Kansas Klips

Confirmed sighting of lost Kansas Red-Tailed Hawk used for education programs

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Harlan Red-Tailed Hawk used for educational programming escaped his enclosure on Monday, December 11th, according to a social media report from the Midwest Avian Foundation. The hawk, known as Harley, is a non-released bird with limited ability to fly. He had likely not gone far from the organization and was probably tucked up in a bush or tree with low-hanging branches. The bird is wearing leather anklets and two straps hanging down. If you see or catch him, notify the Midwest Avian Foundation at 316-214-7705. If you see him on the ground, you can try to catch him with a towel or blanket and put him in a box. (Hays Post)

Adam Sandler and friends stop in at the Wine Dive

WICHITA—Some Wichita employees at the Wine Dive in College Hill got a special surprise on Sunday night, December 10th, when comedian Adam Sandler stopped by after his show at Intrust Bank Arena. The best part was that he was not alone. Sandler brought his friends Kevin James, David Spade, and Rob Schneider to the local eatery. The Wine Dive stayed open late to accommodate the foursome. And they even snapped a photo with the staff. “It was an honor hosting them and their crew,” said the Wine Dive. (KWCH)

Small fire at Sunflower Elementary caused evacuation

LIBERAL—At approximately 9:40 a.m. on Thursday, December 14th, Sunflower Elementary initiated an Emergency Alert when they became aware of a small electrical fire in the kitchen. Out of an abundance of caution, all students were evacuated. Local law enforcement, EMS, and the fire department responded to the incident. Once there were no more immediate threats, everyone safely returned to their classrooms. (KSCB News)

Hays man leaves $193,000.00 to Hays Police and Fire Departments

HAYS—The Hays Police and Fire Departments will be able to purchase equipment and establish foundations thanks to a gift from a Hays man. Jack M. Samples, 90, passed away on January 30th, and in April, his estate donated $155,287.00 to the Hays Police Department and $37,000.00 to the Hays Fire Department. The largest portion of the police department’s gift —$47,000.00— will be used to purchase new patrol weapons with mounted optics. A new Hays Police Department Foundation will be established with $40,000.00 in partnership with the Heartland Community Foundation. This allows the department to receive funds and focus on new projects that they can’t use budgeted funds for, according to Chief Don Scheibler. The department plans to use $20,000.00 to partner with the Fort Hays State University Foundation and establish an endowed scholarship for the FHSU Department of Criminal Justice program. Five thousand dollars will go toward updating the Hays Police Department Challenge Coin, which has an old logo, with the remaining $20,287.65 to be allotted to the Public Safety Equipment Fund. The Hays Fire Department also plans to partner with the Heartland Community Foundation and will use $25,000.00 to establish the Hays Firefighters Endowment Fund. The fund will provide scholarship opportunities for the children of active uniformed members and grandchildren of retired uniformed members who spent 20 years or more serving the City of Hays. Fire chief Ryan Hagans said his department will use the remaining $12,900.00 to purchase new fire attack hoses and nozzles. (Hays Post)

Police helping make spirits bright this Christmas

LIBERAL—With Christmas just around the corner, the Liberal Police Department hosted its annual Shop With a Cop event on Saturday, December 16th. The money used for the program comes mainly through two fundraisers throughout the year, the first of which is the LP&C Golf Tournament in August, and the second is the Arkalon Trail of Terror in October. They also receive miscellaneous donations from the community. (Newsbreak)

Police search for Kansas suspect who shot a 14-year-old and 15-year-old

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Just before 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13th, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the intersection of 15th Street North and Poplar Avenue in Wichita, according to Office Juan Rebolledo. First responders located a 15-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and a 14-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right upper leg. EMS transported both victims to a local hospital with serious but no life-threatening injuries; both underwent surgery and are in stable condition. Detectives were working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and had not reported an arrest at the time of this article. (Hays Post)