&nbsp;As of 5p.m. the eastbound lanes remained closed between Colby and Oakley. Westbound lanes were opened from WaKeeney to Colorado state line and eastbound lanes are open at Oakley

Interstate 70 is closed in both directions between Colby and Oakley, extending to WaKeeney due to high winds and blowing dust causing reduced visibility.

Vehicle crashes blocking the roadway are also part of the closure.

High Wind and Red Flag Warnings are in effect through the afternoon across much of northwest Kansas. Motorists are advised to consider delaying non-essential travel if possible.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.kandrive.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0101019c6d2c8df6-0638a7d6-ac7f-4643-bdf5-2cbdbc567602-000000/94Kw5yb63L8KkrnqJ9WiJz13sFtIyfg6qrGkYpNqD08=444">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

KDOT: I-70 now open in both directions after dust storm

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Manhattan man on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, police arrested 48-year-old Scott Marchand, 48, of Manhattan, in the 100 block of Courthouse Plaza, according to the Riley Police Department activity report.&nbsp;

He was booked into jail on requested charges that include use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, possession of substance in KSA 65-4105(h), distribution or possess with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school (&gt;100 grams); distribute or possess with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school (3.5-&lt;100 grams), distribute certain stimulant (3.5-&lt;100 grams) within 1000 feet of a school, distribute or possess with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia for illegal use, and possession of marijuana. Marchand met the requirement of a $125,000 bond and is no longer in custody.

RCPD: Alleged fentanyl dealer arrested in Manhattan

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Riley County Arrest Report February 18

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management has staffed the State Emergency Operations Center with Emergency Support Function partners from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Kansas Forest Service, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Transportation, and the National Weather Service in response to wildland fire threats across the state.

Blowing winds and possible wildfires are expected to continue this evening and into Wednesday. Motorists are advised to delay traveling as much as possible and to not drive into dust where visibility is restricted. Do not go into areas where active fires are being fought. Give emergency crews time and space to work.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is working alongside partner agencies in Southwest and Northwest Kansas to support wildfire response efforts through emergency response, evacuation assistance, traffic control, enforcement of safety closures, and securing affected areas. For emergencies, continue to dial *47(HP) while traveling on Kansas roadways, or *KTA (582) if traveling on the Kansas Turnpike."

The Kansas Department of Transportation closed portions of I-70 in northwest Kansas and U.S. 50 in southwest Kansas at times today that could continue tonight due to reduced visibility from blowing dust which has caused several crashes. &nbsp;Similar conditions and multiple crashes have also occurred in Colorado and Oklahoma and have closed highways. KDOT has sent water tenders to support fire suppression efforts in the Englewood and Ashland communities.

For the latest updates on road closures and conditions, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://kandrive.gov/">kandrive.gov</a>, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal has sent an agent and the State Fire Marshal to Southwest Kansas to assist local responders. An agent will be sent to Northwest Kansas later today. Task Forces have been sent to different locations across the state. The Task Forces are from Johnson County, Sedgwick County, Dickinson County, Shawnee County and the Kansas National Guard.

Kansas Forest Service personnel are assisting with the wildfire outbreak in Kansas by providing subject-matter-expertise to local fire departments actively engaged in wildfire suppression operations which assist in determining priorities for limited resources statewide.

The Kansas National Guard has deployed a wildfire task force to western Kansas to help with fire suppression.

The American Red Cross is assisting counties impacted with mass care and human service’s needs.

Kansas Division of Emergency Management provides wildfire update

RILEY COUNTY —Four people were injured in an alleged domestic violence incident on Valentine's Day in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a 43-year-old woman, a 24-year-old woman a 7-year-old boy and a 2-month-old girl were listed as victims of the incident.&nbsp; a 29-year-old male was listed as the suspect. 

Police arrested 29-year-old Tyrell Harper of Manhattan on requested charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated intimidation of a witness/victim, theft, battery, criminal damage to property, and endangering a child. 

