAS CITY, KAN. -&nbsp;A Kansas City, Kan., who barricaded himself in an apartment when police responded to a call of a domestic disturbance, was sentenced Monday to 94 months in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. Nikko D. Pike,&nbsp;38, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. In his plea, he admitted that on April 2, 2017, he was involved in a domestic disturbance with a woman. During the argument he discharged a .40-caliber Smith &amp; Wesson that required the victim to seek treatment in an emergency room at University of Kansas Medical Center. When officers arrived, they saw Pike with a gun protruding from his pocket. Pike barricaded himself in an apartment before surrendering to police. Police found the pistol hidden a child's bedroom closet. At the time of the crime, Pike was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a prior felony conviction. He was convicted in Wyandotte County District Court in 2009 on a charge of aggravated battery.

Police found Kan. felon's handgun hidden in child's closet

KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City Zoo is home for eight fluffy new macaroni penguin chicks.

Zookeepers are raising the chicks by hand, which includes giving each of them up to six feedings a day of a mixture of herring, krill and vitamins.

The food is working, as the chicks continue to gain weight, the zoo said. They averaged only 92 grams at birth but are gaining 10% to 15% of their body weight every day. They'll eventually grow to be about 10 pounds and 2 feet tall.

The chicks are expected to go on exhibit at the zoo in the next few weeks.

Macaroni penguins are listed as vulnerable to extinction. They get their name from the the bright yellow crest of feathers above their eyes because in the 18th century, a gentleman who wore flashy feathers in his cap was known as a “macaroni,” the zoo said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576020000789.png" alt="Photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Kansas City Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, MO. (AP) —&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;City Zoo is home for eight fluffy new macaroni penguin chicks.Zookeepers are raising the chicks by hand, which includes giving each of them up to six feedings a day of a mixture of herring, krill and vitamins.The food is working, as the chicks continue to gain weight, the zoo said. They averaged only 92 grams at birth but are gaining 10% to 15% of their body weight every day. They'll eventually grow to be about 10 pounds and 2 feet tall.The chicks are expected to go on exhibit at the zoo in the next few weeks.Macaroni penguins are listed as vulnerable to extinction. They get their name from the the bright yellow crest of feathers above their eyes because in the 18th century, a gentleman who wore flashy feathers in his cap was known as a “macaroni,” the zoo said.Zookeepers are raising the chicks by hand, which includes giving each of them up to six feedings a day of a mixture of herring, krill and vitamins.The food is working, as the chicks continue to gain weight, the zoo said. They averaged only 92 grams at birth but are gaining 10% to 15% of their body weight every day. They'll eventually grow to be about 10 pounds and 2 feet tall.The chicks are expected to go on exhibit at the zoo in the next few weeks.Macaroni penguins are listed as vulnerable to extinction. They get their name from the the bright yellow crest of feathers above their eyes because in the 18th century, a gentleman who wore flashy feathers in his cap was known as a “macaroni,” the zoo said.

8 macaroni penguins hatch at Kansas City Zoo

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — THE&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;State Board of Education is encouraging the state's local public school districts to prohibit vaping and to include staff and any visitors at school activities in the ban along with students.

The Kansas City Star reports that the board unanimously approved a policy Tuesday calling for districts to prohibit students and staff from using, possessing or promoting vape pens and other tobacco products on school property, in school vehicles or at activities.

The policy also calls for banning parents, volunteers, contractors and vendors from using tobacco products and e-cigarettes on school-owned property, in school vehicles and at school-sponsored activities, programs or events.

The federal Centers for Disease Control has linked vaping to almost 2,300 cases of lung injuries and nearly 50 deaths across the nation, including two in Kansas.

Many school Kansas districts already prohibit the use of e-cigarettes on school property. But Kansas Department of Education program consultant Mark Thompson told the board that he would be surprised if more than a handful of districts had as comprehensive a policy as the one it approved.

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — THE&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas">Kansas</a>&nbsp;State Board of Education is encouraging the state's local public school districts to prohibit vaping and to include staff and any visitors at school activities in the ban along with students.The Kansas City Star reports that the board unanimously approved a policy Tuesday calling for districts to prohibit students and staff from using, possessing or promoting vape pens and other tobacco products on school property, in school vehicles or at activities.The policy also calls for banning parents, volunteers, contractors and vendors from using tobacco products and e-cigarettes on school-owned property, in school vehicles and at school-sponsored activities, programs or events.The federal Centers for Disease Control has linked vaping to almost 2,300 cases of lung injuries and nearly 50 deaths across the nation, including two in Kansas.Many school Kansas districts already prohibit the use of e-cigarettes on school property. But Kansas Department of Education program consultant Mark Thompson told the board that he would be surprised if more than a handful of districts had as comprehensive a policy as the one it approved.

Kansas board urges schools to ban vaping, even for visitors

CONCORDIA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents are serving several search warrants as part of an investigation into the Cloud County Sheriff's Office.

KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said warrants were being served Tuesday at homes in Concordia and the Cloud County Law Enforcement Center.

The investigation began in June. Underwood said the investigation involves allegations of criminal misconduct against sheriff's office employees but no other details have been released.

No one has been arrested but Underwood said the serving of search warrants is a “significant development” in the case.

The Cloud County Jail is closed to visitors as a result of the investigation.

CONCORDIA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents are serving several search warrants as part of an investigation into the Cloud County Sheriff's Office.KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said warrants were being served Tuesday at homes in Concordia and the Cloud County Law Enforcement Center.The investigation began in June. Underwood said the investigation involves allegations of criminal misconduct against sheriff's office employees but no other details have been released.No one has been arrested but Underwood said the serving of search warrants is a “significant development” in the case.The Cloud County Jail is closed to visitors as a result of the investigation.

