Kansas

Kansas man pleads guilty to helping steal Jackie Robinson statue

Published

2 years ago

May 9, 2024

Kansas man pleads guilty to helping steal Jackie Robinson statue

A man accused of helping steal and damage the bronze statue of baseball legend Jackie Robinson in Wichita, Kansas, pleaded guilty to the charges against him on Thursday, according to Sedgwick County District Court.

Ricky Alderete, 45, from Wichita, admitted to helping steal the statue from Jackie Robinson Pavilion in McAdams Park in January of this year and placing it in a pickup truck.

Alderete was among the suspects who authorities say cut off the statue at the ankles, leaving behind only Robinson’s feet. At the time, officials estimated the damage to be around $75,000.

Surveillance video captured at least three individuals entering Jackie Robinson Pavilion around midnight on Jan. 25, removing and departing with the statue, authorities previously said.

The statue was discovered dismantled and burned in a trash can fire on Jan. 30 in Garvey Park, authorities said.

A bronze statue of legendary baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson was stolen from a park in Wichita, Kan., Jan. 25, 2024.

Travis Heying/The Wichita Eagle via AP

On Thursday, Alderete pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal damage to property, interference with law enforcement, criminal damage to property, theft, making a false writing, and identity theft, according to a press release from prosecutors.

District Judge Tyler Roush told Alderete the maximum sentence is 229 months, or over 19 years, in prison and six months in jail. Judge Roush also said he could order Alderete to pay $41,500 to League 42.

The statue was crafted by artist John Parsons and donated to the community by League 42, a nonprofit named after Robinson’s number with the Brooklyn Dodgers that aims to introduce baseball to the youth of Wichita.

According to the Associated Press, League 42 paid about $50,000 for the sculpture, which was installed in 2021.

Alderete is scheduled to be sentenced on July 1.

Robinson is known for being the first baseball player to break the color barrier in the modern era of Major League Baseball. He played for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro leagues and the minor league Montreal Royals before being signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

The signing signaled the end of segregated baseball and led to other Black players joining the major leagues. During his time with the Dodgers, Robinson won Rookie of the Year in 1947, was named National League MVP in 1949, was a six-time All-Star and won the World Series in 1955.

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Kansas

3 hospitalized in Kansas City after Sunday morning house fire

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

3 hospitalized in Kansas City after Sunday morning house fire

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Three people were taken to the hospital after a house fire in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday morning.

The Kansas City Fire Department was called to the 3300 block of Askew around 10:37 a.m., when crews reported smoke on the second floor of a two-story house.

All residents in the house were able to evacuate the home on their own. The fire was quickly brought under control and contained to a single room.

KCFD transported all three residents to the hospital. Their condition is currently unknown.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

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Kansas

Kansas Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for Dec. 20, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2025

Press Room

The Kansas Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 20, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

04-05-28-52-69, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

Midday: 2-0-6

Evening: 3-9-2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning 2 By 2 numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

Red Balls: 13-26, White Balls: 08-21

Check 2 By 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

08-21-30-41-47, Lucky Ball: 15

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

09-12-34-45-50, Star Ball: 01, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Super Kansas Cash numbers from Dec. 20 drawing

07-08-17-20-32, Cash Ball: 19

Check Super Kansas Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Kansas Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at select Kansas Lottery offices.

By mail, send a winner claim form and your signed lottery ticket to:

Kansas Lottery Headquarters

128 N Kansas Avenue

Topeka, KS 66603-3638

(785) 296-5700

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a claim form, and deliver the form along with your signed lottery ticket to Kansas Lottery headquarters. 128 N Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603-3638, (785) 296-5700. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Kansas Lottery.

When are the Kansas Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3 Midday/Evening: 1:10 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. CT daily.
2 By 2: 9:30 p.m. CT daily.
Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Super Kansas Cash: 9:10 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Kansas editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Kansas

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Kansas museums see overall boost despite national attendance decline

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Museums across the United States are struggling with declining attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kansas institutions are bucking the national trend strong visitor numbers.

A recent survey by the American Alliance of Museums asked more than 500 museums nationwide and found traffic remains down since the pandemic began in 2020.

Kansas museum reports record attendance

The Kansas Aviation Museum experienced its highest attendance year ever in 2024, according to Ben Sauceda, president and CEO of the museum.

“2024 was our highest record attendance year ever as a museum, and so we’re seeing a lot of momentum around that,” Sauceda said.

Sauceda credited state programs for boosting museum visits across Kansas.

“Things like the Sunflower Summer Program that Kansas offers. That has been a huge boost to attendance in museums across our state,” he said.

The Gathering Place also reported increased traffic since the pandemic, according to museum officials.

Adam Smith, president and CEO of Exploration Place, said Kansas museums have remained stable.

“I think in general, Kansas is, you know, we’ve seen, we’ve been pretty solid, actually,” Smith said.

Financial challenges persist nationally

The national study shows one-third of museums reported loss of federal grants and contracts impacted them this year.

Museum leaders said institutions must adapt to succeed in the current environment.

“Even as museums, we are still businesses that have to operate in a manner of innovation and creativity. And so again, I think the ones that are finding success right now are the ones that are learning and finding ways to innovate and change and meet the demands of the market where they’re at right now,” Sauceda said.

Smith emphasized the importance of family engagement.

“And so finding ways in which families like to spend time together while creating unique learning or exposure opportunities is how you have to move forward,” he said.

Museums like the Kansas Aviation Museum continue advocating at the state level for renewal of the Sunflower Summer Program for the 2026-2027 season.

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