Month: May 2016

Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Wyandotte County

Pea-sized hail fell about 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.
Pea-sized hail fell about 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County.

Update: The severe thunderstorm warning has been canceled in Wyandotte County.

Update: The severe thunderstorm warning has been extended until 2 p.m. today in Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued until 1:15 p.m. for Wyandotte County.

Pea-sized hail was falling in parts of Wyandotte County about 12:30 p.m. May 26. Heavy rains were reported at about 12:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service stated that Kansas City, Kan., Bonner Springs, Edwardsville and other surrounding areas are in the path of the storm.

Large hail, heavy rain and winds of 60 mph are possible, the weather service said.

Residents are advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

The weather service said at 12:34 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located over Lake Quivira moving northeast at 25 mph.

There is a potential for hail damage and wind damage to roofs, and people and animals outdoors could be injured, according to the weather service.

Do not drive a vehicle through flooded roadways, the weather service said.

To keep up-to-date with weather information, visit www.weather.gov or listen to a weather radio.

Atchison man pleads guilty to kidnapping, killing 5-year-old girl

An Atchison man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of kidnapping and killing a 5-year-old girl.

The charges carry a penalty of life in prison, according to a statement from acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall and Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Marcas McGowan, 32, Atchison, Kan., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to one count of kidnapping resulting in death, and one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In his plea, he admitted that on July 18, 2014, he shot and killed the girl after he kidnapped her and exchanged gunfire with police.

The incident began with a domestic dispute between McGowan and his girlfriend, Christina Harris, the mother of the 5-year-old victim. During the argument McGowan threatened Harris with a gun and she called 911. McGowan put Harris’ daughter in his car and drove away as police arrived.

Police pursued McGowan as he drove through downtown Atchison, across the river into Missouri and then back to Leavenworth, Kan., at speeds up to 95 miles an hour. While fleeing from law enforcement, McGowan fired his gun at the officers. On a highway near the northwest corner of Leavenworth he crashed through a barricade and stopped the car. When he got out of the car, he ignored police orders to drop the weapon. The officers returned fire and shot McGowan, who eventually stopped pointing his gun at the officers.

In the car, police found the girl dead from a gunshot wound. Forensic evidence revealed McGowan had shot her at close range with a 9 mm handgun while she was in the car.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 6. Both parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of life on the kidnapping charge, which is the statutory minimum penalty. The firearm count requires a statutory minimum penalty of 10 years consecutive to the other sentence.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson was appointed as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the purpose of the federal prosecution. Beall commended Thompson, the Atchison Police Department, the Platte County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office, the Weston, Mo., Police Department, the Leavenworth Police Department, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the FBI, and assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask for their work on the case.

Walks cost T-Bones late; Lincoln takes series

T-Bones starter Sean Furney was strong for 78 pitches but walks cost Kansas City a run in the sixth, as Lincoln beat the T-Bones, 1-0, Wednesday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Furney allowed only two base runners through 5 2/3 innings, but then he ran into trouble.

After recording the first two outs of the sixth inning on eight pitches, Furney labored for the next 25 pitches. Four consecutive batters reached during that stretch. After a walk to Christian Ibarra, Furney gave up a single to Pat McKenna and then walked Luis Alen and Rene Leveret. The final walk brought in Ibarra and gave the Saltdogs a 1-0 lead. Evan DeLuca took over for Furney (1-1) and struck out Ryan Wiggins, ending the inning.

Kansas City didn’t have trouble getting hits against Lincoln starter Matt Larkins (1-0). The T-Bones recorded six against Larkins, but were unable to get a runner past second base. The T-Bones had nine hits in the game, with every starter recording at least one except catcher Cole Leonida.

It looked as if the T-Bones might get something going in the eighth inning when, with one out, Brett Wiley hit a double to the wall in left center, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple. Wiley’s risky run proved to be a missed opportunity for the T-Bones as Christian Torres then singled to center. Robby Kuzdale ended the inning by flying out to left.

With the win, Lincoln takes the three-game series, two games to one.

Kansas City (3-4) will head out for its first road trip of the season, starting with a four-game series at St. Paul. The first game, Thursday night, is scheduled to start at 7:05. All of the action can be heard online at TBonesBaseball.com.

– Story from Matt Fulks, T-Bones