A large grass fire was reported along southbound I-435 near Wolcott Drive at 3:11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, according to KC Scout. (KC Scout photo)
A large grass fire was reported along southbound I-435 near Wolcott Drive at 3:11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, according to KC Scout.
The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department reported that dispatchers received numerous 911 calls about a large grass fire in the area of K-7 and Donahoo Road.
Motorists were asked to be careful around this area, as smoke and high winds could decrease visibility north and northeast of K-7 and Donahoo, according to the fire department post on social media.
Some round hay bales and building materials may have been on fire, and no structures were involved, according to the fire department. There were no injuries.
The high winds today made the fire difficult to extinguish, according to the fire department. The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department and Leavenworth County Fire Department were working to help contain the fire.
Victim suffers gunshot wound while unloading firearm
A victim was unloading a firearm in order to clean it about 6:10 p.m. Dec. 17 when the gun went off accidentally, according to a social media note by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department.
The victim had a minor injury to his hand, according to the report. The victim was taken to a hospital by his family for treatment, the report stated.
Kansas City, Kansas, police are asking for the public’s assistance in investigating Mario Randolfo Urzua-Almazan, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas, who has been providing healing services to members of the community.
“During the course of an extensive investigation by the KCKPD Special Investigations Unit, a number of individuals came forward with reports of being sexually assaulted by Mr. Urzua-Almazan,” Nancy Chartrand, public information officer with KCKPD, said. “Late last month our investigation led detectives to reach out to the public via social media asking that any individuals who had sought treatment at any time in the last five years from him, contact our detectives regarding an active investigation.”
Urzua-Almazan, 50, has been providing “healing services” primarily to members of the Hispanic community, including at a house at 12th and Minnesota, according to police.
Based on information gained by detectives, including victim statements, he was arrested last month and charged through the Wyandotte County District Attorney’s office. He is being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on five counts of felony aggravated sexual battery and five counts of sexual battery. Bail was set at $50,000.
Details regarding the investigation were not released by detectives in the post made to the KCKPD’s Facebook page in November. However, based on that post, an additional seven individuals have come forward with similar reports of being sexually assaulted by Urzua-Almazan.
“Through the investigation, detectives have gathered information leading them to believe there are potentially other victims who simply are yet to hear our request,” Chartrand said. “That is why we are now expanding the reach of that request by asking for the media’s assistance.”
Anyone who has sought treatment from Mario Randolfo Urzua-Almazan or Don Mario as he is frequently referred to, or would simply like to share information regarding him, is urged to contact Detective Michael Eckel with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit at 913-573-6069 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. All contact will be kept confidential. Translation services will be provided.