Harper is being held on a $75,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

Manhattan man accused of Valentine's Day violence

RILEY COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Friday in Manhattan.

According to the Riley County Police Department activity report, a bicyclist, Austin Rowzer, 32, of Manhattan, crashed into a 2006 Hyundai Sonata, driven by Asia Arceneaux, 24, of Manhattan&nbsp;at the intersection of Fort Riley Blvd and S 10th Street in Manhattan.

Riley County EMS transported&nbsp;Rowzer to Via Christi Hospital for treatment of major injuries.

Manhattan man hospitalized after bicycle crash into car

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Riley County Arrest Report February 17

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVCE SAID A RED FLAG WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY, AND DRY FUELS FOR
ALL OF NORTH CENTRAL KS AND PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST TODY&nbsp; FROM NOON TO 9 P.M. from noon today to 9 PM CST.

AFFECTED AREA includes Riley, Clay, Washington, Marshall, Cloud, Ottawa and Dickinson counties.

&nbsp;WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* 

RELATIVE HUMIDITY...20 to 25 percent.

* TEMPERATURES...75-80 degrees.&nbsp;

Red Flag warning will be in effect Tuesday

MANHATTAN, KS&nbsp;– The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF) has announced its upcoming&nbsp;Annual Meeting &amp; Community Foundation Awards (CFA’s)&nbsp;event on&nbsp;Monday, March 23, 2026, at the&nbsp;Manhattan Conference Center. The evening will begin with a&nbsp;social at 5:30 pm, followed by&nbsp;dinner at 6:00 pm, and the&nbsp;awards show at 7:15 pm. Tickets are available for&nbsp;$50 per person&nbsp;or&nbsp;$400 for a table of eight.

This event will celebrate and recognize the impact of several individuals, businesses, and organizations that have made a difference in the community through philanthropy and service.

Celebrating Philanthropy &amp; Community Impact

The&nbsp;Community Foundation Awards, launched in 2014 as part of GMCF’s Annual Meeting, to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations dedicated to enhancing the well-being of the community.

Community Foundation Awards:&nbsp;Rising Star Volunteer, Distinguished Volunteer, Civic Philanthropy, Business Philanthropy, and Philanthropist of the Year.

With over&nbsp;600 attendees, the CFA event is one of the most well-attended gatherings in the Manhattan area, bringing together community leaders, donors, and nonprofit organizations to celebrate philanthropy and service.

Sponsorship opportunities are now available. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Mitzi Richards at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mitzir@mcfks.org">mitzir@mcfks.org</a>.

To reserve your seat, please visit:&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gl8hgejab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001umyayPRubSh9FYAxjUIN7RlvfsvLjiV35YOvk3zKjv5ZeOAcaqcNHMZ9EYQmdFDcfLH5VFm1qFYXH4f__vpFcZ4uS2Xxh4DAaQVvbAVQpB6Sq9qvu-qzXgiIZ4wwRuVU6AIk--mfZygWGdJ8UOVqQIsYlrKDzopJu5V331oPytk=&amp;c=UA-ag0taKi3diyntvMdMMa4SQdAnAg9ctpXUtEH2fRFtcX3N4I3Fug==&amp;ch=Y8VQ1RrKeoOtY3roNO8WXHr8txiEX25SNXzgYy91GrBGv_C_jAjADg==">https://www.mcfks.org/reserve-your-seat</a>.

Greater Manhattan Community Foundation Annual Meeting & Awards

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;

Riley County Arrest Report February 16

DICKINSON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Sunday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005&nbsp;Rendezvous SUV driven by Colleen M. Taylor, 70, Junction City, was northbound on Union Road just north of Kansas 244, approximately 5 miles West of Junction City. The SUV crossed the roadway, traveled off the roadway into the west ditch and collided with a tree line.

EMS transported Taylor to KU Medical Center. She was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Junction City woman hospitalized after SUV strikes trees

KANSAS CITY —One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Tuesday in Kansas City.

