49 News Now - An afternoon update of news and weather
4:41 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007
A mystery continues in the wake of a Florida bank robbery. An off-duty bank employee tells police that robbers used him as a human explosive. He had a bomb-like device strapped to his chest as he approached the Wachovia bank Tuesday in Hollywood, Fla. Investigators are trying to find out if the device really had explosives, though the man seemed convinced it was real. They're also trying to learn if the man was part of the robbery plot. Police say the employee passed a "significant amount" of money to two armed men he said had abducted him from his home. An investigation is on-going.
Sometimes a bargain just isn't worth it. What Shannon Whisnant thought was going to give him some tasty meals gave him a foot. The Maiden, N.C. resident bought this cooker at auction. When he got it home, he found a human foot inside. Police say the original owner left his amputated foot in the cooker, which he kept in storage. Whisnant has taken home all kinds of things from sales, but this one, he says, tops them all. "I didn't know what to do, you know, I mean I've never bought human remains like this in a grill. One time I traded for a shrunken human head, but this is off the wall," Whisnant said. Police say it is legal to keep amputated body parts if it is for religious purposes. Whisnant says he hasn't decided what to do with the cooker.
The Douglas County District Attorney's office has filed two counts of reckless second-degree murder against a woman police say caused the death of two highway workers. 48-year-old Ramona Morgan was also charged with one count of reckless aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in the injury of a third highway worker. The charge stem from an accident on U.S. Highway 59 Sept. 11. Read more here.
A mother and her small child were critically injured during an overnight fire. The fire broke out at an apartment at 917 Dreiling Road in Junction City. Firefighters say 3-year-old Evan Brown was air-lifted to Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. This morning, his mother Latisha is recovering in a Wichita hospital. Both suffered burns and smoke inhalation. Four other people were treated for smoke inhalation. Junction city's fire chief says the fire was caused by candles burning in the bathroom.
A nationally-registered historic clock tower on the former Menninger hospital grounds could one day house a hotel. Fueled by fears that the tower would be demolished, a group called the Tower Coalition has been working with design students from K-State to develop alternative uses for the tower building. The Coalition says the potential uses for the building include: medical clinic/offices, retail space, assisted living, corporate office building, hotel, school of nursing, other kind of school, apartments and multi-use area, such as a cafeteria with an auditorium.
The principal at Whitson Elementary puckered up this morning for an intimate moment with a pig. The school assembly featured Petunia the pig. But the students did more squealing than the pig did as their principal gave this little oinker some love. This was the prize for students who raised more than 200 dollars at a school carnival held earlier this fall. The third grade raised $80 dollars -- the most of all the grades -- so their teachers also had to plant one on the pig. The money raised will go towards school activities.
In weather, area highs in the middle to upper 70s. That will be the weather pattern for the next couple days. Tonight's low will be 51 degrees. Topekans will enjoy a pleasant day with temperatures topping out at 80 on Saturday. See more in weather.
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