WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man who was convicted of sexually assaulting two runaway girls in 2015 has been sentenced to more than 27 years in prison.

Jordan Lewis, 40, Wichita, was sentenced Dec. 21 in Sedgwick County District Court. He was found guilty on several charges, including aggravated indecent liberties with a child and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Prosecutors say Lewis offered a ride in November 2015 to two teenage girls who’d run away from a group home before he pulled a gun on them. Prosecutors say he drove the girls to a house, where he and another man sexually assaulted them.

Court records show 54-year-old Roderick Martin is also charged in the case. His trial on aggravated human trafficking and rape charges is set for February.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man died in an accident just before 1p.m. Friday in Shawnee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Harold E. Poertner, 73, Osage City, was northbound on U.S. 75 just north of 57^th.

The pickup left the roadway to the right and entered the ditch. The driver swerved the pickup to the left and attempted to re-enter the roadway.

The driver over-corrected, the pickup entered a counter-clockwise rotation, slid sideways across the northbound lanes, entered the median, and rolled into the west ditch.

Poertner was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on officer shooting, killing man while investigating false report (all times local):

5 p.m.

Police in Wichita, Kansas, say a prankster who lured police to a home in a “swatting” incident is responsible for a fatal officer-involved shooting.

A 28-year-old man was fatally shot by an officer Thursday. Relatives have identified him as Andrew Finch.

Deputy Police Chief Troy Livingston said at a news conference Friday that a prankster called 911 claiming to be an occupant of the home, saying he had shot his father and was holding his mother and a sibling hostage.

When police showed up, Finch went to the front door. Livingston says that when Finch reached toward his waistband, an officer feared he had a gun and shot him.

Livingston says Finch was unarmed and no one in the house was hurt.

The practice of making a false report to get a SWAT team to a location is known as “swatting.” It is most common among online gamers, but relatives say Finch was not a gamer.

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3:20 p.m.

The FBI is investigating the fatal police-involved shooting of a man in Wichita, Kansas.

A supervisor at the FBI office in Kansas City, Missouri, confirmed Friday that agents have been asked to join the investigation into the death of 28-year-old Andrew Finch. She declined further comment.

Authorities are investigating whether the shooting on Thursday stemmed from someone making up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon Finch’s home. The practice known as “swatting” is more common among online gamers.

Police say they were misled by a call indicating a homicide and hostage situation at the home. Finch was shot by an officer when he opened the door of the family home. His mother told the Wichita Eagle that her son was unarmed.

A spokeswoman says a company that runs online gaming tournaments is assisting authorities. UMG Gaming operates online gaming tournaments, including one for the Call of Duty game.

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1:40 p.m.

A spokeswoman says a company that runs online gaming tournaments is assisting authorities as they investigate the fatal shooting by a police officer of a Kansas man.

UMG Gaming operates online gaming tournaments, including one for the Call of Duty game.

UMG Vice President Shannon Gerritzen said in an email that the company is “doing everything we can to assist the authorities.”

Authorities are investigating whether the shooting of 28-year-old Andrew Finch in Wichita stemmed from someone making up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home. The practice known as “swatting” is more common among online gamers.

Police have said they were called to Finch’s home Thursday by a false report of a homicide and hostage situation and an officer shot him.

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1:15 p.m.

The mother of a Kansas man killed by police responding to a false report of a homicide and hostage situation says her son was “murdered.”

Lisa Finch told The Wichita Eagle that her son, Andrew Finch, was unarmed when he opened the door to the family’s home Thursday night after hearing something. She said he screamed and was shot. She said the family then was forced outside barefoot in freezing cold and that her granddaughter was forced to step over her dying uncle.

Police are investigating whether the call that led police to the home was a so-called “swatting” prank in which someone makes up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home. It’s more common among online gamers, although Lisa Finch says he didn’t play video games.

 

12:30 p.m.

A relative has identified a man shot and killed by a police officer investigating a false report of a homicide and hostage situation in Kansas.

