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Articles by Eli Higgins
KHP sends out urgent warning after string of deadly highway crashes
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Trooper Chad Crittenden with Kansas Highway Patrol says there have been 235 crash deaths so far this year on Kansas highways alone, and while that's down 13% from this time last year, he says it can quickly trend back up. "Last week, I think we had 11 fatalities that the Highway Patrol worked. So, you know, just in a week's time, that number can drastically jump right back up," said Crittenden.
Longtime Wichita parks director no longer employed after Clapp Park rental controversy
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - The long-time Wichita Parks Director is no longer employed with the city after getting slammed by the mayor and city council two weeks ago over a mistake that cost the city thousands of dollars. “I'm extremely embarrassed, and I am very keen on making some adjustments, to making some changes,” said former Wichita Parks Director Troy Houtman.
'We can't forget': Wichita family on vacation in 2001 planned to be in Twin Towers during 9/11 attack
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - More than two decades later, Wichita resident Jade Bach-Silva says it still feels like yesterday when she witnessed one of the biggest tragedies in history. “It was definitely a very difficult day. I guess I didn't know I was going to feel this way after 23 years, but it's, yeah, it was a hard sight to see,” said Bach-Silva. But for her, it wasn’t just that she watched the towers fall killing thousands of people.
Wichita USPS mail sorting facility designating task force to ensure all November mail-in ballots count
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - In March, KAKE News investigated after learning the mail sorting facility in Wichita was full of pallets of mail nearly up to the ceiling, which workers say management forced them to leave untouched for days, sometimes weeks. Christine Pruitt, the President of the local American Postal Workers Union says conditions drastically improved after those reports.
KDOT closing northbound I-235 to K-96 exit starting Tuesday causing detour for many fairgoers
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Daniel Martin lives in Wichita, and says it was no surprise Monday learning about another closure coming to one of the city’s busiest stretches of highway. “Definitely feels like there's a lot of just general disruption,” said Martin.
Closure of K-96 ramp in Wichita delayed until after Kansas State Fair
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - According to an update from the Kansas Department of Transportation, the ramp closure has been moved to Monday, September 16, the day after the Kansas State Fair ends. Daniel Martin lives in Wichita, and says it was no surprise Monday learning about another closure coming to one of the city’s busiest stretches of highway. “Definitely feels like there's a lot of just general disruption,” said Martin.
Wichita chosen for authentic traveling display to remember 9/11
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - For people of a certain age, they’ll always remember exactly where they were and what they were doing the moment the world stood still on September 11th, 2001. As a retired firefighter and Vice President of the Kansas Firefighters Museum, Gary Friedman says it’s something he’ll never forget. “When that came up on TV and it collapsed, I told my new coworkers that there were hundreds of firefighters that died right there,” Friedman recalled.
School district doubles down on active shooter protocol with technology
By Eli Higgins Click here for updates on this story HAYSVILLE, Kansas (KAKE) — “It’s a sad thing when that happens anywhere. Unfortunately, it’s something we have come to know as a society. We have to deal with it day in and day out now,” said Haysville Schools Operations Director B.J. Knudson. Like many others, Knudson has spent the week with a heavy heart after a shooting at a Georgia high school killed four people and injured nine others. “It’s only a matter of time, you know.
Haysville school district doubles down on active shooter protocol with technology
HAYSVILLE, Kan. (KAKE) - “It's a sad thing when that happens anywhere. Unfortunately, it's something we have come to know as a society. We have to deal with it day in and day out now,” said Haysville Schools Operations Director B.J. Knudson. Like many others, Knudson has spent the week with a heavy heart after a shooting at a Georgia high school killed four people and injured nine others. "It's only a matter of time, you know. It keeps getting closer and closer to home.
Former McPherson County teacher charged for rape of 14-year-old student
McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. (KAKE) - Court documents show that in April, Canton-Galva High School Principal Jesse Vincent had to call the police after a student told Vincent that one of their teachers raped them. Canton Police Chief Mark Barnett says in the court documents that you can see the former teacher, 48-year-old Jose Espinoza, on camera walking into his classroom with a 14-year-old student.
