WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — A Miami, Oklahoma man was killed on Thursday night after crashing into a tree in Cherokee County, Kansas.
The Kansas Highway Patrol says Asthy Zarred, 21, was driving west on Bagdad Road around 11:15 p.m. on Thursday night when he left the roadway and crashed into a tree.
Zarred was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The other passenger in the car, a 59-year-old man also from Oklahoma, was not injured.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kans. — An alleged break-in in Weir landed a Pittsburg man in jail on Monday.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a Weir home that afternoon for a report of an unknown person inside. When they arrived, they encountered a reportedly intoxicated 30-year-old Aaron Don Span.
Deputies arrested Span and, during a search of his vehicle, found electronics supposedly stolen from a local health organization.
Span remains in Cherokee County Jail on allegations of Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving Under the Influence.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. — Baxter Springs was the place to be for those last-minute Christmas shoppers.
The “Baxter Springs Chamber Of Commerce” held the very first “Merry Grinchmas” craft show.
The Grinch was there, sneaking around and taking pictures with families.
This all-day event was held at “Baxter Springs High School”.
It offered anything made with love, from baked goods to jewelry and home decor.
“When you shop with a small business, you’re helping benefit their families, better than you would a big chain store like Walmart. And everything is made mostly with you know hand-made stuff. They put a lot of time and effort and they really enjoy what they do,” said Jessica Moore, Baxter Springs Chamber Of Commerce.
Proceeds from today’s event will go towards graduation expenses for Baxter Springs seniors.
The chamber also collected canned goods donations to give to the local food pantry.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Flags will be flying at half-staff Wednesday through Thursday.
Wednesday is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. It was 81 years ago when a sneak attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck America’s naval base of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
The attack killed over 2,400 American service members and civilians and wounded over 1,000. In addition, the bombing raid destroyed nearly 20 American naval vessels and over 300 aircraft.
It was the final catalyst that brought the United States into World War II. The following day, Dec. 8, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Imperial Japan.
Governor Laura Kelly has ordered flags be flown at half-staff starting at sunrise Wednesday through sundown Thursday.
“I encourage all Kansans to join me in remembering those killed on December 7, 1941, and in honoring all veterans and service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country,” says Kelly in a news release.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kans. — An old favorite in Baxter Springs has a new location — in an old building. Don Juan’s Mexican Restaurant cut the ribbon on their new location Friday morning. After outgrowing their previous spot, they’re now set up on 13th and Military in Downtown. The building itself was quite old, but instead of demolishing the structure, it now has new life.
“It’s an amazing feeling. For us, for our family, for our customers but most of all for our employees. We’ve had great help along the way these past three years and it just feels, personally to me, amazing to be able to offer them a better working space. We’re not as crowded here. I just think that everybody’s really excited,” said Angelica & Juan Rodriguez, Owners.
Juan and Angelica say it’s truly a family affair, with family members sometimes working in the restaurant after they eat.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. – Authorities have released the names of three people shot in Baxter Springs on Monday.
Jeremy Murphy, 47, of Anderson and Craig Guinn, 59, of Pineville died at the Baxter Springs residence by gunshot wounds, the Cherokee County Kan. Sheriff’s office said.
Kyle Butts, 41, of Independence is in custody in connection to the fatal shootings.
A third victim, Seth Guinn, 27, of Pineville was taken to Freeman Hospital where he is listed in critical condition, the sheriff’s office confirmed.
Murphy and Guinn’s bodies were released to the Cherokee County Coroner pending autopsies which should be this week.
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) — Figures from the special traffic enforcement conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol over the Thanksgiving holiday show a nearly double increase in the number of arrests for DUI.
In 2020, 17 people were arrested for DUI. In 2021, that number dropped to 15. This year, 29 people were arrested for allegedly driving under the influence in Kansas.
The KHP says it investigated one fatal crash that appears to be DUI-related. Troopers say they also investigated two separate crashes that killed four people.
The KHP issued 1,087 speeding tickets over the holiday, which is 343 fewer than last year. In addition, there were 88 citations for adult seatbelt violations, compared to 103 in 2021. Twelve citations were issued for teenage seatbelt violations compared to eight in 2021, and 13 were given for unrestrained children, compared to 15 in 2021.