Madeline Finch says the man killed Thursday in a Wichita home was her nephew, Andrew Finch. She said the family was “saddened” but declined to comment further. Police are investigating whether the call that led police to the home was a so-called “swatting” prank in which someone makes up a false report to get a SWAT team to descend upon a home.

Deputy Police Chief Troy Livingston says a 28-year-old man was shot as he came to the front door. Livingston didn’t say what caused the officer to shoot the man or whether he was armed. No one else was wounded in the home.

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting.

Just before 6:30 p.m. Thursday, police responded to a call of a shooting involving hostages in the 1000 block of McCormick in Wichita, according to Deputy Chief Troy Livingston.

The original call indicated an argument with a mother and that the dad was accidentally shot in the head and dead, according to Livingston. The shooter was then holding other family members hostage. Based on that information, police arrived to work a hostage situation.

When police arrived, a man came to the front door of the residence and an officer fired. The 28-year-old man was transported to a local hospital. He was pronounced dead just after 7p.m., according to Livingston.

Police are interviewing family members and worked to process the scene through the night. Despite what police were originally told, there were no other injuries and nobody dead inside the residence, according to Livingston.

The officer involved in the shooting is a 7-year veteran of Wichita police, according to Livingston.

Police are expected to released additional details later Friday.

TOPEKA —Kansans looking forward to a weekend of New Year’s Eve celebrations will have to contend with bitterly cold temperatures and windchills.

Saturday night into Sunday morning temperatures will plummet with potential wind chill values from 15 to 25 degrees below zero. In light of such a forecast, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management is reminding Kansans to take stock of their home and car emergency kits and use caution when traveling or working outside.

“The main concern over the next few days is the bitterly cold temperatures,” said Jonathan York, Response and Recovery Branch director. “These temperatures and wind chills can be deadly if you’re inadequately prepared.”

Emergency kits should include a minimum three-day supply of water (one gallon per day per person), nonperishable high-energy foods, extra blankets, flashlights and extra batteries, a safe alternate heat source, extra medications and other essentials.

If you have to work outside, observe the following safety precautions:

• Use many thin, warm layers rather than a few thick layers.  It will insulate better and allow you to strip off layers if the temperature climbs.
• Do not work alone, if possible. Working with a partner allows you to keep an eye on each other
• Work in short periods to avoid over-exertion

Outdoor pets are especially vulnerable to bitter cold and extreme wind chills. Bring outdoor pets inside if possible or ensure that they have a draft-free enclosure with straw-type bedding that is large enough for your pets to lie down, but small enough to hold in body heat if they must remain outside. Always make sure that your pets have access to food and non-frozen water.

For additional pet safety information, go to avma.org and for general winter preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.

If you must travel, make sure you and your vehicle are prepared. Check the fluid levels, ensuring that the radiator is winterized, the gas tank is over half-full, and there is plenty of windshield washing fluid. Check tire treads for adequate traction, and replace windshield wiper blades if they are worn.

Keep an emergency kit in the trunk that includes at least:

• An ice scraper and shovel
• Jumper cables
• Flashlights
• Sand or kitty litter for traction
• Extra blankets or clothing
• Non-perishable food
• A first aid kit
• Matches and candles or flares
• Tow rope or chain

On the road buckle up and properly secure children in safety seats

Road conditions are available through the Kansas Department of Transportation. Check conditions before travel by going to www.kandrive.org or on a mobile device, go to https://511mm.ksdot.org. You may also call 5-1-1 from any phone.

For a complete list of items for a home or car emergency kit and for other helpful preparedness information, go to www.ksready.gov.

BARTON COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating two bomb threats in Great Bend.

Just after 9a.m. Friday, a bomb threat was received for the Barton County Courthouse and the county-owned Court Services Building at 1806 12th Street in Great Bend. The 12th Street building hosts several departments including juvenile services, parole office, community corrections, and the K-State Extension Office.

Barton County Operations Director Phil Hathcock says he was notified by 911 Communications and law enforcement searched the building for just over an hour before an “all clear” status was given at approximately 10:15 a.m.

The buildings were evacuated and Deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Great Bend Police Department searched the buildings for any suspicious items. None were found.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the case and looking into the person or persons behind making the threat.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on proposed changes in the Kansas Legislature’s policy on sexual harassment (all times local):

11:05 a.m.

