Wichita

Wichita city leaders are considering two different proposals develop an area of green space along the Arkansas River downtown. Developers are wanting to build on the land along the bank, across from the Broadview Hotel.  City officials are reviewing the proposals now and won't comment on the specifics.  But the downtown master plan for that area includes restaurants, shops and high-end residences. Andy Sleiman, Wichita resident, likes the idea. "We don't have enough entertainment here," he said.

Vandals went on a tire slashing spree in a northeast Wichita neighborhood.  Wichita Police are investigating several cases and a homeowner's association sent out a warning to residents. "I came out in the morning and there were several cars on our block that had flat tires," said Taylor Fell.  "Lots of them. " Those that know about the tire slashings are keeping a close eye on strangers right now because not even police have an idea yet of who caused the damage.

A Concordia woman remains hospitalized after colliding with a semi truck in northern Kansas. It happened on U-81 and 18th St. in Belleville around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Elizabeth Taylor, 50, was driving north in the turning lane of U.S. 81 when she made a right turn onto 18th in front of the semi. Taylor was taken to a Wichita hospital where she is listed in critical condition. A 2-year-old passenger was not hurt. The driver of the semi, Kenneth Quick, Geneva, Nebraska, was not hurt.

Wichita police are investigating after two cases where thieves drilled through gas tanks to steal gas from cars. One happened in the 2900 block of S. Emporia.  A 73-year-old man says someone drilled a hole in the gas tank of his 2001 pickup. In another case, a 39-year-old man heard a noise outside in the area of 2100 E. Maywood.  He went out to figure out what was going on and saw two men drilling a hole in the gas tank of a car.  The two thieves were scared off, but they did manage to steal some gas.  The rest spilled out on the ground.

"They didn't steal much, but the fact that they were intruded is very upsetting," said south Wichita resident Tiffany Cheatum. Cheatum's neighbors were burglarized while they were sleeping, but their house wasn't the only one hit that night The crime happened at three homes within six blocks in south Wichita. In each case, the burglar got in while the owners were sleeping inside. In all three crimes, the burglar got in through a main floor window. In two cases, the windows were unlocked.

The Wichita Police Department is asking for your help in identifying three shoplifters. The three were seen taking items from the West Kellogg Wal Mart store on April 8th. One of them pulled a gun on security personnel when they tried to stop them. Photos of the Shoplifters & Car All three, along with a child, left in a silver 4-door Pontiac. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (316) 268-4517.

Hundreds of fish died, now the City of Wichita has to pay up. At least 800 fish were killed in the Arkansas river when sewage got into the water last May. Now the city will pay more than $240,000 in fines to the state and that's not all. The dam along Lincoln street bridge is a popular place to fish. But last year about this time, people were told to stay away from the water and not eat the fish between the dam and the Oklahoma border due to a health risk. Today, the Arkansas River is okay.

They didn't cause any damage, but Wichita police are looking for whoever set chemical two bombs up outside an apartment complex on N. Market Sunday afternoon. One of those bombs went off. The department's explosives team rendered the second device safe and collected evidence from the scene. Police tell us the bombs are common devices that kids make. They are dangerous and can cause significant damage and injuries. Anyone who may have seen someone carrying the devices or setting them in that area is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 267-2111.

I'll get to call Creighton a few more times at the Missouri Valley Tournament next week, but I'm not guaranteed a Blue Jays-Shockers matchup like I had twice over the weekend. It got me to thinking how much I'll miss the Jays and not just their competitiveness, but their people too. I've always enjoyed their administrators, coaches and athletes. In many ways Creighton and Wichita State had become each other's measuring sticks, both bringing out the best in the other as rivals should do. I think Shocker fans are going to miss the school they loved to hate.

Wichita police say an officer shot and killed a dog Sunday morning. It all started around 8:45 Sunday morning in the 1000 block of S. Meridian. Police say a 35-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter were walking in that neighborhood when two dogs, a white and black dog and a large brown boxer, came from a back yard and charged at them. The 12-year-old was bitten, enough to break the skin - but her injuries were considered minor. Police and emergency crews were called to the scene, at which point the dogs came back out and charged at officers.