The enforcement ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27.
BAXTER SPRINGS, Kans. — A shooting is under investigation in Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves has confirmed a shooting has occurred.
Baxter Springs Police Department is handling the investigation.
Quapaw Nation Marshal’s Office has been called to assist the scene.
We have a crew on scene.
This is a developing story and more information will be updated as it becomes available.
GALENA, Kan. — This weekend marks the time when a majority of people will start decorating for Christmas.
Not the case for a Galena woman. She started weeks ago, and, by no means, is it the first time.
“It kind of started way back when we were little and it just has lived through ever since,” said Ashley Groves.
Ashley Groves is talking about her passion for Christmas decorating, something that is a big deal in the Qualls and Hall families.
She’s one of the grandchildren of the late Bill Hall, an icon in the Galena community.
She’s made it a big deal in the Groves family.
The mayor of Galena and business teacher at Galena High School, married to Cherokee County Sheriff, David Groves.
“I’ve, I’ve always enjoyed Christmas. It’s a special time of year,” said David Groves.
And the Christmas season for the Groves starts early, just after Halloween.
“I post my tree every year on Facebook, and now I do it with the preface that I don’t care about all the naysayers and all the haters that are gonna say something, because this is what I want to do and it’s my house and I’m gonna do it anyway,” said Ashley.
“Since I’ve known Ashley, I’ve never known her not to have a Christmas tree up, regardless of the time of year. She’s always got one up,” said David.
“I think it brings so much joy. I know everybody can’t say that about the holidays. There’s a lot of sadness and hard times, too, but there’s just something about lights on and Christmas music and the cooler weather that makes people happy,” said Ashley.
And, for the first time this year, the Groves will see Christmas through their son’s eyes.
They are parents for the first time.
“This year has been quite an experience. You know, this time last year, we didn’t expect to be new parents, but we’ve got a little one in the house this year, and we’re excited for Christmas and start making memories with him,” said David.
“Whether it’s my husband or my sisters or my parents, they could get through life without me. It’d be sad and it’d be hard, but they could get through life without me, but that little boy needs me. So, I think that’s been the biggest thing is there’s somebody in the world now that actually needs me and would be lost without me,” said Ashley.
Those decorations go up early, but when do they come down?
“She likes the tree up as long as possible. We usually go all the way through January, sometimes into February and, again, I just learn to embrace it and if it makes her happy, then I’m good with it, but, yeah, after Christmas, I’m ready to take it down,” said David.
Happy wife, happy life.
“That’s the way to go,” added David.
And there’s this, according to research listed in the “Journal of Environmental Psychology”, people who put up decorations early tend to be happier and friendlier.
MIAMI, Okla. – A school resource officer with a history of theft was given a city citation for allegedly shoplifting a sports bra and melatonin at the Miami Wal-Mart.
Christopher Bailey Corbit, 44, of Commerce, was issued two citations on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 by the Miami Police Department for larceny and shoplifting and theft by shoplifting.
The total loss was less than $30, according to the Nov. 17 Miami Police report. Corbit was banned from all Wal-Mart properties.
The Miami Wal-Mart store has “five open cases against Corbit at this time,” the report states.
Corbit is accused of placing items on top of each other and scanning one item and bagging two items through the self-checkout machines, the report states.
When confronted with the alleged theft Corbit offered to pay for the merchandise, the report states. Corbit then identified himself as a police officer, the report states.
Corbit is accused of stealing the following items according to the Nov. 18 report.
Galena, Kan. schools are out for Thanksgiving break, a message was left for school administrators.
Corbit is a veteran law enforcement officer with more than two decades of service.
His background includes stints with the Ottawa County Oklahoma District Attorney’s Office, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office, Baxter Springs, Kan. Police Department, Cherokee County Kansas Sheriffs’ Office, District Court of Cherokee County Kansas bailiff, Galena Kansas Police Department.
As a Galena police officer, Corbit was involved in a fatal shooting incident after the suspect lunged at Corbit with a knife.