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle says training for lawmakers, employees and interns is the first step for the Legislature in addressing sexual harassment.

Annual training for legislators, employees, interns and lobbyists was among the recommendations released Friday by the Women’s Foundation. The Kansas City, Missouri-based foundation promotes gender equity and reviewed the Legislature’s policy against sexual harassment.

The current policy hasn’t changed since 1994 and does not require regular training.

Wagle said such training is a good place to start because education about sexual harassment is important.

Wagle’s and fellow legislative leaders were scheduled to review the proposals Friday afternoon.

The Women’s Foundation says the existing policy has “significant gaps.” The foundation also is calling on the Legislature to have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints.

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9:25 a.m.

A Missouri-based foundation is proposing that the Kansas Legislature have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints and bar secret settlements.

The Women’s Foundation also said Friday that the Legislature needs to create what the group calls a “non-fraternization” policy covering interns, legislative staff, lawmakers and lobbyists and ban gifts to interns.

The foundation released its proposals ahead of a Statehouse news conference Friday with Senate President Susan Wagle. The foundation promotes gender equity.

The Legislature’s sexual harassment policy has not been updated since 1994. It says that legislative employees’ complaints about harassment can be brought to supervisors or Legislative Administrative Services.

The foundation also proposes that elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists receive annual training.

The recommendations also call for more female legislative leaders.

 

 

9:25 a.m.

A Missouri-based foundation is proposing that the Kansas Legislature have an independent, outside attorney review sexual harassment complaints and bar secret settlements.

The Women’s Foundation also said Friday that the Legislature needs to create what the group calls a “non-fraternization” policy covering interns, legislative staff, lawmakers and lobbyists and ban gifts to interns.

The foundation released its proposals ahead of a Statehouse news conference Friday with Senate President Susan Wagle. The foundation promotes gender equity.

The Legislature’s sexual harassment policy has not been updated since 1994. It says that legislative employees’ complaints about harassment can be brought to supervisors or Legislative Administrative Services.

The foundation also proposes that elected officials, legislative staff, interns and lobbyists receive annual training.

The recommendations also call for more female legislative leaders.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Kansas City man has been charged with fatally shooting his estranged wife and running her over with a car.

Thirty-five-year-old Howard Tyrone Neely, of Kansas City, was charged Thursday with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Dec. 16 killing of Joegina Davis. Bond is set at $250,000. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.

Court records say a witness told police he was driving on a south Kansas City road when he saw Davis in the street. The witness said Davis told him that Neely shot and ran her over. She died at a hospital. Relatives told police Neely had abused Davis in the past.

Prosecutors say a shell casing recovered from a September shooting in Kansas City, Kansas, linked Neely to both crimes.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted bank robbery and have a suspect in custody.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – A former middle school football coach convicted of kidnapping, raping and killing a 10-year-old girl is asking for an acquittal or a new trial.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that attorneys for 49-year-old Craig Wood argue that he didn’t get a fair trial in a motion filed earlier this month. Jurors found Wood guilty last month of first-degree murder in the February 2014 death of Hailey Owens but were unable to reach a unanimous decision about whether to recommend the death penalty.

A judge is expected to decide on Jan. 11 whether Wood should be sentenced to the death penalty or life in prison. But first, the judge must rule on the motion for a new trial.

Arguments in the motion include that too much evidence was allowed into the trial.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — An attorney for the family of a black Kansas man fatally shot by police says family members believe officers violated his constitutional rights and did not need to use deadly force.

In an interview Thursday, attorney Gillian Cassell-Stiga also said police body camera footage shows that 30-year-old Dominique White was “clearly trying to run away” when two Topeka officers shot him Sept. 28 near a park.

Cassell-Stiga also disputed the local prosecutor’s claim in his report that the footage shows White reached toward a gun in a pocket just before officers shot him.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced Wednesday that he would not file criminal charges against the officers. He declared their use of force reasonable and showed reporters body camera footage.

Topeka police have launched an internal investigation.