KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two police officers won’t face charges in the fatal shootings of two men who were struggling over a handgun last summer in a downtown Kansas City square.
Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo courtesy KCTV
Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said in a letter to the police chief that the officers were compelled to fatally shoot 33-year-old Timothy Mosley in June because he ignored officers’ repeated demands to drop his weapon and attempted to fire it.
She said 34-year-old Robert White was killed because he was too close to Mosely. Her review showed that Mosley kept his arm around White as they wrestled. The men were killed less than an hour after city officers fatally shot a woman seen brandishing a sword.
Baker’s letter was dated Jan. 9 and posted to the prosecutor’s office website Tuesday night.
Farmers had more optimism about the agriculture economy in January than they had in previous months. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer says one of their biggest worries is farmland values.
The January reading of 143 was a 16-point jump over December. The survey was the first opportunity to measure how farmers were feeling after the second round of Market Facilitation Payments came out, as well as how they felt about the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Those two announcements gave a positive shot in the arm to producers’ sentiments on both their current and future economic conditions.
The January Index of Current Conditions jumped from 109 in December to 132 in January. The Index of Future Expectations rose from 135 to 148. The January survey also included early planting intentions. The survey asked farmers who planted soybeans last year what their plans are in 2019.
Two-thirds of the farmers who responded to the survey say their soybean acreage won’t change from last year. However, 25 percent of soybean producers will be looking to reduce their soybean acreage compared to what it was last year.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — University of Kansas officials say crimes reported on the Lawrence campus in 2018 dropped to the lowest level in 10 years.
The Office of Public Safety said in a news release Wednesday that 619 crimes were reported last year, down 8 percent from 670 in 2017.
The report found theft continues to be the most common crime, with 150 reported in 2018. That was followed by drug crimes, with 113 reports, and property damage, with 91 reports.
Assault reports rose significantly from 2017, with a total of 34, up from 14 in 2017.
Nine sex offenses were reported in 2018, up from five from the previous year. Reported rapes dropped from four to two.
Sexual assaults that are reported to university administration or other law enforcement departments aren’t included in the report.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Kansas City, Kansas, fire officials say woman and a dog died in a house fire.
Photo courtesy KCKFD
Assistant Fire Chief Morris Lechter says a man was able to escape the fire early Wednesday.
The house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The woman and dog were discovered after firefighters knocked down the blaze.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Farm Credit Council joined with the Rebuild Rural Coalition in sending a letter this week to congressional leadership. They did so on behalf of rural communities, U.S. farmers, rural businesses, and rural families. “We’re asking the President and Congress to consider the unique needs of rural communities,” says Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose. “The more than 240 organizations signing this letter have united on behalf of our rural America.”
The groups say they’re asking the White House and Congress to ensure that rural communities have access to clean and safe drinking water, secure and dependable surface transportation, reliable and affordable power, healthcare, housing, broadband, as well as research institutions with state-of-the-art facilities. Their goal is to help rural communities thrive and become more attractive places to live.
The 240-plus local, state, and national organizations from across the country are asking leadership in both chambers to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure, including specific provisions focused on the needs of rural communities and agriculture.” Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services. Farm Credit has been fulfilling its mission of helping rural America grow and thrive for more than a century.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri man who was in a vehicle that led police officers in a pursuit pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to illegally possessing a firearm, according to the United State’s Attorney.
Ewing -Boone Co.
Justin Craig Ewing, 30, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Ewing admitted that he was in possession of a loaded Browning .40-caliber handgun.
On Dec. 22, 2017, police officers attempted to stop a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by Jeremy Wade Gerlach, 36, of Harrisburg, Mo., in which Ewing was the passenger. Officers, who were seeking to arrest Gerlach, pulled in behind the parked vehicle at the Days Inn Motel, 900 I-70 Drive Southwest, Columbia, Mo. As officers approached the vehicle on foot, the Impala fled north through a grassy area next to the motel. As another patrol vehicle arrived from the east side of the motel, the Impala swerved left to go around them and crashed into an electric pole. An officer ran up to the vehicle and pointed his gun at the occupants. When the officer realized Gerlach was trying to put the vehicle in reverse, he ran back to his patrol vehicle and used it to pinch in the rear of the Impala to prevent escape and further jeopardy to officers.
When officers approached the vehicle, the driver’s side windows were up and the doors were locked. An officer used his baton to break the driver’s window, and officers pulled Gerlach out of the Impala through the broken driver’s side window.
When officers removed Gerlach and Ewing from the vehicle, they saw the Browning handgun (which had been reported as stolen) lying on the floorboard where Ewing had been sitting. Ewing was wearing a shoulder handgun holster. Officers also found a loaded Rock Island Armory .45-caliber handgun wedged between the driver’s seat and center console.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Ewing has four prior felony convictions for forgery and prior felony convictions for burglary, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, distribution of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a weapon.
Gerlach pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, 2018, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Under federal statutes, Ewing and Gerlach are each subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
Preliminary trade discussions between Washington and Brussels aren’t going well. In fact, Politico says the talks now appear to basically be an effort to not jump into a full-on trade war. That possibilities potentially include new U.S. tariffs being slapped on automobiles. The two sides can’t even seem to agree on how the negotiations should proceed.
The U.S. wants greater access to Europe’s agricultural markets. However, EU officials say that topic is a deal-breaker. They fear potential backlash from the EU’s politically powerful bloc of farmers. Brussels wants to get rid of tariffs on the industrial goods it ships to the U.S., including cars. However, President Trump is determined to protect American manufacturing.
