Woman indicted for illegally re-entering country

Juana Guerrero-Lopez, 55, Edwardsville, Kan., has been charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. She was found Feb. 6 in Wyandotte County, Kan., according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jabari Wamble is prosecuting.

Graffiti cleaned up on I-35

Crews cleaned graffiti from signs on I-35 in Kansas City, Kan., on Thursday. (KDOT photo)

Signs were cleaned up Thursday on I-35 near the Southwest Boulevard ramp in Kansas City, Kan.

According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, KDOT crews cleaned graffiti off the signs with a solvent cleaner, and sawed off the existing catwalk to deter further access onto the sign.

The repair cost taxpayers about $1,000 to $1,200, a KDOT spokesman said.

 – Story and photo from Kimberly Qualls, KDOT

Piper girls to compete in state basketball semifinals Friday

The Piper High School girls basketball team advanced to the state semifinals with a 77-70 victory over Coffeyville March 12. Here they pose with a trophy following the substate victory. (Piper file photo)

by Mary Rupert

The Piper High School girls basketball team made the final four, advancing to the state semifinals with a 77-70 victory March 12 over Coffeyville.

The Lady Pirates advanced to the semifinal game, which will be at 6:30 p.m. March 14 in Salina, Kan., vs. No. 1 seed, Wamego. Both teams have won at least 20 games this season.

Doug Key, Piper athletic director, said Wamego has a 23-0 record this season with a 39-game winning streak. Piper this year is 20-3.

Key noted that Wednesday night’s victory over Coffeyville was probably the most points scored all year by the Lady Pirates.

He said Piper players who led in Wednesday’s scoring included Haley White, Megan Woolley and Jessica Wayne.

“Everybody that played really contributed last night,” he said. “It was a great team victory.”

In other high school basketball action, Washington High School lost 73-47 to Highland Park on Wednesday in Class 5A boys competition.

Sumner Academy (10-12) takes on McPherson (20-1) in Class 4A boys basketball competition at 6:30 p.m. March 13.