Barton County

Investigators in Barton County say a person already in custody is now also under arrest in connection with a homicide last November. Hunters found the body of Damon Galyardt near Great Bend on November 12 of 2011. Several days later police arrested a man on unrelated charges, but did say he was a person of interest in the case. Monday, the Barton County Sheriff's Office says that person of interest is now under arrest on suspicion of first degree murder. The office says the arrest comes after lab tests, subpoenaed telephone records and interviews.

A judge denied Adam Longoria's motion for a change of venue Monday afternoon according to a court officer. Longoria's attorneys spent most of a hearing last week talking about things they wanted for his March murder trial.  Longoria is charged with killing 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt in August of 2010.  Her burned body was found at an asphalt plant, where Longoria worked. Longoria's attorneys wanted his trial moved to another county.  It was the first motion to be discussed in court.

A Hoisington man leads authorities on a three county chase. Sunday night, authorities say a 32-year-old man stole from a Wal-Mart in Great Bend.  When law enforcement tried to stop him, a chase began in Barton County and went into Stafford County. Around 7 p.m., Pratt County was notified that the chase was continuing into its jurisdiction.  Pratt deputies set up two roadblocks and put down stop sticks.  The suspect hit the stop sticks, but was already driving on rims after hitting a tire deflation device in another county.  Pratt deputies say at this point the suspect was driving about 60 miles an hour.

A Claflin woman dies in an early morning accident in Barton County. The crash happened on Highway 156 around 3:30 Wednesday morning. The Barton County Sheriff's Office says a car driven by 20-year-old Rachael Stueder went left of center. Investigators say a semi hauling two trailers swerved to avoid the car, but the second trailer didn't clear in time. The Sheriff's office says Stueder's car hit the second trailer. Stueder died in the crash, and a passenger in her car was hurt.

A man accused in a 2010 double shooting in Barton County dies over the weekend in the Barton County Jail. The Barton County Sheriff's Office says Shawn Ney was reported as unresponsive just after 1:00 a.m. on December 10. When ambulance crews arrived, investigators say crews found Nay had no pulse, and the county coroner's office was notified. The KBI was called in as part of the investigation. Officials with the Barton County Sheriff's Office have not released any details on how Ney died.

Barton County authorities police are looking for those responsible for damaging or destroying dozens of headstones at a cemetery just north of Hoisington. Some of those headstones have been in place for well over 100 years. Those with information are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 792-1300 or 1-888-305-1300.

Burning will not be allowed in Barton County for at least another week. Monday, Barton County commissioners voted to extend the burn ban to August 1. According to a press release issued by Emergency Management Director, Amy Miller, "Due to extremely dry weather conditions an extreme fire hazard continues to exist. " The release goes on to say that over the last seven days, the county received a measurable rainfall but still continues to experience severe drought. During that time, Barton County fire departments responded to fires in ditches, a CRP field fire started by lightning and a large hay shed fire Anyone who violates that ban may be fined up to $2500.

Authorities in Barton County are looking for an 11-year-old child. Ryan Durland was last seen in the Twin Lakes area in Great Bend, Kansas at around 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Authorities describe him as being 4'8" and possibly 90 pounds, with sandy blonde hair, wearing an orange and white shirt, blue jeans and yellow croc shoes.  He is autistic. Search parties are out looking for him now. If you have any information you are asked to call authorities in Barton County.

The Barton County Commission declares a local disaster emergency and implements a burn ban due to continued dry weather. The burn ban starts Monday, May 16th. Under the ban open campfires and fires are prohibited. Burns of fence rows, fields and other debris must have a written permit from the fire chief. Officials in Barton County say, if you want to burn, you must first contact local fire officials to obtain a permit. Violators could face fines of as much as $2,500. The disaster emergency and burn ban will be in effect until May 23rd.

Steven Calderwood, who was shot Saturday in Barton County, died Tuesday at Wesley Medical Center. Investigators believe Calderwood and his sister-in-law Sarah Ney were shot by Ney's husband, Shawn. He is being held in the Barton County Jail without bond. Ney is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.  ------------------------------------- Sunday, July 10, 2010 The Barton County Sheriff's Office arrested Shawn Ney Saturday night.