KBI serves warrants in Cloud County investigation

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — Two people were injured when an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle Tuesday in Independence.

The collision occurred shortly after Amtrak's Missouri River Runner, which travels between St. Louis and Kansas City, left the Independence station on the way to Kansas City, police said.

Witnesses told police the car's driver stopped briefly when the safety barriers came down over the crossing for a train to pass but then drove around the barriers and tried to outrun the train, Independence police Maj. Ed Turner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article238240219.html">told</a>&nbsp;The Kansas City Star.

The train hit the back of the car, which slid and hit another vehicle.

Turner said he did not know the condition of the two people injured in the crash.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the train was not seriously damaged and would continue on its route as soon as the tracks are cleared.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576024868136.png" alt="Tuesday accident scene photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday accident scene photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (AP) — Two people were injured when an Amtrak train collided with a vehicle Tuesday in Independence.The collision occurred shortly after Amtrak's Missouri River Runner, which travels between St. Louis and Kansas City, left the Independence station on the way to Kansas City, police said.Witnesses told police the car's driver stopped briefly when the safety barriers came down over the crossing for a train to pass but then drove around the barriers and tried to outrun the train, Independence police Maj. Ed Turner&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article238240219.html">told</a>&nbsp;The Kansas City Star.The train hit the back of the car, which slid and hit another vehicle.No one in the train was injured.Turner said he did not know the condition of the two people injured in the crash.Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said the train was not seriously damaged and would continue on its route as soon as the tracks are cleared.

Two injured after Amtrak train hits car near Kansas City

2nd deadly shooting outside Kan. motel this month

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575910168611.png">Skimmer found on a bank ATM in Salina in 2015 SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a skimmer was found Sunday on an ATM at Sunflower bank, 2450 South 9th in Salina over the weekend, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester Authorities urged people to check their accounts and report any suspicious activity to the police and the bank. Police are waiting for video from Sunflower Bank to see if they could determine who placed the skimmer on the ATM. ----------SALINA —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a skimmer was found on a bank ATM in Salina over the weekend, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. Police have not released the name of the bank or location. Check the post for for additional details as they become available.

Update: Card skimmer found on Sunflower Bank ATM in Salina

By John Hanna<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575500685589.png">(The UPS store Watkins lists as his mailing address-google image) TOPEKA, Kan. — A Kansas congressman who is being investigated by local authorities for listing a UPS Inc. store as his residence in registering to vote has changed his registration to name a Topeka apartment complex as his home. Republican Rep. Steve Watkins is still listing the UPS store in southwest Topeka as his mailing address after naming an apartment complex about 2 miles to the north as his residence in&nbsp;<a href="https://apdocs.inside.ap.org/documents/150764-new-watkins-registration-12-06-19.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 86, 135);">a registration form</a>&nbsp;dated Friday. The Associated Press obtained a copy Monday through an open records request filed with the Shawnee County election commissioner's office.Some Republicans in Watkins' eastern Kansas district already are trying to oust him. The freshman congressman faces a challenge in the GOP primary in August 2020 from State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, who jumped into the race after former GOP Gov. Jeff Colyer urged him to do so. The Shawnee County sheriff's department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6bfc7a9c9e7834cf4ccc03f60c6688ed" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 86, 135);">is investigating</a>&nbsp;whether Watkins broke state elections laws by listing the UPS store as his residence on a form he filed in late August and voting in the Nov. 5 election. Watkins' ballot included a City Council race, and the apartment complex is outside that council district.Watkins spokesman Dylan Jones has said listing the UPS store as Watkins' residence was an inadvertent mistake.His new registration form leaves blank a box for saying when the residence at the apartment complex was established, and Jones has not responded to messages from the AP seeking his move-in date. The form also doesn't list an apartment number. The sheriff's office did not immediately return a telephone message seeking an update on its investigation. It would turn its findings over to Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay. Both Kagay and Sheriff Brian Hill also are Republicans.

Kansas GOP lawmaker facing probe changes voter registration

<img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575930225538.png"> <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575930147504.png">Loretta Wilhelm&nbsp;and Joseph Ciavarella photo Cole Co. Sheriff JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A couple is accused of repeatedly locking a 9-year-old boy in a closet without food and water for hours at a time and only letting him out to eat in the mornings. Cole County authorities said Joseph Ciaveralla, 52, and Loretta Wilhelm, 34, of Columbia, were charged Saturday after an investigation by the Missouri Division of Family Support. Ciavarella is charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and Wilhelm is charged with abuse or neglect of a child.&nbsp;Ciavarella is the father of the child and Wilhelm is the man's fiancee. They were living together with five children.A probable cause statement said the abuse was believed to have occurred between Jan. 1, 2018, and Nov. 1.The state investigation led to the children being removed from the home.According to the statement, witnesses told investigators the child was once locked in the close for two days without food or water, and received only noodles and ravioli when he was allowed to eat.Ciavarella told authorities he didn't know about the alleged abuse because he worked nights. Wilhelm also denied the allegations.Online records don't identify lawyers for the two defendants.

Couple accused of locking child in a closet for hours

COWLEY COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are seeking any leads about several mail thefts that apparently occurred during the weekend in southwest Arkansas City. Just after 4a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to the 1200 block of South Sixth Street for a report of mail lying in the roadway, according to a media release. They found numerous pieces of mail belong to area residents at that location. Further investigation determined mail had been removed from mailboxes at seven area houses and some of the mail had been opened, as well. Arkansas City residents are encouraged to check the mail daily and report any suspicious activity. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Arkansas City Police Department at (620) 441-4444.