A silver Nissan Altima was eastbound on Interstate 70 approaching Stadium Drive in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The driver failed to stop for congested traffic ahead. The Nissan Altima rear-ended a black Nissan full-size van, resulting in a four-vehicle collision. 

Two individuals were transported to an area hospital with critical injuries. EMS pronounced one passenger deceased at the scene. This is fatality #9 in KCMO in 2026, according to Gonzalez.

Police released no additional details including the name of the victims.

KCPD: One dead after 4-vehicle I-70 crash

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/"></a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/12/29/kansan-returns-to-the-catholic-church-as-the-states-first-woman-priest/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Cellphones are one step closer to disappearing from Kansas classrooms after the House passed a bill that would require a daytime device ban to public and private schools.

Social connection, phone addiction and parental choice came into play in an hours-long debate Monday that involved Republicans and Democrats crossing the aisle to ultimately support a bill that would apply to public and private schools.

The bipartisan ban proposes a bell-to-bell prohibition on cellphone use, requiring schools to craft detailed policies to ensure devices are turned off and stored away during the school day and to enact disciplinary measures for students who violate a ban.

A cascade of changes as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb281/" target="_blank">House Substitute for Senate Bill 281</a>&nbsp;made its way through committee resulted in a bill that only mandated a ban in public schools and merely suggested one for private schools.

Republican Rep. Jill Ward of Wichita added a provision Monday to apply the mandate to both public and nonpublic schools. The bill itself drew mixed reactions from each party, and so did Ward’s amendment.

​​“These kids’ lives are just as negatively impacted by phones as those that attend public schools,” Ward said.

Students wouldn’t be allowed under the bill to use cellphones or other electronic communication devices, smartwatches and earbuds during the school day, which includes passing period and lunch time, unless the student is allowed to leave school grounds during lunch.

Rep. Kristey Williams, an Augusta Republican, said private schools should receive the same funding as public schools if the same rules must apply. She said she agreed with the need to address devices and their connection to mental health issues in children, but she said the bill, with Ward’s amendment, would be equivalent to a de facto state operation of private, religious schools.

She said many parents choose private schools because they don’t want to deal with state mandates.

Ward’s amendment passed with 68 voting in favor and 55 against.

Some Democrats opposed the bill entirely, favoring phones in school in the event of emergencies such as natural disasters or school shootings. Others didn’t think a one-size-fits-all policy was appropriate for schools with unique needs.

Rep. Carolyn Caiharr, a Republican from Edwardsville, attempted to strip the bill, re-adding language to make bans optional for private schools.

Some, like Republican Rep. Sean Tarwater of Stilwell, were torn. He said Monday that he couldn’t support Caiharr’s amendment, arguing that all children matter.

“In my opinion, children are children, mental health is mental health and suicide is suicide, no matter what school you go to,” Tarwater said. “Are we trying to help some children or all children here?”

Caiharr said Kansas has a long tradition of respecting educational diversity and removing private schools from the bill maintains that tradition.

Sixty seven representatives opposed her amendment, and 54 voted in favor, retaining the inclusion of private and public schools. The House voted on the bill Tuesday with 76 in favor and 45 against, forwarding it to the Senate.

The Senate unanimously passed a previous version of the bill, which applied to both public and private schools, but it must vote again in the wake of House changes.

Rep. Angela Martinez, a Wichita Democrat, said Tuesday a phone-free school day restores focus and encourages relationship building. Rep. Steven Howe, a Salina Republican, said a cellphone ban restores human connection and slackens the grip big tech companies have exercised over kids’ attention.

Rep. Samantha Poetter Parshall, a Paola Republican, said the bill leaves students helpless, eliminating a tool used to document bullying and removing a piece of parents’ rights.

Williams said Tuesday decisions for private school students should be up to parents and individual schools, not the state.

“This bill opens a door we should keep closed,” she said.