'The families were close friends': Relatives react to arrest in death of man found in trunk of car
By Eli Higgins Click here for updates on this story WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — “I don’t know, you know, what the circumstances were, but that’s just… His murder is evil. But it’s beyond that,” said Ranae Baugh. Last month, police found Baugh’s step-cousin, 39-year-old Kyce Barnes, dead in an abandoned parking lot in west Wichita, wrapped up in bloody sheets and stuffed in the trunk of a car. “I guess I want to know why did you do it. Were you robbing him? Did you get in an argument?
'The families were close friends': Relatives react to man arrested, charged in death of man found dead in trunk of car
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - "I don't know, you know, what the circumstances were, but that's just… His murder is evil. But it's beyond that," said Ranae Baugh. Last month, police found Baugh’s step-cousin, 39-year-old Kyce Barnes, dead in an abandoned parking lot in west Wichita, wrapped up in bloody sheets and stuffed in the trunk of a car. “I guess I want to know why did you do it. Were you robbing him? Did you get in an argument? But it was still, it was excessive,” said Baugh.
City of Wichita looking to add laws to make Airbnb, Vrbo renters liable for nuisance parties instead of owners
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - With most things you rent, the liability for what you do with it is on you, but with short-term rentals in Wichita like Airbnb or Vrbo, the owner could be held responsible for crimes committed by renters. Next week, the city is looking to change that. Michael Cuevas-Zaragoza started renting out his home on Airbnb a couple of years ago, and he's the first to admit it isn't always easy.
Wichita residents say woman going door to door scamming people with fake 'cookie dough for fundraiser' sales
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Some Wichita residents say a woman is scamming people by going door to door selling popcorn and cookie dough to raise money. But they say after you pay, she disappears and your products never show up. "I just think it's sad. Because you want to trust people, you know. We want to trust our neighbors... I trusted her. I wanted to trust her. And now she's ruined it," said Mary Shaft. Shaft lives in a quiet neighborhood tucked away in east Wichita.
'I have bills to pay': VA cancels Newton veteran's disability income because she 'died.' But she's very much alive
NEWTON, Kan. (KAKE) - Shirley Tardy-Saunders is a disabled veteran. After retiring from the National Guard unable to work, she's relied on disability income from the Department of Veterans Affairs to survive. But earlier this month, she got a strange letter from the VA. "On behalf of the Department of Veteran Affairs, we are saddened to learn of the passing of Shirley L Tardy-Saunders.
KS Department of Wildlife says Monday marked the first documented sighting of an elk in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - It was a strange Monday morning in northeast Wichita when people started seeing a big elk making his way around town. “That thing gets in too deep into a city like Wichita, and it's going to cause some problems,” said Matt Peek with the Kansas Department of Wildlife. Peek says seeing elk in Kansas isn’t super uncommon, but this is the first time he’s ever heard of one roaming around Wichita.
Wildlife official says Monday marked the first documented sighting of an elk in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - It was a strange Monday morning in northeast Wichita when people started seeing a big elk making his way around town. “That thing gets in too deep into a city like Wichita, and it's going to cause some problems,” said Matt Peek with the Kansas Department of Wildlife. Peek says seeing elk in Kansas isn’t super uncommon, but this is the first time he’s ever heard of one roaming around Wichita.
'Having your period? Deal with it': Sedgwick parents upset about letter to players from HS girls' volleyball coach
SEDGWICK, Kan. (KAKE) - It’s no secret that athletes work hard for the sport they love, often dedicating endless hours each week to being their best, and the Sedgwick volleyball team is no exception. In their last 116 games, they’ve lost only 7. However, some parents are upset after head volleyball coach Karen Stucky gave out a letter of rules and expectations to the girls' high school team that some find offensive.
'He always lit up the room': Family seeking answers after man found dead in trunk of car
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - “I was just, like, confused... I was in shock. Couldn't believe it,” said Stella Jackson. Jackson is talking about the moment on Thursday when her mom called with devastating news. Wichita police identified the 39-year-old man found dead, wrapped in bloody sheets and stuffed in the trunk of a car Wednesday morning as her cousin, Kyce Barnes. “He was a loving person. He never knew a stranger. He always spoke to everybody he came in contact with.
After hawk escaped, thanks to generous donations, Midwest Avian Foundation getting two new birds to teach kids
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A local non-profit that spends its time going from school to school teaching kids about the importance of birds of prey lost one of its most important birds earlier this year. However, thanks to generous donations, organizers say they’re finally about to get back on their feet with two brand-new birds. In January, KAKE News spent time with the Midwest Avian Foundation looking for its beloved red-tailed hawk, Harley Junior, when he escaped from his cage.
