Kansas Klips

Phillips Co. man arrested on suspicion of multiple drug offenses

GLADE — Last week Monday, an arrest was made in connection to a search warrant executed on July 16, 2022, in Glade. During the execution of the search warrant, items were located that indicated they may be components of a methamphetamine lab. Kansas Bureau of Investigation Clandestine Laboratory Response Team responded and collected the items of concern. Those items were transported to the KBI for analysis which revealed they were, as suspected, meth lab components. Phillips County officers served an arrest warrant on Jimmie C. Lamb, 40, Glade, and took him into custody without incident. Lamb was arrested on suspicion of unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lamb is being lodged in the Phillips County jail with a $250,000 bond. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. (Phillips County Sheriff’s Office)

Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks catch nearly 80-lb. blue catfish from Kansas River

WICHITA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks (KDWP) Fisheries Division recently posted on their Facebook page that they caught a nearly 80-pound blue catfish from the Kansas River. “KDWP invasive species biologists have been sampling on the Kansas River to remove invasive carps (Bighead and Silver Carp) this winter,” according to the KDWP Facebook page. While out on the river recently, the KDWP Fisheries Division says they caught what they are calling a “Kansas River Monster,” a blue catfish that weighed nearly 80 pounds. (KDWP)

Jury finds Kansas man guilty of double-murder

HUTCHINSON — A Reno County jury last Thursday found 37-year-old Kyle Hardwick guilty in the August 2021 deaths of 56-year-old Marion “Ed” Bates and 58-year-old Phillip Anstine, both of Hutchinson. Hardwick was convicted of two counts of intentional and premeditated murder in the first degree and one count of theft of property or services, valued at $1,500 to $25,000, along with one count of theft of property or services of a firearm with a value less than $25,000 and a count of solicitation of perjury; testify to material fact in felony proceeding. Police arrested Hardwick Sept. 1, 2021, in Maize after he was listed as a person of interest after authorities discovered the bodies of Bates and Anstine on a property in eastern Reno County. The state called upon over 45 witnesses to testify in the case, as well as presented over 110 pieces of evidence. Sentencing is set for April 7. Hardwick remains in jail without bond. (HutchPost.com)

Two accused of attempting to sell meth

GARDEN CITY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug allegations. Early Monday, Jan. 31, police officers and the Garden City/Finney County Joint Drug Task Force conducted a traffic stop in Garden City, according to a media release. Officers made contact with 25-year-old Jessica Esparza-Gallegos, Garden City and a transient identified as 26-year-old Rodolfo Garcia. After further investigation, a search of the vehicle was conducted, where suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were located. Esparza-Gallegos and Garcia were arrested at the scene and are being held on requested charges that include Possession of Methamphetamine w/ Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. (GreatBendPost.com)

Governor: 2nd largest economic development project in Kan. history

TOPEKA — Last week, Governor Laura Kelly announced Kansas-based Integra Technologies plans to invest $1.8 billion in a large-scale semiconductor facility in Wichita. This is the second- largest private investment in Kansas history. The facility will establish Wichita as integral to a national effort to reshore semiconductor manufacturing capacity and strengthen national security. Employee-owned Integra is a fully integrated provider of semiconductor packaging, testing, qualification, and other services. The 1 million square-foot plant and headquarters facility will create nearly 2,000 high-paying jobs averaging $51,000 in wages. A Wichita State University economic impact study estimates an additional 3,161 jobs will be generated by suppliers, construction labor, and other service positions. In July 2022, Governor Kelly announced Panasonic Energy’s plans to build a $4 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in De Soto, the largest economic development project in Kansas history.