Kansas cellphone ban applying to both public and private schools clears House 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp;Zachary Ramirez, 22, was sentenced on Tuesday for the July 2023 shooting deaths of two people in an Old Town parking garage in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

During a hearing before Chief Judge Jeffrey Goering, Ramirez was sentenced to two consecutive "hard 25" life sentences. He also received 61 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections and six months in jail for additional counts, to be served concurrently with the life sentences.

In Kansas, a "hard 25" sentence is a mandatory life term that requires a defendant to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Because the court ordered the sentences to be served consecutively, Ramirez must serve at least 50 years before he is eligible for release.

The sentencing follows an April 2024 trial in which a Sedgwick County jury convicted Ramirez of several charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, two alternative counts of second-degree murder, criminal discharge of a weapon, aggravated battery, and two counts of battery. The case had been pending sentencing while the court considered the outcome of several post-trial motions.

The charges stem from an incident on July 27, 2023. At approximately 4 a.m., Wichita police responded to a parking garage in the 300 block of North Moore after a street sweeper operator discovered two victims inside a vehicle. Josephina Lerma-Dominguez, 20, and Bryan Lara-Hernandez, 21, both of Wichita, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators used surveillance footage and the FLOCK license plate reader system to identify and apprehend Ramirez shortly after the shooting.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney Jason Roach and Senior Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Jameson.

"We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Wichita Police Department for their thorough and diligent work on this investigation," the District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. "Their commitment to the case ensured that justice could be served for the victims and their families."

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man convicted&nbsp; of killing two people in a parking garage in&nbsp;Old Town in Wichita is scheduled to learn his fate Tuesday.

&nbsp;Zachary Ramirez, 21, will appear at a sentencing hearing in Judge Jeffry Goering's courtroom, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In April of 2024, a jury found him guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, two alternative counts of second-degree murder, criminal discharge of a weapon, aggravated battery and two counts of battery in the deaths of 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita, according to the district attorney's office.

Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, 2023, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

EMS&nbsp; arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures Lerma-Dominguez and Lara-Hernandez died at the scene.&nbsp;

Maximum sentence for killing Kansas couple in parking garage

CLARK COUNTY— The wild fire in southwest Kansas is contained but not out, according to Clark County Attorney Clay Kuhns. Approximately 150,000 acres have burned and the fire continues along the state line in Clark County.&nbsp; Two injured firefighter were transported to Wichita for treatment, according to Kuhns.

Earlier Wednesday, evacuation orders for residents in Englewood and Ashland were lifted.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Tuesday night, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and his team traveled to Ashland to deliver water and thank first responders for their work protecting homes, ranches, and livestock.

2 firefighters injured fighting southwest Kansas wildfire 

SEWARD COUNTY —Liberal, Kansas, took the gold medal. Hannah McCarter secured victory in the 2026 International Pancake Day Race

&nbsp;McCarter crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 1:03.78, according to a media release from the International Pancake Day social media page.

This year’s competition was a trans-Atlantic showdown between Liberal, Kansas, and Olney, England. While Olney’s top runner finished with a strong time of 1:05, it wasn’t enough to catch McCarter, who led Liberal to another historic victory.

With this latest win, Liberal continues to dominate the long-standing international rivalry:

🎥Kansas wins 77th International Pancake Day race

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate overrode Gov Laura Kelly’s veto on Tuesday, putting the state one step closer to forcing people to use bathrooms in government buildings that match their biological sex at birth.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb244/" target="_blank">Senate Substitute for House Bill 244</a>&nbsp;was overturned by the Senate, with votes falling along party lines.&nbsp;

As the vote was finalized in the Senate, Rabbi Moti Rieber shouted in anger from the gallery.&nbsp;

“First they came for the trans people, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t trans,” he yelled.&nbsp;

Rieber was referring to a&nbsp;<a href="https://hmd.org.uk/resource/first-they-came-by-pastor-martin-niemoller/" target="_blank">well-known writing</a>&nbsp;by a German minister after the Holocaust.&nbsp;

As he was escorted out, Rieber continued to shout, telling the Senate, “Shame on you.”&nbsp;

Sen. Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, said the bill is the result of a “culture war” and does not serve Kansans well.&nbsp;

“Issues like this bill make us a less attractive place for businesses to relocate and start,” she said. “We are poised to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in just over 100 days. The World Cup is supposed to bring millions of dollars to our region, and we should not be putting that economic impact at risk by playing political games in fighting culture wars.”