Kingman residents trying to clean up town after two days of damaging storms
KINGMAN, Kan. (KAKE) - Liz Ziegler is a disabled veteran who spent decades in the Army and National Guard, so she’s no stranger to stressful situations, but she says things got a little scary Wednesday night. “It was lightning, thunder, and I just sat there on the couch away from the door and windows till it let up,” said Ziegler. “I had a pecan tree in the back.
McPherson County residents cleaning up after powerful storms
MCPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. (KAKE) - The McCarty family lives in rural McPherson County. They spent all day Thursday picking up the pieces of their lives the devastating storms left behind. The McCarty's say all that's left of the barndominium that their Navy veteran son was almost done building by hand is a staircase, a few walls, and everything inside is ruined.
Local garden centers adjusting to water restrictions to keep plants alive amid drought
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Wichita's recent water restrictions caused by the drought are affecting just about everyone, especially people like Julie Oetting who's business wouldn't exist without water. "It just makes us more on our toes. We have to work just a little bit harder to do that water conservation here at the store," said Oetting. Oetting runs the Stutzmans Garden Center at 21st and Webb.
Controlled burn in Elk County caused smoke to drift over Sedgwick and Butler Counties
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - "When I walked outside and could barely see down the street, I definitely noticed and was curious where it was coming from," said Brittney Rubino. Rubino lives in east Wichita and says she couldn't figure out what was going on Wednesday afternoon when the skies suddenly changed from clear and sunny to a thick layer of dense smoke covering a big chunk of Sedgwick and Butler counties.
Hundreds gather to celebrate unveiling of new Jackie Robinson statue
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Eight-year-old Marcus Jones spent Monday evening with hundreds of people at McAdams Park to do something he’s been waiting months for, to see League 42's brand new Jackie Robinson statue. League 42 is a non-profit organization with one main goal, to give kids the opportunity to play on baseball teams who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford sports. Jones says words can’t describe the feeling when he and his teammates pulled down the cover. "I can't even explain it.
Hundreds of people line Wichita streets as fallen firefighter makes dignified transfer
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - The dignified transfer for fallen firefighter Ty Voth stretched for miles across both sides of town Saturday morning as family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers lined the streets to honor him. "Thinking about a brother that we just lost. Trying to honor him for the sacrifice he made," said Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz. "He had his passion for the job itself and wanted to become better.
Community hails teens heroes after saving man who crashed into river
By Eli Higgins Click here for updates on this story EL DORADO, Kansas (KAKE) — A group of El Dorado teens are being hailed as heroes after a man suffered a medical emergency and ended up crashing his truck into the river and they rushed into action and likely saved his life. “I was scared. A little bit frightened. Worried,” the teens said. Kendrick Jordan, Keaton Bryant and their friends spend almost every day at the Main 8 Dirt Waves BMX park in El Dorado.
Community hails El Dorado teens heroes after saving man who crashed into river
Headline: Heat Advisory from THU 1:00 PM CDT until THU 8:00 PM CDT Bulletin: ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... ...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 8 PM CDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...For the first Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 107. For the second Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 106 expected. * WHERE...Comanche, Clark, and Meade Counties. * WHEN...For the first Heat Advisory, until 8 PM CDT this evening.
Wichita server raises thousands for LGBTQ anti-bullying charity after customer calls him homophobic slur in place of tip
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - "It's insane. I mean, I've never actually gotten 100% tip, and at this point, it's probably about a 3,000% tip," said Bubba's 33 waiter Noah Bierig. Bierig is definitely feeling the love over the last several days. Last week, he was serving a group of people when he said it felt like they started making fun of his painted nails and pride bracelet. After they left, he noticed one of them didn't even leave a tip, and instead, called him a homophobic slur. "It's absolutely insane.
City of Salina stepping in after inspection reveals abandoned hotel is a dangerous health hazard
SALINA, Kan. (KAKE) - The City of Salina is now stepping in to make the owner of an old abandoned hotel either fix it up or tear it down, saying it’s so bad, city staff had to wear full hazmat gear just to go inside to take pictures. “Note in the picture above, that the trespassing vagrant occupier of this room kept both a fuel-fired heater and the fuel for it in in their room,” said Dangerous Structure Specialist Sean Furbeck.
