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Objections board rejects residency complaint against GOP candidate for Kansas House • Kansas Reflector

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Objections board rejects residency complaint against GOP candidate for Kansas House • Kansas Reflector


TOPEKA — A state panel agreed Friday to allow Republican Kyler Sweely to remain on the ballot as a candidate for a Kansas House seat in a Hutchinson district, despite concerns that he appears not to be living at the house he leased shortly before filing.

Reno County Republicans Robin Jackson and Dawn Varney objected to Sweely’s candidacy after compiling evidence that he doesn’t live at the residence where he signed a lease shortly before filing for office. But the Kansas State Objections Board — composed of Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Dwight Carswell from the attorney general’s office and Ashley Stites-Hubbard from the governor’s office — rejected the complaint.

The board members unanimously agreed with Sweely’s attorney, Ryan Kriegshauser, who argued the standard is low for establishing residency under state law. Because Sweely intends to renovate and eventually live at the house in Hutchinson, Kriegshauser said, he must be allowed to remain on the ballot.

Sweely, who is endorsed by the Kansas Chamber, faces Tyson Thrall in the GOP primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democratic Rep. Jason Probst.

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Robin Jackson, left, and Dawn Varney address the Kansas State Objections Board during a June 21, 2024, hearing in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Probst said in an interview earlier this month that Republicans engaged in “district shopping” to bring Sweely into the race, even though he had “no connection to our community.”

Sweely is a 26-year-old U.S. Army veteran who moved from Harvey County to Reno County on May 29, shortly before the June 3 filing deadline.

In a presentation before the objections board, Jackson and Varney presented evidence they collected by walking around Sweely’s residence in Hutchinson. They described an overgrown yard, rooms with no furniture, uncollected mail, the absence of trash service and a real estate lockbox on the door.

“I believe what we’re really seeing is an attempt to deceive,” Varney said.

Sweely told the objections board that he grew up in Kansas, joined the military out of high school, was deployed to the Middle East and eastern Europe, and had lived in five or six states before working as a legislative staffer this past session. Sweely was an administrative assistant to the House Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Avery Anderson, R-Newton.

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From left, Ashley Stites-Hubbard, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Dwight Carswell prepare for a meeting of the State Objections Board on June 21, 2024, at Schwab's office
From left, Ashley Stites-Hubbard, Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Dwight Carswell prepare for a meeting of the State Objections Board on June 21, 2024, at Schwab’s office. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Sweely provided a copy of the lease agreement he signed for the house in Hutchinson. He said he was working to improve the condition of the house while paying rent there.

Kriegshauser said the law is clear that candidates can move where they want before filing for office, voters should get to decide who wins the race, and the board for 30 years has consistently rejected residency-based objections.

The panel members, in brief discussion, agreed with Krieghauser’s interpretation of the law.

“My personal opinion would be that it’s on the Legislature to change it,” Schwab said.



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Kansas

Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust

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Sheriff: Carfentanil seized during Kansas drug bust


MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A series of recent drug arrests lead to taking methamphetamine and fentanyl off the streets in southeast Kansas.

On January 7, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a maroon Mercury Grand Marquis at the intersection of 10th Street and Walnut Street in Independence, Kansas, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Conrad photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Breeanna Conrad of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop. Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle. During the search, deputies located more than six (6) grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine, marijuana, multiple pills, and drug paraphernalia.

Conrad was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections, where she was booked on the following charges:• Distribution of methamphetamine• Possession of cocaine• Possession of marijuana• No proof of vehicle insurance• Improper emerging from an alley, private roadway, or building.

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Leach photo Montgomery Co.
Leach photo Montgomery Co.

Later on January 3, 2026, deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Saturn passenger vehicle at the exit ramp from U.S. 400 to U.S. 75 Highway, north of Sycamore, Kansas. The vehicle was occupied by three individuals. Deputies contacted the driver, identified as Heather Leach of Independence, Kansas, and informed her of the reason for the stop.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

Deputies developed probable cause to search the vehicle.D uring the search, deputies located more than nine (9) grams of methamphetamine, more than six (6) grams of suspected carfentanil, pills, and drug paraphernalia. Leach, along with Tyler Norton and Noah Daniel, both of Independence, Kansas, were taken into custody.