Sykes yielded to Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overand Park, taking away the chance for Republicans to “call the question,” a term that would stop debate and put the bill directly to a vote.&nbsp;

Someone from the Republican side of the Senate called the question after Sykes began talking, but Senate President Ty Masterson said she could continue.&nbsp;

Holscher challenged the Republican-led majority to show evidence that sexual assaults occur in bathrooms by trans people. She quoted various studies to back up her calculations that Kansans have a .00083% chance of being assaulted by a trans person in a restroom.&nbsp;

“You are eight times more likely to get struck by lightning,” Holscher said. “You’re 50 times more likely to die in a car crash, you’re 100 times more likely to be killed by gun violence, and you are 3,500 times more likely to be sexually assaulted by a man.”

Sens. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City, and David Haley, D-Kansas City, both Democrats from Wyandotte County that will host the World Cup, said they are concerned about economic development impacts.&nbsp;

“This body continues to debate and pass legislation that places a heavy financial burden on our communities without providing them with additional resources,” Pettey said. “We are hosting the World Cup this summer. We are being put in a global spotlight. The Kansas Legislature should be focused on job creation, strengthening our workforce and attracting and retaining top talent. Where one goes to the bathroom does not grow our economy.”

Sen. Kellie Warren, R-Leawood, closed the short debate expressing concerns about children seeing someone of the opposite sex in the bathroom or locker room.&nbsp;

“That’s what this bill is about. It’s not about economic impact,” she said.

In a statement, Senate President Ty Masterson said the Senate “restored sanity” in overturning Kelly’s veto.&nbsp;

“Kansas Democrats are for They/Them,” he said.&nbsp;

After the veto was overturned, Rieber expressed his frustration at the danger he believes the bill creates for trans people. He referred to a section of the bill that requires all gender markers on driver’s licenses and birth certificates to match a person’s biological sex at birth.

“This bill is gratuitous. This bill is absolutely unnecessary,” he said. “Think about when you take out your driver’s license — at the liquor store, when you’re cashing a check, voting, if a cop pulls you over. You’re outing yourself every time somebody sees your driver’s license. It’s very dangerous for trans people to be outed, and we’re putting them at risk.”

Kansas Senate overrides governor’s veto of anti-trans ‘bathroom bill’

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a series of homicides over the past week in Kansas City, Missouri

Just before 2p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the VA hospital in Kansas City on a reported shooting, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

Upon officers arrival, they contacted several individuals who had stated the shooting occurred in the 2900 block of Brighton Avenue. The victim, later identified as 46-year-old Richard Ennis was transported by private conveyance to the VA hospital for medical treatment. VA hospital staff advised officers he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary information provided by a witness stated that she was inside of her residence when she heard several sounds of shots outside of her home. She exited the residence and located Ennis lying in the street suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. An adult male suspect was seen entering an unknown vehicle and left the area in an unknown direction.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest.

Just after 2a.m. Sunday Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies were in the area of 28th and Southwest Boulevard working off duty for a nightclub/bar business there when they heard the sound of gunfire inside the bar, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

At the same time 911 received calls for a shooting inside the business.&nbsp;On arrival officers were led inside the business where they located 3 adult female shooting victims.&nbsp;

Officers began rendering aid and called for EMS to come in.&nbsp;EMS declared one shooting victim deceased at the scene. EMS&nbsp; then transported the other two victims to the hospital for treatment. At the hospital one of the two victims was declared deceased, and the other victim has what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries, according to Becchina.&nbsp; The women who died have been identified as 29-year-old Eboni Silas and 24-year-old Tishauna Ballard, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina.

