Kansas Klips
Brinkman Memorial Highway designated in Norton County
NORTON — Bittersweet emotions swept over those who knew and loved former Norton Correctional Facility Sergeant Trent Brinkman, who was killed in 2020 in a tragic motor vehicle accident which occurred on the highway in front of the prison. Nearly two years have past since Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2247, designating the portion of K-67, from the southern limits of the Norton Correctional Facility then north to the northern limits of the facility in Norton County, as the COII Trenton J. Brinkman Memorial Highway. Since that time, those left behind to mourn Sergeant Brinkman’s death have remained steadfast in their efforts to privately fund the project and honor his memory through the installation of Memorial Highway signage. On Friday, Jan. 30, their persistence paid off as the Kansas Department of Transportation arrived on site to erect both memorial signs and complete the project, a touching tribute to a bright young light diminished much too soon. Sergeant Brinkman, age 24 at the time of the accident, was traveling to work on Sept. 23, 2020 to report for his shift when his vehicle was struck by a westbound 18-wheeler. Brinkman began his career at the Central Unit in Norton in May of 2015. (The Norton Telegram)
Gus, rhino calf born at Rolling Hills Zoo, dies
SALINA — Rolling Hills zoo announced that Gus, the southern white rhinoceros that was born at the facility on Dec. 9, 2021, died Sunday morning, Jan. 8. The zoo said Gus, who was known for his playful behavior, began exhibiting neurological-type symptoms the previous week which stayed consistent over the next few days. Despite the zoo veterinary staff’s extensive efforts to determine the cause of the symptoms along with help from veterinarians and rhino experts across the country and around the world, the answers they searched for did not come. According to the zoo, Gus’s body has been sent to the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy that may determine more about his condition. (SalinaPost.com)
Carr brothers move a step closer to death penalty
WICHITA — The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal for Jonathan and Reginal Carr, the brothers convicted in a Wichita crime spree that left five people dead. The crimes happened in December of 2000. When the brothers were sentenced to death in 2002, they were both in their 20s. With the Supreme Court’s decision, Jonathan, now 42, and Reginald, now 45, move a step closer to having that sentence fulfilled. The brothers were convicted in 2002 on four counts of capital murder, one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and multiple counts of rape, kidnapping and robbery. According to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, on his last day in that position, says the Supreme Court’s action means the Carr brothers have exhausted their direct appeals, and their convictions and death sentences are considered final, although they still have the ability to file additional lawsuits in state or federal court seeking to prevent their executions, and it is expected they will do so. (KSN News)
City council votes to allow chickens in city
OBERLIN — At the most recent meeting of the Oberlin City Council, allowing chickens within the city limits was on the agenda. City administrator Halley Roberson said the chickens would need to be kept in a designated structure, often referred to as a chicken coop, that needs to be fenced. The yards in which the chickens are kept will also need to have a fence around the yard. The coop itself will need to have a fenced area that will be large enough for the chickens to walk and run around for their health. And no roosters allowed—only hens. Steve Hirsch, city attorney, said the ordinance would need to designate the number of hens allowed within a given space. After some discussion, the council agreed on one chicken per every 600 square feet of yard, so that, if a family has a backyard that is 6,000 square feet, they could have as many as 10 chickens. A designated shelter for the chickens would have to be a proper chicken coop, not an abandoned shed, abandoned house or car. And finally, if the chickens get out of the owner’s yard, the owner would be held accountable, similar to a “Dog at Large” fine. (The Oberlin Herald)
