Tag Archives: kansas

Convicted kidnapper killed in his prison cell

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LANSING, Kans. — A man convicted of aggravated kidnapping in Neosho County in 2005 is dead after investigators say he was attacked and strangled in his prison cell.

Gary Raburn, KDOC

Guards found Gary Raburn, 62, unresponsive in his cell at Lansing Correctional Facility, Friday night after his 25-year-old cellmate summoned them. Officials say they attempted life-saving measures, but Raburn died. Prison officials said it appeared Raburn was attacked and strangled.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is charged with investigating suspicious deaths within the Kansas prison system. Investigators with the KBI say they have a suspect but are awaiting autopsy results before filing charges.

Raburn was released from prison in 2013 after serving eight years for an aggravated kidnapping charge. Prosecutors originally charged Raburn in June 2004 with rape, aggravated kidnapping, and assault on a law enforcement officer. He was convicted and sentenced in October 2005.

Raburn was sent back to prison several times and absconded from authorities in 2019. You can read his criminal history by searching the Kansas Department of Corrections website, here.

Parsons High School Teacher allegedly has inappropriate relationship with student

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PARSONS, Kans.- A high school biology teacher is accused of harassing a student at Parson’s high school.

The student alleged the teacher teased her and encourages other students to take part, sending inappropriate text messages, and inappropriate touching. The harassment started in February and continued til the student transferred schools in May. 

The student’s parents found the inappropriate text messages and reported them to the superintendent. The school conducted a Title IX investigation and put the alleged teacher on administrative leave after the last day of school. The Parents are still waiting on the conclusion of the Title IX investigation. 

The parents are upset with USD 503’s lack of urgency regarding the harassment. “Did nothing to him. Nothing. And she’s the one who’s having to change schools. He continued to teach. She had to go to a different class. There have been no repercussions to him whatsoever. we are just tired of the process,” said the parents.

Stress from the alleged teacher’s harassment killed the student’s passion for playing golf. “I haven’t played golf since state, can’t do it,” said the student.

Parsons’ Superintendent, Lori A. Ray, declined to comment. 

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Fair Season set to return to Kansas

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Will Morris from the K-State Research and Extension District stopped by the KOAM studio to talk to Tawnya Bach about the return of county fair season in Kansas. Four counties have fairs coming up – Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, and Wilson – and all have a variety of classes for entry. If you’d like more information about any of these four county fairs, we’ve provided links to each.

Crawford County Fair

  • Girard, KS
  • August 3-6, 2022
  • Click here for more information on the Crawford County fair.

Labette County Fair

  • Oswego, KS
  • July 16 – 23, 2022
  • Click here for more information on the Labette County fair

Montgomery County Fair

  • Independence, KS
  • July 27 – August 1, 2022
  • Click here for more information on the Montgomery Country fair

Wilson County Fair & Rodeo

  • Fredonia, KS
  • July 20-24, 2022
  • Click here for more information on the Wilson County fair and rodeo

Click here if you’d like more information about the K-State Research and Extension District or fair season.

Will Morris is a STEM 4-H Youth Development instructor. You can contact him at the following email address: willmorris@ksu.edu

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Miner’s Hall Museum ends tourism week with the Big Kansas Roadtrip

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FRANKLIN, KS — In a small, quaint town right outside Arma, KS — there sits a museum that’s a hidden treasure. If you need a hint as to which one we’re talking about then we recommend you give it a visit. It’s the Miner’s Hall Museum that swang by the studio to help kick off the end of national tourism week. It also is a part of the Big Kansas Roadtrip. Earlier this week, we covered the road trip that’s highlighting three counties in our area — Crawford, Bourbon, and Cherokee. Now, it’s our turn to highlight one of the stops along the way. Here’s some more information on the museum itself:

  • Located at: 701 S Broadway St., Franklin, KS 66735
  • Phone number: 620-347-4220
  • Open Monday through Saturday — 10 am to 4 pm.

