Drivers may want to avoid construction near the Interstate 70 and Kansas Highway 99 interchange next week.

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a bridge repair project on westbound I-70 in Wabaunsee County on Monday. The project includes deck patching, concrete surface repairs and overlay on the structure over Pretty Creek just east of the K-99 interchange.

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One person is dead following a crash in rural Wabaunsee County over the weekend.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a 2009 Jeep Wrangler was westbound on Pavillion Road, northeast of Alma, sometime overnight Friday into Saturday when it left the roadway, went airborne, struck a ditch and then hit a tree. Investigators were not able to determine an exact time for the crash, but believe it occurred sometime between 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.

The driver, 59-year-old Danny Miller was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash report indicates he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash remains under investigation.

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Authorities are investigating after two horses were shot and killed over the weekend northeast of Eskridge.

The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post Monday morning the incident is believed to have occurred sometime overnight Friday into Saturday in the vicinity of Bradford and Mission Valley roads. The horses were used for therapy for veterans and first responders, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Sheriff Eric Kirsch says the animals were taken to K-State for forensic examination and the department is treating the incident “like a homicide. An attack on one of us, is an attack on all of us.”

The Sheriff’s Office is pledging $500 for the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

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A stolen vehicle pursuit that began on I-70 Monday afternoon ended in rural Wabaunsee County after the suspect crashed and attempted to flee on foot, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office.

The chase began Jan. 6 when law enforcement — including the Kansas Highway Patrol, Alma Police Department and Wabaunsee County deputies — attempted to stop a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound. The vehicle exited into Alma, drove through town, then continued north into the countryside before crashing near K-99 and Fairfield Road.

Deputies say the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Dylan Woodcox of Abilene, ran from the scene and attempted to hide in a nearby pond. He was quickly located by responding Kansas State Troopers, Alma City Marshal Mike Baker and deputies from the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office.

A nearby homeowner, Anthony Maike, also assisted by standing guard on his property during the search, according to the sheriff’s office.

Woodcox was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail on charges including fleeing and eluding, driving a stolen vehicle, driving without a license and on active warrants out of Dickinson County. Additional charges will be forwarded to the Wabaunsee County Attorney.

No injuries were reported.

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Authorities say a search warrant issued at a home in rural Wamego last week led to the discovery of drugs, weapons and explosives and resulted in one arrest.

According to a news release Monday, deputies from the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol searched a home in the 38000 block of Wabaunsee Road in the early morning hours of Dec. 10, for Michael Anthony Carver, a wanted felon. Carver was not found at the home.

The home’s resident, 43-year-old Caleb Fair was arrested on felony drug, weapons and explosives charges. He was later released on a $75,000 bond.

During their search, officers discovered illegal contraband, prompting a second search warrant and later recovered multiple firearms, including an illegally shortened 12-gauge shotgun with no visible serial number. Officers also recovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia as well as precursor chemicals and two devices consistent with homemade explosives. The devices were rendered safe and turned over to the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Investigators say Carver is not believed to be in Wabaunsee County. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

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A 29-year-old Alma woman was taken to the hospital Saturday afternoon after strong winds pushed her vehicle off the roadway in Wabaunsee County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 2:25 p.m. Nov. 29 on Southtown Road, just north of K-99. Troopers say the driver, identified as Chestina N. Randles, was traveling north when a gust of wind blew her 2015 Dodge Durango off the road. The SUV went about 20 feet down an embankment and landed on its passenger side.

Randles was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital with suspected minor injuries. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

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A Junction City couple died Monday in a crash on Interstate 70 in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 11:30 a.m. in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 330, just east of the McFarland Road exit. Authorities say a Jeep Liberty driven by 63-year-old Cheryl Martin drifted into the median, struck a culvert and rolled. A semi truck, driven by 53-year-old Robert Arnold, of Hays was entering the interstate from an entrance ramp when it struck the Jeep.

Cheryl Martin and a passenger, 65-year-old Perry Martin died at the scene.

According to the crash report, Perry Martin was not wearing a seat belt.

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A Topeka man was arrested Saturday night after deputies responded to a burglary in progress at a rural residence west of Alma, according to the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were dispatched late in the evening on October 11 to the 34000 block of Old K-10 Road following a report of an unknown individual inside a home removing items. When deputies arrived, they found and detained the suspect, identified as 63-year-old Gary Purvis of Topeka.

Authorities said multiple items belonging to the homeowner were recovered from Purvis’ vehicle, which was parked in the driveway of the residence. Investigators confirmed that Purvis did not have permission to be on the property or to remove any items from the home.

All of the stolen property was returned to the homeowner. Purvis was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Wabaunsee County Jail, where he was booked on one count of burglary. He remains confined on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

The Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office reminded the public that all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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A former Wabaunsee County correctional officer has been arrested following a probe by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities say 48-year-old Jeffery Patrick turned himself in Sunday at the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on a charge of mistreatment of a confined person.

The KBI says the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office asked for help in May after learning a correctional officer may have been taking money from an inmate for personal use. The alleged incidents happened between March and May at the Wabaunsee County Jail, where Patrick worked until he was fired in June.

Patrick was booked into the Pottawatomie County Jail. Investigators say no further details are being released.

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A Wabaunsee County man was arrested this week following an investigation into allegations of unlawful sexual solicitation involving an 18-year-old woman, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies said the report was filed Sept. 27, stating that a 58-year-old man met with the woman near Eskridge, provided her with cash and a condom, and is alleged to have solicited her.

Following an investigation, authorities on Sept. 30 arrested JD Hill, 58, of Eskridge, without incident. Hill was booked into the Wabaunsee County Jail on a $5,000 bond. He faces a charge of attempted buying sexual relations, hiring a person to engage.

The case has been forwarded to the Wabaunsee County Attorney’s Office for review of formal charges.

Sheriff’s officials said no further details will be released to protect the privacy of the victim and her family.

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