News

TOPEKA – The Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has been awarded a grant to new vehicle identification equipment, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. The 2023 Federal Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) grant for $64,193 has been awarded to purchase a radar-license plate reader system that will assist with combating drug use and transportation, human trafficking, vehicle theft, and improve officer safety. “ Providing the best public safety services and crime prevention requires a dedicated staff of local officials and access to the latest equipment,” Schmidt said. “ This grant will help advance local priorities for improving public safety.”

TOPEKA – The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) held their 40th Annual Session on Oct. 4-6 in Topeka. This was the first time in three years the SHL was able to hold an in-person Annual Session, as the 2020 and 2021 were both held in a Zoom only format. This year a Zoomlike option was also available, utilizing the Webex format at the State Capitol building. The SHL is the first organization to utilize this two-way communication format in the House of Representatives Chamber. This allowed the delegates “ attending” from home to be able to watch and hear the deliberations in the House Chamber, to ask their own questions or propose possible changes, and to be able to vote on the issues as presented, at the same time and manner as the delegates in the Capitol itself. The SHL greatly appreciated the hard work of the Capitol staff that made this happen.

BELOIT —Five people were injured in an accident just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday, in Beloit. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP), a 2020 Ford F150 driven by Max Chase, 86, Beloit, was southbound on Kansas Highway 14 approaching the US 24 intersection. Chase failed to yield right of way to a 2015 Chevy Silverado driven by Ryan D. Mackay, 41, Cawker City, who struck the Ford. After impact, the Ford came to rest in the ditch, facing eastbound, south of US 24. Mackay came to rest facing south of the intersection. EMS transported Chase and a passenger in the Ford identified as Naomi E. Chase, 82, Beloit.