Politico says the stalemate over agricultural negotiations appears to be dimming hopes for a comprehensive transatlantic trade deal even before official negotiations get going. To keep the U.S. president at the negotiating table, the EU has agreed to boost U.S. soy imports by allowing the use of crops subsidized for biofuel production. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross originally had a deadline of February 19th to make recommendations to the president regarding possible duties on auto imports.
However, the government shutdown may have delayed that. Once the recommendations are made, Trump will have 90 days to make a decision The EU Parliament’s Trade Committee vote this month on whether or not to formally oppose the U.S.-EU negotiations.
WASHINGON —President Donald Trump called for optimism and unity in Tuesday’s State of the Union address, using the moment to attempt a reset after two years of bitter partisanship and deeply personal attacks.
Members of the Missouri and Kansas congressional delegations had a wide variety of thoughts on Trump’s address.
Strong words tonight from @realDonaldTrump. Time now for Democrats to come to the table to secure the border, bring down prescription drug costs, and keep wages rising. Let’s get to work
In the #SOTU, I was pleased to hear @POTUS recognize the importance of trade, but I continue to have concerns about the value & practice of tariffs, especially when our agriculture exports end up in the retaliatory crosshairs. 1/2
Senator Jerry Moran said, “President Trump is right to focus on rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure – an issue that can garner broad support from Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate – which ought to include a plan to expand broadband in rural areas.
I was also pleased to hear the president’s commitment to work with Congress to ratify the USMCA and expand trade for Kansas farmers and ranchers, expediently implement the VA MISSION Act to help provide our veterans with accessible healthcare, lower the rising cost of healthcare and prescription medication, and aggressively fight cancer and deadly diseases.
President Trump during Tuesday’s State of the Union address- White House courtesy image
Additionally, I share the president’s goal of better securing our borders and I was pleased he did not declare a national emergency at our border, instead opting to allow Congress to continue our work and negotiate a solution.President Trump’s message regarding his hope for bipartisan policy achievements was an important step in the right direction, and I am committed to working with my colleagues and the administration on delivering positive results for Kansans and for the American people.”
First District Congressman Roger Marshall said, “Since elected, this Administration has been focused on lifting regulatory and tax burdens, unleashing our economy, and most importantly keeping our country safe. Tonight, we heard President Trump discuss American exceptionalism and the endless opportunities for success that our nation has when we put politics aside and work together. President Trump made it clear that his vision for success is only possible when both parties come to the table. I am hopeful that we can take President Trump’s call for unity and begin to work closer with each other understanding that we have one goal, a better America,” Rep Marshall said. “We must secure our border; we must address this national crisis and work together on finding a solution by the February 15th deadline.”
The President called for Congress to ‘show the world that America is committed to ending illegal immigration and putting the ruthless coyotes, cartels, drug dealers, and human traffickers out of business.I am standing with the President, and we must secure our border by building the wall.”
We must come together – both as a nation, and as a body. Tonight, the President outlined a path forward, not for a Party, but for a nation.
In media row discussing the #SOTU. I applaud President Trump’s leadership and will work with him to secure our border, grow our economy and support families in Kansas and throughout our country. pic.twitter.com/NmAI14rFop
Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes said, “President Trump set clear goals to build on the progress we’ve made to grow our economy at historic levels, rebuild our military, and invest in our communities to address serious issues like the opioid crisis,” said Rep. Estes. “Tonight, the president also clearly made the case for achieving strong border security that includes a wall, affordable health care, decisive foreign policy and legislation which protects the unborn. I applaud the president’s leadership and will work with him to secure our border, grow our economy and support families in Kansas and throughout our country.”
Third District Congresswoman Sharice Davids has not released a statement on the address.
LAFAYETTE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just after 6:30p.m. Tuesday in Lafayette County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Pontiac driven by Samantha D. Rios, 20, Kansas City, Kan., was westbound on Interstate 70 just east of Johnson Drive.
The driver lost control of the vehicle on the ice-covered roadway. It skidded into the median. The vehicle traveled out of the median into the left lane and into the path of a semi.
A passenger in the Pontiac Wendy R. Rios, 19, Altamont, IL., was pronounced dead at athe scene.
Passenger Kaleb A. Huddlestun, 21, Effingham, IL., was transported to Centerpointe Hospital where he died
Samantha Rios and a third passenger Ryan M. Kumm, 19, Independence, MO., were transported to Centerpointe Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The semi driver from New York was not injured. All five were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the MSHP.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to being part of a drug ring that distributed methamphetamine from Mexico in the Kansas City metro area, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Karen Ortega -photo Wyandotte Co.
Karen Ortega, 41, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine from premises in which children reside.
In her plea, she admitted working out of her home in the 3000 block of North 34th Street in Kansas City, Kan., where she and her minor children lived. A search warrant at the residence turned up approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.8 pounds of heroin and more than $230,000 in cash.
In her plea, she admitted federal investigators had her under surveillance when she met another conspirator in a Wal-Mart parking lot at 10824 Parallel Parkway and sold almost two pounds of methamphetamine for $4,500.
Sentencing is set for May 7. She faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million.
Farmers had more optimism about the agriculture economy in January than they had in previous months. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have concerns. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer says one of their biggest worries is farmland values.
The Farm Credit Council joined with the Rebuild Rural Coalition in sending a letter this week to congressional leadership. They did so on behalf of rural communities, U.S. farmers, rural businesses, and rural families. “We’re asking the President and Congress to consider the unique needs of rural communities,” says Farm Credit Council CEO Todd Van Hoose. “The more than 240 organizations signing this letter have united on behalf of our rural America.”