 

Big Kansas Roadtrip:

Reveal of the Big Kansas Roadtrip

 

Carona Train Depot:

Larry Spahn rolls into the KOAM studio to talk about the Heart of the Heartland museum.

 

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Wildcat Wednesday: Stay Healthy, Live Strong

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FREDONIA, KS — Tara Solomon-Smith from the K-State extension office stops by the studio to talk about a program titled “Stay Healthy, Live Strong.” What is it? It’s an evidence-based program for older adults that last 8 weeks and includes 16 exercise classes. These classes meet twice weekly for one hour.

Benefits from this program include: increased muscle strength, improved balance, enhances flexibility, strengthening bones, helping control weight, lifting depression, reduces stress as well as risks for heart disease.

It also aims to improve health alongside the quality of life. The program incorporates the following: warm-up exercises, 8 strength-based exercises with or without hand and ankle weights, and cool-down stretches.

It’s on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting May 31st and runs through July 21st. It’s $20 per person. Checks need to be made out and sent to the following: Wildcat Extension District RM 1 615 Madison Ft. Scott, KS 66736.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Tara Solomon-Smith:

  • 620-378-2167
  • Or email her at: tsolomn@ksu.edu

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Larry Spahn rolls into the KOAM studio to talk about the Heart of the Heartland museum.

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Larry Spahn rolls into the KOAM studio to talk with Michael Hayslip about the Heart of the Heartland museum complex. The Heart of the Heartland is located in the former mining community of Carona, Kansas. The museum features a number of restored railroad locomotives, and is dedicated to providing railroad histories, short excursion train rides, and motorcar excursions. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Located 6769 NW 20th St, Scammon (KS), 66773
  • Open the first and third full weekends of June, July, and August.
  • Open 11 am to 5 pm, or by appointment

Go to facebook.com/HeartoftheHeartlandsTrainClub or Heartlandstrainclub.org for more information

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Jasmine Kyle introduces a furry friend looking for a forever home

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Jasmine Kyle from the SEK Humane Society dropped by the KOAM studio with Apollo – one of the many animals up for adoption at the shelter. For those who’d like to help out but are unable to adopt, the shelter always needs volunteers and foster families. Another way to help out is through the Doggie Bag Retail Shop. All proceeds from the Doggie Bag help fund the SEK Humane Society. During her interview with Tawnya Bach, Jasmine announced big news for the Doggie Bag: the grand opening of their new location at 514 North Broadway in Pittsburg. The grand opening takes place this Saturday, March the 12th.

You can contact the SEK Humane Society at this phone number: 620-232-1840.

Jasmine Kyle serves as the director of the SEK Humane Society.

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Frontenac Theatre Department talks “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

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Frontenac, KS — Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” is coming to Frontenac Theatre. Seth Harley stops by the studio with Abby Albright who stars as the main character Ariel to talk about what goes into a theatre production.

 

The play is held at Frontenac High School (201 S. Crawford St. in Frontenac). There are three different show times for you to attend:

 

  • Sunday — March 6th, 2:30 PM
  • Monday — March 7th, 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday — March 8th, 7 PM

Tickets are five dollars at the door and exact change is encouraged.

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Chef Anthony talks herbs and spices

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Chef Anthony from Pittsburg High School stops by to give you a lecture on how to pick your herbs and spices for your dishes. For example, he talked about fresh parsley and bay leaf. He also covered different types of salts and peppers he personally used. A favorite of his students was the espresso salt. It’s salt soaked in espresso beans.

 

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

International Showcase heads to Pittsburg State University

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Pittsburg State University hosts an International Showcase on March 5th. PSU students Marlon Merida and Claire (Yu-Hsuan Chen) sat down with Michael Hayslip in the KOAM studio to talk about the event. Here are some of the details:

  • The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Held at the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts
  • Food samples served from 5:30 to 6:45 pm in the lobby and art gallery
  • $1 at the door and food samples are $1 while supplies last
  • Performances start at 7:00 pm

Everyone is invited, not just Pittsburg State University students!

COPYRIGHT 2022 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.