Kansas Klips

Body of a missing Kansas woman, who left disabled car found in pond

COWLEY COUNTY—On Saturday, December 23rd, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the 17,000 Block of 121st Road for a vehicle in a field. When deputies contacted the registered owner, it was discovered the driver, 69-year-old Janet J. Spoon of Winfield, was the person last driving the vehicle and had been out with friends the previous night. Over three days, several searches and contact with businesses in the areas were conducted. No further leads were developed. On Christmas Day, the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area behind Gottlob Lawn and Landscape for a deceased body found in the pond on the property. Preliminary identification was made of Janet Spoon pending autopsy. Spoon lived in Winfield with her husband, according to Undersheriff Christina McDonald. (Hays Post)

Semi hauling cars catches fire in northwest Kansas

ELLIS—A semi-truck hauling vehicles on a trailer caught fire in northwest Kansas on Friday, December 22nd. It happened in the westbound lanes of Interstate 70, about two miles east of Ellis. The fire appeared to have started at the back of the trailer, destroying at least three vehicles. (KSNW)

Highway bypass project moving forward in Pratt

PRATT— The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) released a preliminary plan for the “US Highway 54 Bypass Project.” This proposed project was initiated in October of 2006. Since then, all the property needed for the bypass has been purchased. However, at this time, no specific dates have been released concerning the construction timeline. The City of Pratt supports the expansion of Highway 54 as a contiguous four-lane highway west of Wichita to the southwest Kansas border. (KSCB)

Sheriff’s K9 helps capture Grinch in northwest Kansas

PHILLIPS COUNTY—According to a social media report from the Phillips County Sheriff, law enforcement authorities in northwest Kansas captured the Grinch. After some intelligence of Grinch activity at the high school, deputies, with the assistance of the high school band and Panther Television, were able to take the green menace into custody. Deputy K9 Fritz was critical in the Grinch’s capture and saving Christmas presents. The Grinch is now scheduled for Christmas Spirit Therapy. The sheriff’s office thanked the Phillipsburg High School Band for excellent Christmas music and Panther TV for their editing abilities. No Grinches were seriously harmed in the making of the video. (Hay Post)

Kansas shoppers to see $150 million in savings as tax on groceries drops

TOPEKA—Kansas shoppers should see another $150 million in savings as previous Legislation drops the state sales tax on groceries to 2%. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says that in 2024, Kansas shoppers are projected to see another $150 million in savings due to the “Axe the Food Tax” legislation signed into law in 2022. The Kansas Department of Revenue projections show that the state sales tax on groceries will go from 4% to 2%, savingshoppers $12.5 million each month in 2024. “By taking a middle-ofthe- road approach we have been able to continue putting money back in the pockets of every Kansan,” Kelly said. “This reduction is a step toward eliminating the state sales tax on groceries completely, which will happen in 2025.” After the state was finally on solid financial footing, Kelly said that in 2021, she called on the state legislature to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries as soon as possible. The Legislature ultimately passed a bill that gradually reduced the sales tax to over three years. The Governor noted that the state sales tax reduction applies to food, food ingredients, and certain prepared foods. On Kansas receipts, shoppers should see two tax rates, one for qualifying purchases and one for all other items. The reduction to the 2% tax on qualifying items went into effect on Monday, January 1st. (WIBW)