U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery issued a sharp rebuke of the Trump administration’s immigration policies while ordering the release of 5‑year‑old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from immigration custody.

Liam was taken from a running car in his driveway on Jan. 20 by ICE agents as he returned home from preschool. The Department of Homeland Security said his father — the person immigration officers were seeking — had “abandoned the boy.”

School officials said agents used the child “as bait” to try to get the family to open the door of their home, and refused to leave the boy with another adult while pursuing his father.

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Ramos and his father, who entered the U.S. legally to apply for asylum, were taken to an ICE holding facility in Dilley, Texas. A judge has prohibited ICE from deporting them.

Liam’s mother said her son appears to be sick from the food at the facility.

“The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children,” said Biery, who was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton.

“Civics lesson to the government: Administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster. That is called the fox guarding the henhouse. The Constitution requires an independent judicial officer,” he added. “Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency. And the rule of law be damned.”

Federal authorities tried to claim that Conejo Arias endangered the child.

“I do a little bit more follow-up research, and what I find is that the 5-year-old was not arrested, that his dad was an illegal alien, and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran,” Vice President JD Vance said. “Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?”

WICHITA, Kan. – Wichita State women’s basketball couldn’t overcome a blazing hot-shooting UAB squad Saturday afternoon, falling 83-65 inside Charles Koch Arena.
 
The Shockers (5-17, 2-7 American) saw four players score in double figures, led by Abby Cater, who finished with 13 points and three rebounds. Taya Davis contributed a season-high 11 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Jaida McDonald added 10 points with four rebounds, while Treasure Thompson chipped in 12 points and six boards.
 
UAB (8-13, 1-8 American) caught fire from long range and never cooled off, shooting 54.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Blazers were led by Cali Smallwood, who poured in a game-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers, and Molly Moffitt, who added 10 points and seven rebounds. Sofia Munoz contributed an efficient 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, and Monae’ Duffy scored nine points and grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds.
 
Wichita State stayed close early, trailing just 19-18 after the first quarter, thanks to early scoring from Davis and Thompson. UAB began to create separation in the second period, building a double-digit advantage and carrying a 44-33 lead into halftime after shooting nearly 70 percent in the second frame.
 
Despite a quick start from McDonald and Thompson after the break, UAB continued to stretch the lead, outscoring the Shockers 25-17 in the third period. Wichita State forced several second-chance opportunities but struggled to convert from three-point range, hitting just 4-of-17 from beyond the arc for the game.
 
Inside, Wichita State held a narrow 38-30 advantage in points in the paint and outscored UAB 14-12 on second-chance points, but the visitors’ perimeter efficiency proved decisive.
 
The Shockers return to action on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. in Charles Koch Arena for their National Girls and Women in Sports Day game.
 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Man O’War’s Harley Davidson hosted its 15th annual chili cook-off in support of deployed U.S. service members in Lexington on Saturday.

The event benefited Military Missions, a local nonprofit that sends care packages overseas to soldiers, sailors, airmen, the Marines, and Coast Guardsmen.

At Saturday’s fundraiser, chili cook-off participants paid a $10 entrance fee, and tasting patrons paid a $5 donation, which included a tasting bowl and a vote for the best chili.

All entrance fees and donations from the event went directly to benefit Military Missions, according to a press release.

SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – The Scottsville Police Department is investigating a non-credible bomb threat.

According to a release, SPD responded to a call of a bomb threat directed toward the Scottsville City Square Saturday morning.

SPD says the caller referenced “islands” on the square and an unknown church.

The release states that SPD, along with the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, searched the city square, courthouses, local churches, and businesses.

SPD says dispatch reviewed video cameras and did not locate a suspect.

Additional searches of the area did not result in locating explosive devices.

Following the search, SPD determined that the threat was not credible and there is no immediate threat to the public.

In an update post Saturday afternoon, SPD says it collaborated with the Allen County Sheriff’s Office and the Kentucky State Police to continue to search the area with K9 officers and additional personnel.

After the second search, no explosive devices were located and the threat was deemed not credible.

A suspect has not been identified.

The investigation is ongoing.

SOMERSET, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — Two people are in custody following a long-term drug trafficking investigation that uncovered large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to Pulaski County Sheriff Bobby Jones.

Sheriff’s officials said the investigation began in late 2025 after the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division received information about a drug trafficking operation supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to Pulaski County from a source in Lexington.

Detectives conducted multiple controlled purchases during the investigation, which led to an operation late Friday night into early Saturday to arrest the suspected source of supply.

Authorities said deputies and detectives staged in the Shopville community after learning the suspect, identified as Robert Conley, 45, of Lexington, was traveling to Pulaski County to deliver methamphetamine.

Deputies followed the suspect vehicle to the parking lot of East Way Market on East Highway 80, where detectives confirmed Conley was the passenger. Deputies said they observed Conley handling a box on the passenger-side floorboard.

As the occupants exited the vehicle, deputies detained them. A K-9 unit conducted a free-air sniff, and the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, authorities said.

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 155 grams of methamphetamine, 31.6 grams of fentanyl, and a loaded .40-caliber pistol on the passenger side, according to the sheriff’s office.

Conley was arrested and charged with a parole violation, distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture, and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture. The distribution and conspiracy charges stem from a federal indictment.

Following Conley’s arrest, deputies located and arrested Tiffany Helton, 43, of Somerset, at a residence on Deck Drive. Helton was charged with distribution of 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture and conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture, both under a federal indictment.

Sheriff Jones said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.

The newest tool in the Edgecomb Fire Department’s toolbox arrived this week in the form of a 2005 American LaFrance pumper engine, courtesy of the Taymouth Township Fire Department in Michigan.

Edgecomb Fire Chief Roy Potter announced the pumper’s arrival in a press release Wednesday, Jan. 28.

“We are grateful to the Edgecomb Select Board for approving the purchase of at a cost of $60,000,” Potter said. “The funds were allocated from the town’s truck reserve fund and will not impact the current operating budget.”

The new engine will be named Engine 51 and dedicated in memory of Gavin Martin, Potter said.

Martin, 21, was an Edgecomb firefighter who died in an automobile crash in Whitefield on Dec.16, 2025. A formal dedication ceremony is planned for later in the spring or summer.

According to Potter, the new truck will replace Engine 5, a 1991 pumper that is no longer compliant with the National Fire Protection Association safety standards and was only permitted for use under a grandfathering exemption.

By contrast, Edgecomb’s new American LaFrance engine comes with 20,000 miles on it and has modern functionality and safety features including an enclosed compartment for up to six firefighters, a built-in power-take-off generator for auxiliary equipment, front and rear foam application nozzles for vehicle fires, a larger 1,000-gallon water capacity, and pump rating of 1,500 gallons per minute.

According to Potter, the estimated cost for a comparable new engine could be between $800,000 and $1 million.

The department will put the new engine in service once engine training, driver certification, and logo signage are complete, Potter said. In the meantime, he invites the public to come see the new engine at the Edgecomb fire station at 473 Bath Road (Route 27). The department meets at the station at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday.

For more information, call 882-9618 or find the Facebook page for the Edgecomb Maine Fire Dept.