Norton photo Montgomery Co.
Norton photo Montgomery Co.

All three were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the following charges:Heather Leach• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernalia• Failure to stop or yield at a stop sign• No proof of vehicle insuranceTyler Norton• Distribution of fentanyl• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of drug paraphernaliaNoah Daniel• Possession of methamphetamine• Possession of a depressant• Possession of drug paraphernalia



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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday

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Kansas City man injured after single-vehicle crash Sunday


WYANDOTTE COUNTY, Kan. (WIBW) – A Kansas City man was left with minor injuries after a single-vehicle crash Sunday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log, the crash occurred around 5:50 a.m. in Wyandotte County.

A 2019 GMC Terrain was traveling eastbound on westbound I-70 in the outside shoulder when it struck the end of the concrete bridge railing for 134th Street.

The driver, a 23-year-old man, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt.

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View the KHP report HERE.



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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform

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Kansas Citians hold vigil, protest for Renee Good to get ‘justice’ while demanding ICE reform


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Large protests were organized across the country calling for justice for Renee Good, including in Kansas City, where Good lived before her move to Minneapolis.

Because Renee Good once called Kansas City home, locals still consider her one of their neighbors. They want her death to be a turning point in how ICE works.

The gathering began with a vigil as roughly 1,000 protesters honored Renee Good and everyone else who has died in ICE custody or encounters. Reports show that since President Trump took office again, more than 30 people have lost their lives in that category, marking 2025 the deadliest year for the agency in over 20 years.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Speakers call for reform

“The killing of Renee Good reminded this country of a hard truth: this system doesn’t just harm immigrants,” one speaker during the vigil said. “It harms the soul of our communities.”

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In attendance was Bradford Bray, an Iraq War veteran who served in the Air Force and Navy from 1995-2005. He said he is furious about how ICE operates.

“It’s the constitution. That’s what we’re fighting for,” Bray said. “It’s the land of laws. These people are not trained. They’ll hire anybody with a signing bonus. If these people are trained, I’m the Pope.”

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

Like most in attendance, he disputes arguments by the federal government that Renee Good was trying to run over the ICE agent.

“Even the guy that shot her was filming her and she said I’m not mad at you,” Bray said. “She was pleasant. She was just trying to get out of the way and do the right thing. She was turning her wheels to get out of the way when she was shot.”

March moves through Plaza

After the vigil, most of the crowd turned the protest into a march through the Plaza, spreading the message that killings by federal agents cannot become the norm.

Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported,...
Hundreds gathered in Kansas City to protest after multiple federal shootings were reported, including the fatal shooting of former community member Renee Good.(KCTV5/Alex Love)

“I’m a 71-year-old great-grandmother who’s afraid for the future of my great-grandchildren in a country that’s turning fascist,” Terisa Mott said. “Any of them could be grabbed off the streets or shot like they shot that woman.”

Counter-protesters present

Some Trump and ICE supporters, like Scott Watts, were among the crowd. He sent condolences to Renee Good’s family but said he believes illegal immigration should not be tolerated.

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“I spent time at the southern border and I saw thousands of pretty dangerous people being let out of that border,” Watts said. “That are here now and that’s what Trump’s trying to do is protect us.”

Watts carried a sign highlighting American citizens who had been killed by illegal immigrants over the years, including Mollie Tibbetts of Brooklyn, Iowa, who was stabbed to death while jogging in 2018 by Christian Behena Rivera.

“I’m at a loss for words when it comes to stuff like this,” Watts said. “But I’ll stand out here day after day to try to educate people. I don’t want to fight or anything like that. I just want people to realize there’s dangerous people out there and they need to be aware of those people.”

The gathering stayed peaceful, and traffic kept moving smoothly.

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