While officers were at the scene they were notified of a 4th shooting victim, an adult male, who arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. That victim was reported to be in critical condition.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates the victims were inside the business when there was an interaction with one or more suspects that escalated and led to shots being fired which struck the victims.&nbsp; Police have not released any details on a possible suspect.

Just after 5:30p.m. Feb 12, police were dispatched to 20th and Monroe on a sound of shots call in the area. 911 received multiple additional calls of sound of shots and eventually one call reporting a shooting victim down in a wooded area of a series of vacant lots in the 2000 block of Monroe.

On arrival officers made their way into the vacant lots and located a male shooting victim later identified as 25-year-old Terrion M. Johnson. unresponsive there. Officers rendered aid and called for EMS. EMS responded and took over aid. They eventually declared the victim deceased here at the scene.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Preliminary indication indicates the shooting occurred on 20th street between Askew and Monroe and Johnson ran to the south where he was located.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just after 8p.m. Feb. 11, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a shooting in 1500 block of E 59th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.&nbsp; The caller advised there was a person outside that appeared to be injured and needed help.&nbsp;

On arrival officers located a victim later identified as 28-year-old&nbsp;Jamon Norfleet in front of a residence there. Norfleet told officers he had been shot at a nearby location near an apartment complex in the 6000 block of Blue Hills Road.

The victim was unable to provide any additional information regarding suspects.&nbsp;Officers called for EMS who transported the victim to the hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

Additional officers responded to the area described by the victim in the 6000 block of Blue Hills Road and located evidence of a crime scene at that location.&nbsp;

Detectives and Crime Scene investigators began conducing investigation and processing the scene for evidence.&nbsp;Later in the evening detectives were notified from the hospital that&nbsp;Jamon Norfleet had died.

At 9:30p.m. Feb. 10, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of E. Armour Blvd. in Kansas City, Missouri, on a sound of shots call, according to KCPD Sergeant Jake Becchina.

Multiple callers reported the sound of gunfire from behind an apartment building there. On arrival officers were directed to a parking lot in the back of an apartment building where they located a vehicle with shooting victims identified as 26-year-old Brittnee McMillon and and 28-year-old Jerrell Westmoreland.unresponsive inside.&nbsp;

Officers called for EMS who declared both victims deceased at the scene.&nbsp;Homicide detectives responded to the scene to conduct their investigation along with crime scene investigators processed the scene for available evidence.&nbsp; Police have not released details on possible suspects.

KCPD: 7 dead after violent week in Kansas City

Firefighters across Kansas were very busy Tuesday. Many fires were suppressed without state assistance. Kansas Forest Service and partners assisted with the following fires. 

Burned from Texas Co Ok into Seward Co. Located southwest of Liberal, forward progress is stopped for now and crews are actively working to extinguish hot spots. 

Located southeast Liberal is actively burning. Johnson County Task Force and KFS DFMO Williams is engaged with the local fire departments. The head fire is approaching Meade Co. 

This fire continues to burn actively and Kansas Forest Service DFMO Brad Ilonummi and other state resources are working with local responders on this fire.

Continues to burn actively moving east and is located south of Protection, KS. 

The Sedgwick Co Task Force is engaged on this fire along with KFS Assistant Fire Management Officer Dennis Carlson. 

Aviation and additional Kansas Task Forces will be available Wednesday to assist the local fire departments. 

Kansas Forest Service update on wildfires in Kansas

THOMAS COUNTY —One person died in a multi-vehicle accident during a dust storm just after 1p.m. Tuesday in Thomas County.

&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 Volvo semi driven by Ihor Batiuk, 53, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was eastbound on Interstate 70 approximately four miles west of the U.S. 83 exit in the right lane. The driver entered a blowing dust storm crossing the interstate from south to north. This storm caused little to zero visibility across the roadway. Due to the low visibility, the driver slowed his speed down.

