TOPEKA —The Kansas Supreme Court this week will hear the appeal of a former Ellsworth Correctional Facility employee seeking to avoid being tried for murder.

Freddie Alec Thomas claimed immunity on the basis of self-defense in the 2015 Barton County shooting death of Jeremy Alan Saldana, 36. That claim was overruled by the Kansas Court of Appeals in 2017.

Thomas filed a petition for a review by the Kansas Supreme Court.

Issues on review are whether: 1) the district court correctly applied the law on self-defense immunity from prosecution; and 2) the Court of Appeals erred by reversing and remanding by finding the district court’s failure to make specific findings of fact precluded appellate review.

Thomas, a former Ellsworth Correctional Facility officer, was dating Saldana’s ex-girlfriend at the time of the 2015 shooting. It happened after Thomas went to visit the woman’s daughter and her husband, not knowing that Saldana was living with the couple. An unarmed Saldana was shot during a pushing match.

Thomas told a detective he’d heard Saldana was known to carry a weapon and could be violent.

The hearing is set for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in Topeka.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Police in Lawrence are investigating after three fossils were stolen from a display case at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum.

The fossils were reported missing Monday but were believed to have been stolen Friday or Saturday.

The university police crime log says someone pried hooks from a display case to open it and take the fossils. It’s not clear what kind of fossils were taken or how much they’re worth.

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ANTHONY, Kan. (AP) — A 3.7 magnitude earthquake centered near the Kansas-Oklahoma border was felt as far as 75 miles away, but no injuries have been reported.

The temblor happened just after 4 p.m. Tuesday and was centered in northern Oklahoma, about 15 miles south of Anthony, Kansas. The town of about 2,200 residents is 10 miles from the Oklahoma state line.

Light to moderate shaking was measured near the epicenter. People as far away as Wichita, 75 miles away, reported feeling the earthquake.

Dozens of small earthquakes have rattled the same area in recent days, but the earthquake on Tuesday was the strongest in the area in the last 30 days.

SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 321 have alerted the community of a reported school threat at Rossville Junior Senior High School.

“In an abundance of caution and transparency, we want to let you know that Tuesday we received a report threatening school safety,” according to Kaw Valley USD 321.

“After a thorough investigation, it was determined there was no increased risk to student safety. Law enforcement is aware of the report and we will continue to work with them in making this school a safe place.”

The district also reminded parents that the district needs the public’s help in stressing the seriousness of actions or comments like this. These actions, verbal or otherwise, will not be tolerated.

Authorities released no specifics on the reported threat or additional details.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A state agency has revoked the license of a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer who flashed his badge and threatened to use his gun when he was being kicked out of a bar last year.

The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training issued the order of revocation last week for 41-year-old Robert Ward. He was accused of threatening a bartender in nearby Johnson County while trying to pursue a woman during an argument.

He was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty in July to three counts of assault and one count of possessing a firearm while under the influence.

His employment with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department subsequently ended. Police didn’t immediately respond to The Star’s request for comment.

PATTONSBURG, Mo. (AP) — Court documents say a woman who was convicted of a deadly 2002 drunken driving crash in Kansas was high on meth when she was caught driving on the wrong side of a Missouri highway with two children in her vehicle.

Thirty-six-year-old Ginny Klitzing is jailed without bond on four felony and two misdemeanor charges, including driving while intoxicated as a persistent offender and child endangerment. She has pleaded not guilty.

Charging documents say she was under the influence with a 12- and 15-year-old in her car when she was stopped last month in northwest Missouri’ Daviess County. Court records say officers also found drugs in her vehicle.

Klitzing has a previous conviction for involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence in Sedgwick County, Kansas.

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BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a traffic stop.

Just after 11p.m. Monday, a police officer conducted a traffic stop in the 4300 block of 10th Street in Great Bend for an equipment violation.

Officers contacted the driver and only occupant of the vehicle identified as 32-year-old Alan D. Phillips.

While checking Phillips’ driver’s license, Barton County Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx arrived on scene. After preforming a sniff of the outside of the vehicle, K9 Maxx indicated to the presence of illegal narcotics. A search of the vehicle was conducted and methamphetamine and paraphernalia were located.

Police arrested Phillips  and booked at the Barton County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, driving while suspended and no proof of insurance.

He has two previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrrections.

TOPEKA — A fire at a Kansas home on Tuesday in being blamed on careless smoking.

Just before 1p.m., fire crews responded to a structure fire at  5409 SW 23rd Street in Topeka, according to Fire Marshal Michael Martin.

Upon arrival, crews found smoke and flames coming from the two story wood frame residential duplex. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack.

The occupant of the residence self-evacuated prior to the fire departments arrival.

The preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with improper disposal of smoking material. The estimated dollar loss is $35,000.00; of which $25,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $10,000.00 associated with contents loss, according to Martin.

Working smoke detectors were located within the residence.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City woman is accused of slashing the tires on eight police vehicles one day after her arrest.

46-year-old Eunice A. Fisher is charged with first-degree property damage.

A caller told police at 3 a.m. Sunday that a burglary was in progress at a bank. It turned out to be a hoax, but Raytown officers who responded to the call found out a total of 18 tires were flat on eight police vehicles. Damage is estimated at around $2,500.

Police say surveillance video shows Fisher damaging the tires. The officer reviewing the video recognized Fisher — he had arrested her the day before.

Fisher does not have a listed attorney. She is on probation for drug, motor vehicle tampering and burglary convictions.