Sumner County

Emergency dispatch says 911 service has been restored in the southern half of Sumner County. Service was down most of the day due to a break in fiber optic cables. Expect updates on-air, online and on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/KWCH12 ).

Fire officials in Sumner County say an early morning house fire serves as a warning to get your heaters and chimneys checked before the cold is here for good. Investigators say a bad furnace or wood-burning stove is likely to blame for a blaze near Belle Plaine Friday morning. The Sumner County fire captain says the man who lives in the house smelled smoke in his attic, went to go look and found flames. It took crews more than three hours to douse the fire.

A man from Oxford, Kansas is killed in a Sumner County crash. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the SUV and a truck collided on U-S 160 just before noon Wednesday. Investigators say the SUV driven by Layne Parson of Oxford veered into the truck's path. Parson died in the crash. Police say he was not wearing a seat-belt. The driver of the semi was hurt. The extent of his injuries is not known.

Word spread quickly across Sumner County when the the Lottery Review Board voted to put the casino in Mulvane instead of Wellington. "My daughter called and said that the casino was accepted for Mulvane," said Cathy McKerracher. She said she's happy her home town was chosen. "We're so glad that it's over with. " That sense of relief was felt across Mulvane. About 30 minutes away in Wellington, while people were disappointed, they were happier that a decision was made.

Sumner County authorities say a farmer shot and killed a man in a rural part of the county.  The shooting happened around 5:30 Monday night in the 800 block of east 140th St. South.  That's near the town of South Haven. The Sumner County Sheriff Department says a man didn't pay a toll on the Kansas Turnpike. When state troopers approached the vehicle, the driver got out of it and ran. Officials warned farmers in the area to look out for that man. Later in the evening, a farmer, who was armed with a shotgun, spotted the man on his property.

Money is the number one thing the Lottery Review Board looked at when considering a casino for Sumner County.  Wednesday in a six to one  vote, review board members chose a Mulvane casino, the Kansas Star casino by Peninsula Gaming.  Review board chairman Matt All says it was a tough decision because both proposals were well done and would have benefited Sumner County.  But the review board was designed by lawmakers to consider three...

A baby from Texas has died after an accident in Sumner County. It happened on Highway 177, near South Haven, Friday afternoon. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Tabitha Rushing, 31, was driving north, when the SUV she was driving left the roadway. Rushing over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll. The driver was treated at the scene. A passenger, 6-year-old Ella Rushing, was taken to a Wichita hospital for treatment. Six-month-old Azura Rushing died at the scene. Investigators said the child was not properly restrained.

A baby from Texas has died after an accident in Sumner County. It happened on Highway 177, near South Haven, Friday afternoon. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Tabitha Rushing, 31, was driving north, when the SUV she was driving left the roadway. Rushing over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll. The driver was treated at the scene. A passenger, 6-year-old Ella Rushing, was taken to a Wichita hospital for treatment. Six-month-old Azura Rushing died at the scene. Investigators said the child was not properly restrained.

An infant from Texas is killed when the S-U-V she was riding in rolled over. The accident happened yesterday afternoon in Sumner County on highway 177 south of South Haven. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the infant was not properly restrained when the crash happened. A 6-year-old - who was properly restrained - was also hurt and taken to a Wichita hospital.

City leaders in Conway Springs have voted to replace their police chief. April Addis was appointed Chief of Police in the small Sumner County community in 2011. But some city council members said changes needed to be made. The city voted during a meeting Tuesday night not to reappoint Addis as chief. Dozens of people packed the city council meeting Tuesday night in support of Addis. "I've heard nothing bad about her, and, she's great," said T.J. Sones, council member.

Emergency crews responded to a collision involving a train and car in Sumner County.  It happened after 2:30 near Seneca and 40th Avenue near Wellington. Authorities say a person on the scene died, but they say it was a suicide.

An Argonia woman has died after a crash involving a semi in Sumner County. Crews responded to the scene on Highway 160, about a mile east of Argonia, around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Linda Haskin, 57, was driving west, when her vehicle crossed the center line and hit a semi. The vehicle lost control, sliding into the ditch and striking a guard rail. The vehicle came to rest on its top in the bottom of the creek. Haskin died at the scene.

Sumner County authorities say a farmer shot and killed a man in a rural part of the county.  The shooting happened around 5:30 Monday night in the 800 block of east 140th St. South.  That's near the town of South Haven. The Sumner County Sheriff Department says a man didn't pay a toll on the Kansas Turnpike. When state troopers approached the vehicle, the driver got out of it and ran. Officials warned farmers in the area to look out for that man. Later in the evening, a farmer, who was armed with a shotgun, spotted the man on his property.

Snow is falling in Sumner County this afternoon.  Eyewitness News has received reports of snow in Wellington and Caldwell.  There are also some flurries in the Anthony area. Click here for a live look at the snow The snow is supposed to stay light in extreme south central and southeast Kansas.  Those living in southwest Kansas woke up to a little snow Tuesday. Liberal received about an inch.  It didn't stop the annual Pancake Day Races.  To stay on top of the changing weather conditions, download the Storm Team 12 App for streaming video of our Always On Storm Team 12 Weather Channel ,  interactive radar, and current conditions by zip code.  Also download the KWCH App, where you can also watch streaming video of Always On Storm Team 12.  There you can also send us your storm shots and receive weather alerts.  The Apps are free to download for i-Phone, i-Pad and Android.

11 Sedan, KS (Chautauqua County) 6:30pm CST The talk will be held at the VFW located at 520 W. Walnut.         13 Eureka, KS (Greenwood County) 6:30pm CST Talk will be held at the Eureka High School Auditorium.     20 Lincoln, KS (Lincoln County) 6:30pm CST The talk will be at Lincoln High School located at 701 E. North St.     21 Salina, KS (Saline County)

A Sumner County jury has convicted a man accused of making and selling drugs and illegal possession of a firearm. John David McConnell, 50, of South Haven, was found guilty of manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug precursors, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana without a drug tax stamp and criminal possession of a firearm. McConnell will return to court Feb. 28 for sentencing.

The Kansas Star Casino has meant lower taxes, money for students and teachers, and even lower electric bills. In just one year, the casino has had an impact on Mulvane and Sumner County. “The majority of it is good,” says Luciano Mottola, owner of Luciano's restaurant in Mulvane. He enjoying lower taxes and more customers since the casino opened. Others in Mulvane are also enjoying the benefits. “Honestly I was against it when they first opened up, but it has had a positive effect on the community,” says Donetta Summers who lives in Mulvane and works at the restaurant.