Two years later, local mental health expert says 988 suicide hotline is saving lives
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - In just two years since the 988 mental health hotline started, people working the hotline answered more than ten million calls nationwide, and in Wichita, one mental health expert says it’s already saving lives. "I was sitting on the couch in a very bad place at home and casting about desperately trying to figure out what I had available to me," said mental health expert Eric Litwiller.
Wichita server turning homophobic slur left in place of tip into powerful anti-bullying message
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - It's no secret restaurant workers rely on tips for almost all of their income. However, one customer in Wichita recently did something even worse than writing zero on the tip line, and now that server is trying to turn something so hurtful into a powerful message. "That hurt me a lot. I'm not the type to cry at work, but I gotta say, that was definitely the first time that had happened to me," said Noah Bierig.
How will the Trump assassination attempt affect the polls in Kansas? Local expert weighs in
Now, WSU Political Science Professor Neal Allen says he’s getting lots of questions about how this could potentially affect the election. "I'm sure people will want to figure out whether this helps Trump or hurts him running for president. It's too early to figure that out. My guess is it probably doesn't actually change much, because Trump's brand and Trump's message is very consistent with what happened in Pennsylvania," said Allen.
Marion High School freshman recalls terrifying moment team bus caught fire
MARION, Kan. (KAKE) - “If no one had noticed and no one was behind us when it happened, who knows, maybe the entire football team could have been dead,” said Marion High School freshman Landon Justice. Justice and the team were on their way home from football camp in Salina when they realized something was very wrong. "We smelled oil. A couple kids in the back are like that smells lovely," said Justice.
Harper County residents asking county, state for better bridge closure detour options after fatal crash
HARPER COUNTY, Kan. (KAKE) - Harper County residents are frustrated after the state tore out a bridge on one of its busiest highways, but hasn’t even started working on it over a month later. They say it’s forcing people to choose either an hourlong detour, or to take dangerous dirt roads that have already caused one fatal accident.
Wichita city leaders say fireworks season went well overall after first year of less restrictive laws
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Wichita City Council approved new laws for this year that allowed people to legally buy and launch aerial fireworks within city limits. Councilman Brandon Johnson says his biggest reason for voting yes was seeing the unnecessary danger that banning aerial fireworks put on law enforcement. "When we did start increased enforcement, I think that was 2019, we saw people trying to assault firefighters and police," said Johnson.
West Wichita neighborhood ditches big firework shows as buying and shooting aerials now legal in city limits
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Like many Americans, the Fourth of July has a special place in Kaden Beeson and his family’s hearts, and this year, they learned something that made them even more excited. "I was just like, let's go buy some big stuff. Spent a lot of money," said Beeson. He’s talking about the fact that you can now buy and shoot big aerial fireworks in city limits, so he and his family decided to ditch the big shows this year and have their own show right outside their front door.
City of Hutchinson takes first step in condemning, tearing down vacant hotel
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KAKE) - A vacant Hutchinson hotel that many residents see as an eyesore is now at the center of attention of the city council. "It is the recommendation of staff that we declare the building unsafe and dangerous," said Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas. Tuesday, the Hutchinson City Council decided it was time to do something about the run-down, boarded-up Atrium Hotel that's sat vacant for years.
Community members helping one another after strong storm leaves trail of damage in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - Strong storms left a trail of damage in Wichita and Andover Tuesday night after ripping apart firework tents and knocking trees onto homes in the blink of an eye. "A lot of people were yelling mom, and they were crying, little girls, kids running around, parents just going with the kids and running towards their cars," said Ana Barron. Barron was inside the big firework tent at Kellogg and Country Line Road shopping with her family when strong winds tore it apart.
Kansas interstate drivers already noticing faster travel after first day of fully automatic tolling Original
KANSAS (KAKE) - With the "Cash or KTAG" lanes now painted over along I-35, and the booths that still had workers in them Sunday now covered up with big signs, it's a new era of highway interstate in Kansas. "It's pretty nice so far. I wish the speed limit was a little higher. But other than that it seems good," said Trapper McFerron. McFerron and his family live in Arizona and are headed to Wisconsin for the holiday.
