Wichita teenager jailed after chase by deputies

Oskaloosa — A Wichita teenager is in the Jefferson County Jail after driving through fences, running into trees and backing into a patrol car while trying to escape sheriffâÂÂs officers Wednesday, authorities said Thursday.

The 1977 Oldsmobile, which had been reported stolen, finally was stopped in the Lakeside Village area after officers used a strip of covered spikes to flatten the tires, Jefferson County SheriffâÂÂs Capt. Tim Byers said.

Even that wasnâÂÂt enough to convince the woman to surrender.

âÂÂShe wouldnâÂÂt get out of the car,â Byers said. Officers âÂÂhad to break a window and reach in and shut off the ignition. Then they had to pull her out of the car.âÂÂ

The 19-year-old was taken to Jefferson County Jail, where she remained Thursday night pending charges. No bond was set.

Police said they did not know why the teenager was in Jefferson County.

Kidnapping case ends with plea agreement

A Topeka man pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection with the kidnapping of Topeka resident Dale Miller, whose body was found buried in April 2001 near Lecompton.

Curtis D. Callarman, 24, pleaded guilty Thursday morning in Douglas County District Court to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping.

Callarman confessed to helping kidnap Miller, 35, in September 2000 from a home in Topeka.

The Douglas County District AttorneyâÂÂs Office dropped aggravated kidnapping charges against Callarman in exchange for the conspiracy plea and for his testimony against Michael Kesselring, the man charged in MillerâÂÂs killing.

CallarmanâÂÂs sentencing was scheduled for March 14.

Group ready to appeal SRS budget cuts

A state association representing community programs for the developmentally disabled said Thursday it would appeal Gov. Bill Gravesâ move to cut the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services budget by $26.6 million.

Last week, Graves discouraged his Cabinet from appealing the 3.9 percent, across-the-board cuts, saying they were needed to offset a projected $312 million deficit.

How and where the association, Interhab, will file its appeal is unclear.

âÂÂThere may not be a way to do it, but that doesnâÂÂt mean we shouldnâÂÂt try,â said Tom Laing, InterhabâÂÂs executive director. The association, he said, may file a lawsuit, challenging the procedures used in deciding the cuts.

SRS officials doubt InterhabâÂÂs chances for success.