A 2023 Toyota Highlander driven by Craig I. Goodman, 70, Ness City rear-ended the semi. After impact, the semi continued to the J&amp;J Truck Stop. The Toyota stopped in the right lane of travel.&nbsp; An eastsbound 2024 Freightliner semi driven by Dennis E. Graham, 65,&nbsp; Henryetta, Oklahoma, was behind the Toyota. The Freightliner's on-board forward crash detection sensor stopped the semi&nbsp; prior to impacting the vehicles in front involved in a separate collision and disabled in the roadway.

A eastbound 2014 Ford Explorer driven by Gary L&nbsp;Stoll, 75, Oakley, rear-ended the Freightliner. After impact the Explorer traveled to the left and stopped in the median facing south.

The Freightliner's rear end protection was damaged in the crash. An eastbound 2026 Acura MDX driven by Bradley A. Stout, 65, Wichita, struck the rear of the Freightliner's trailer. The Acura under-rode the trailer. An eastbound 2022 Subaru Ascent driven by William J.&nbsp;Burt, 66, Springdale, Arkansas, struck the Acura.

EMS transported Stoll to Citizen's Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Batiuk, Goodman, a passenger in the Toyota and Graham were not injured.&nbsp;&nbsp;Stout and a passenger in the Acura Catherine W. Stout, 63, Wichita, were transported to Wesley Medical Center.

Kansas man dies in chain-reaction I-70 crash in a dust storm

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY —Due to a high number of student and staff illnesses across the district, USD 286 Sedan canceled classes for Wednesday, February 18, according to a statement from the school district social media page.

"This decision was made out of an abundance of caution to allow students and staff time to recover and to help prevent further spread of illness. During this time, our custodial team will complete a deep cleaning and sanitization of all district buildings."

All school activities and practices scheduled for this date are also canceled and&nbsp;The Chautauqua County Spelling Bee scheduled for Wednesday will not take place due to illness.

On February 4, Centre School District USD 397 announced they would not have class the rest of the week due to illness.

On Feb. 2, USD 511 Attica reported there would be no school or other activities for two days due to sickness.&nbsp;&nbsp;On January 14, Fairfield USD 310 canceled classes and participation in activities due to illness.

Another Kansas school district cancels classes due to illness

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — P.J. Haggerty scored 34 points, Nate Johnson added a career-high 33, and Kansas State cruised past Baylor 90-74 on Tuesday night in the debut of Wildcats' interim head coach Matthew Driscoll.

K-State (11-15, 2-11 Big 12) never trailed and held a double-digit lead for most of the second half to end a six-game skid. Driscoll replaced previous head coach Jerome Tang, who was fired Sunday night after four season at the helm.

Johnson’s layup gave the Wildcats a 21-point lead with 10:39 remaining. He surpassed his previous career-best 31 points with a dunk with 1:37 remaining.

Haggerty shot 15 of 23 overall. Johnson was 11-of-16 shooting and made five of the Wildcats' eight 3-pointers. Johnson also had nine assists and matched a career-high with six steals.

Isaac Williams IV scored 16 points to lead Baylor (13-13, 3-10), which has lost four straight. Tounde Yessoufou added 14 point for the Bears. Cameron Carr chipped in with 12 points and Dan Skillings Jr. scored 11. The Bears made just three of their 24 3-point attempts.

Johnson made four 3s and scored 16 points, and Haggerty added 13 points to help K-State build a 41-34 halftime advantage. The Wildcats shot 5 of 11 from long range while Baylor missed 11 of 12 attempts from beyond the arc.

Williams' layup pulled the Bears to 66-57 with 8:20 left but they didn't get closer.

K-State is on the road Saturday to face No. 13 Texas Tech.

🏀 Haggerty, Johnson lead K-State over Baylor in coach Matthew Driscoll's debut

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State fired basketball coach Jerome Tang on Sunday night, four days after many Wildcats fans showed up with bags over their heads for a home blowout.

Athletic director Gene Taylor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2026/2/15/mens-basketball-k-state-announces-leadership-change-in-mens-basketball-program">announced the move</a>&nbsp;in a statement.

