Investigation

Free food and campaign politics. That's at the center of a new ethics investigation into a candidate who's running for a Wichita City Council seat. Four people are trying to replace former Council member Michael O'Donnell, who left District 4 to take a State Senate seat. Now a campaign flyer is causing some division between the candidates. The investigation involves a flyer from candidate Craig Gabel. He's passed it out door-to-door for his campaign, but on the back there is a coupon for a free $5.99 chicken fry dinner or half off a meal at Gabel's restaurant.

Wichita Police are searching for a suspect accused of robbing an east Wichita discount store. Officers were called to the Dollar General, 2020 E. 21st. St., around 10 p.m. Friday. Police said a man walked into the store around closing time, ordering the employees to open the safe. The man took cash after the first safe was opened, then ran away. The employees were not hurt during the crime. Police are also investigating a robbery that occurred at this location Sunday night.

The Exploited and Missing Children's Unit with the Wichita Police department is investigating a child endangerment case after two young children were found home alone overnight. A neighbor called police around 3:30 a.m. Friday, concerned that two children were inside a southeast Wichita home alone. Officers arrived to find a 2-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy, unsupervised. Lt. Doug Nolte, Wichita Police, said the children were released to family members. Authorities have been in contact with the children's parents.

A former Solomon teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with high school students is now in police custody. Amber Stroda, 28, turned herself in to authorities Wednesday morning, one day after a warrant was issued for her arrest. She is charged with three counts of feloniously engaging in consensual intercourse and three counts of feloniously engaging in sexual sodomy. The two alleged victims are Solomon high school students. Jim Runge, USD 393 superintendent, said Stroda was a third grade teacher and a high school dance sponsor.

The Wichita School District placed an elementary teacher on leave.  A district spokeswoman tells Eyewitness News that a report was made against a teacher at Gammon Elementary. The spokeswoman says the teacher will remain on leave while an investigation takes place.  She did not release specifics about allegations against the teacher. Stay with kwch.com for updates on this story when they are available.

"I was dumbfounded and just sat there like.. my purse is... my purse is gone!  The window's bashed out," said Charlene Burton.  She's one of the most recent victims of a crime Wichita Police say is on the rise, especially at city parks. But officers say there are ways to protect yourself. "It was right in this window right here," Burton said, showing where the thieves had damaged her SUV.  "And i'm guessing they used some kind of instrument because I don't think you can really punch these kinds of windows in. " Burton and her husband had everything right.

An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of death for a Dodge City toddler. Crews were called to a home in the 800 block of Johnson Thursday afternoon. They found a 21-month-old not breathing. The child was pronounced dead a short time later. The Dodge City Police department is investigating the case. No other information was available.

Police in Hays say they are investigating two unrelated sexual assaults. On Saturday, investigators say an 18-year-old woman reported being assaulted in the 2900 block of Canal. She told police she was followed for several blocks by two men, who then began to chase her. One man caught up with her and assaulted her, but the second man stopped him, and both men ran from the area. Early Sunday morning an 18-year-old woman reported being sexually assaulted at an apartment near Fort Hays State University's campus.

New details about a man impersonating a police officer here in Kansas. It's a story we first brought you last week. Police believe they've identified a suspect. Chief Gordon Fell of Belle Plaine Police says they believe Robert W. Helms has been impersonating police and cashing fradulent checks all over the state. Helms is wanted and has a criminal history of forgery, theft and kidnapping. Police have video of him passing the checks off at various businesses all over the state.

Two people are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in Barton County. Authorities were called to a rural home north of Hoisington around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Officers found a woman and a man dead inside the home. A juvenile was also found unharmed. The victims are identified as Michelle Heggemeier, 39, and Justin Heggemeier, 35. Investigators said Michelle was shot at close range. Justin died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The sheriff's department said a domestic dispute likely led up to the violence.