Important warning from WFD as we kick off 4th of July festivities
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - As the first day of fireworks sales comes to a close, families are already stocking up for the next week of fun. But with it being one of the most dangerous holidays, firefighters have an important warning, and want to remind you what you can and can’t do in city limits. “We're getting fireworks so we can like maybe let him off tomorrow or today,” said Ethan Cabral.
Firework tents hope for big year after city legalizes aerial fireworks sales
By Eli Higgins Click here for updates on this story WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — There are big changes coming to Wichita this year, and firework tent owners are hoping it will mean more sales than ever. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for firework tent owners like Teresa Lybarger. After doing it for over a decade, she says she knows there won’t be much sleep ahead of the first day of sales Thursday.
Wichita firework tents hope for big year after city legalizes aerial fireworks sales
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - There are big changes coming to Wichita this year, and firework tent owners are hoping it will mean more sales than ever. It’s one of the busiest days of the year for firework tent owners like Teresa Lybarger. After doing it for over a decade, she says she knows there won’t be much sleep ahead of the first day of sales Thursday.
'It's helped a lot': Evergreen Recycle passed its fire inspection just weeks before massive blaze
PARK CITY, Kan. (KAKE) - Fire crews have been fighting a blaze at Evergreen Recycle in Park City for more than two days. During a similar fire in 2022, investigators said part of the challenge was that the owner wasn’t following fire code with the wood piles, and it took nine days to put out. "It's a challenge. I don't know that it's a strain. We've got maybe 40% of our resources out here right now," said Sedgwick County Fire Marshal Brad Crisp.
Experts say parts of Woodlawn at longtime Bel Aire construction project will have to be torn up, rebuilt
BEL AIRE, Kan. (KAKE) - A road construction project in Bel Aire that’s been going on for years has yet another delay after crews found water washing away the dirt under the road. City leaders say they're making a plan to fix it. "It was really difficult because we had to take different routes," said Erika Ruiz. It’s been a long two-and-a-half years for Ruiz and her family. They run the local food truck El Rey Mexican Kitchen, so for them, driving is pretty important. “[I] was in Mexico.
How new Kansas tax reductions will affect the average taxpayer
TOPEKA, Kan. (KAKE) - Many political experts were shocked Tuesday to see lawmakers pass the big Kansas tax cut nearly unanimously, saving taxpayers more than $1.2 billion over the next three years. "One really nice piece of news is that it was bipartisan. The whole thing was bipartisan," said Emporia State University Political Science Professor Michael Smith. The bill passed 34-4 in the Senate and 121-2 in the House, and Governor Laura Kelly has already pledged to sign it into law.
Sedgwick County District Attorney warns of elaborate crypto scams
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A retired Texas man recently got scammed out of more than a quarter of a million dollars thinking he was making cryptocurrency investments. The Sedgwick County District Attorney says the scammers are smart, and has a warning so that you don’t also fall for it. "I'm telling you, when I realized that I was scammed, I was so devastated. And I didn't know I didn't know what to say to my wife," said Leonid Shteyn.
GoFundMe for grieving Wichita children removed amid controversy over title, description change
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A GoFundMe set up last month to help the children of a woman who drowned has been taken down after concerns were raised over the woman's mother changing the title and description. Sarah (Kanelakos) Ouellet passed away May 11 after she and her son became stranded in Grouse Creek east of Arkansas City, the Cowley County Sheriff's Office said. The boy was found clinging to a limb and taken to the hospital.
GoFundMe organizer changes campaign title, description after raising $18,000 for grieving Wichita children
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - "Sarah had went after him to protect him from drowning and ended up not coming up herself," said Daniel Ouellet. Ouellet and his wife Sarah had been separated for about a year, but were still raising their three young children. On May 11th, Sarah was on a trip with the kids to Cowley County to see her dad when the unthinkable happened. "They had played in the creek, they were swimming in the creek, Maddox had fallen in," Ouellet said.
Wichita used to use trees as water pipes, local plumber finds one under Emporia Street
WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) - A local plumber recently made a rare discovery while at a job in downtown Wichita after he found an old wooden water pipe from over a century ago still mostly intact. “They were digging up to tap the main and when they were down there digging, they ran into this old wood pipe,” said Chris Jessup with The Tap of Kansas.
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