“This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men’s basketball program,” Taylor said. “Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program’s overall direction, have not aligned with K-State’s standards for supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward.”

The school said an interim head coach will be announced soon, and that a national search for a replacement has started.

“I am deeply disappointed with the university’s decision and strongly disagree with the characterization of my termination,” Tang told ESPN in a statement. “I have always acted with integrity and faithfully fulfilled my responsibilities as head coach.”

On Wednesday night at home in a 91-62 loss to Cincinnati, many&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jerome-tang-kansas-state-cincinnati-ed5e3f07a443a74ca13076acdb3e8a9d?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">fans wore bags over their heads</a>&nbsp;in disgust.

“This was embarrassing,” Tang said after that game. “These dudes do not deserve to wear this uniform. There will be very few of them in it next year. I’m embarrassed for the university, I’m embarrassed for our fans, our student section. It is just ridiculous. We’ve got practice at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, and we will get this thing right. I have no answer and no words.”

Kansas State (10-15, 1-11 Big 12)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-state-houston-score-1863f51225b3df1800adbd2e0fb76cee?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">fell 78-64 on Saturday at No. 3 Houston</a>, the Wildcats' sixth straight loss. In four seasons at the school, the 59-year-old Tang was 71-57 overall and 29-39 in the conference. He led the Wildcats to a 26-10 mark in his first season.

The Wildcats' next game is Tuesday night at home against Baylor, where Tang was an assistant coach for 19 seasons with Scott Drew, including the Bears’ national title in 2021.

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State Athletics Director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/staff-directory/gene-taylor/1">Gene Taylor</a>&nbsp;announced Sunday night the school is parting ways with men's basketball coach&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/jerome-tang/2683">Jerome Tang</a>, according to a media release.

This decision is effective immediately.An interim head coach will be announced in the near future."This was a decision that was made in the best interest of our university and men's basketball program,"&nbsp;Taylor said. 

"Recent public comments and conduct, in addition to the program's overall direction, have not&nbsp;aligned with K-State's&nbsp;standards for&nbsp;supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tang and his family all the best moving forward."A national search for K-State's next basketball coach will begin immediately.

K-State and men's head basketball coach Jerome Tang have parted ways. According to multiple media reports Tang was fired Sunday, with the Wildcats 1-11 in Big 12 play.&nbsp;

Tang was in his fourth season at Kansas State where his overall record was 71-57 and 29-39 in Big 12 play. A highlight was his first season when the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

🏀 K-State parting ways with men's basketball coach Jerome Tang

HOUSTON (AP) — Emanuel Sharp had 23 points and six rebounds as No. 3 Houston rallied from an early deficit to beat Kansas State 78-64 on Saturday for the Cougars’ sixth straight win.

Sharp scored 14 points on 4 of 10 shooting in the first half as Houston (23-2, 11-1 Big 12) built a 33-19 halftime lead.

Milos Uzan added 12 points and eight assists, and Kingston Flemings finished with 12 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars, which won their 18th straight at home.

P.J. Haggerty scored 23 points to lead Kansas State (10-15, 1-11). Haggerty surpassed 2,000 points in his collegiate career in the first half, becoming the fifth current Division I player to achieve the milestone.

Nate Johnson had 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Taj Manning added 10 points for Kansas State. The Wildcats shot 35% from the field, 8 of 26 (31%) from 3-point range, and made 16 of 25 (64%) from the free-throw line.

The Wildcats raced to a 15-6 lead about 8 ½ minutes into the game on a 3-pointer by Haggerty, but Houston responded to finish the half on a 27-4 run. Sharp had nine points and Uzan added seven points in the spurt. Kansas State shot 1 for 15 from the floor to end the half.

Kansas State got no closer than 10 points in the second half.

The Wildcats have lost six consecutive games overall and have lost six straight on the road. Kansas State dropped to 0-6 against ranked teams this season.

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