Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells has announced his office is investigating multiple accusations of hazing incidents involving students at Burlingame High School, and the public’s assistance is sought in the investigation.

The sheriff has requested any members of the public who have information about the ongoing investigation to contact the sheriff’s office at 785-828-3121, 877-OSCRIME, or email [email protected].

VASSAR, Kan. – A Vassar woman was killed and another driver was seriously injured in a two-car accident Friday afternoon on state Highway 268, two miles east of U.S. Highway 75.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported Patti J. Croy, 65, Vassar, Kan., was driving a 2013 Kia Sorento westbound on K-268 about 12:40 p.m. Sept. 10, 2021, when her vehicle left the roadway for an unknown reason. Croy overcorrected and the vehicle crossed the center line and collided with a 2010 GMC Acadia driven by Trisha M. Ellis, 52, Superior, Wis.

Croy died at the accident scene, and Ellis was transported with suspected serious injuries to Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, Kan. Both drivers were the sole occupants in their vehicles and both were wearing seatbelts during the accident that occurred near Berryton Road, about two miles east of the U.S. Highway 75 roundabout.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office announced on social media K-268 was closed between Berryton Road and California Road from about 1 to 3:30 p.m. while the accident scene was cleared.

Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells has released the following reports regarding recent drug related arrests in Osage County.

At 2:45 p.m. Sept. 7, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at East 245th Street and state Highway 268 for a traffic violation. During the stop, a K-9 was deployed, and narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Tammy M. Petersen, 40, Vassar, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 2:24 p.m. Sept. 6, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on K-268 for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, drug paraphernalia was thrown from the vehicle. The vehicle came to a stop at K-268 and South Croco Road. The driver of the vehicle, Samantha E. Dunbar, 41, of Osage City, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, driving while license is revoked, and registration violation.

At 10:49 a.m. Sept. 6, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s Deputy patrolling Turkey Point Campground, at Melvern Lake, was notified by a citizen of suspicious activity occurring within the campground. The deputy responded to the area and contacted two individuals. Both subjects were found to be in possession of illegal narcotics and had warrants for their arrests.

Jessica S. Down, 41, Lebo, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony interference with law enforcement, and a warrant.

Ryan C. Pinks, 45, Bonner Springs, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a warrant.

At 3:43 p.m. Sept. 2, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at Third Street and Maple Street, in Quenemo, Kan., for a traffic violation. During the stop, narcotics were located. The driver, Richard W. Traver, 58, Quenemo, was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia.

At 5:02 p.m. Aug. 24, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop near Martin and Lakin Streets, in Osage City, Kan. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Cole D. Zimmerman, 37, Alta Vista, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 1:44 p.m. Aug. 23, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at milepost 158 on Interstate 35 for a traffic violation. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located in the possession of a passenger in the vehicle. The passenger, Stephanie D. Bell, 48, El Dorado, Kan., was arrested on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells released the following reports regarding recent arrests in Osage County, Kan.

Around 2:10 p.m. Aug. 17, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at 8th and Market Streets, in Osage City, Kan., for a traffic violation. During the stop, narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Michael B. McGuire, 42, Osage City, was taken into custody on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and traffic in contraband in a correctional institution.

At 2:35 p.m. Aug. 16, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the 4900 block of state Highway 268. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Harley J. Maley, 20, Topeka, was taken into custody and booked into jail on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana.

After a lengthy narcotics investigation, Osage County Sheriff’s Office investigators and deputies conducted a narcotics search warrant the morning of Aug. 11, 2021, at a residence in the 7000 block of East 205th Street, in Osage County, Kan. Debra M. Hutchison, 59, Vassar, Kan., was taken into custody on charges of suspicion of distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells thanked the community for playing an important role in this investigation. “Remember, if you see something, say something!” Wells said.

At 11:12 a.m. Aug. 9, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at Fifth and Maple Streets in Quenemo, Kan., for a traffic violation. During the stop, narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Billy J. Adams, 47, Ottawa, Kan., was taken into custody on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At 9:24 p.m. Aug. 8, 2021, an Osage County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop at Market Street and Topeka Avenue in Osage City, Kan., for a traffic violation. During the stop, the K-9 officer located narcotics. The driver of the vehicle, Michael B. McGuire, 41, Osage City, was taken into custody on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. A passenger in the vehicle, Lisa M. Mueller, 36, Admire, Kan., was taken into custody on charges of suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.