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Top Morning News 12.18.12

 Vigil held for Topeka officers shot in drug deal bust; Salvation Army makes Christmas wishes come true; Brownback names his team for weight-loss challenge.

Hundreds Attend Vigil For Slain Topeka Officers

Hundreds of people Monday gathered for a candlelight vigil for the two Topeka police officers who were killed while on duty.

The crowd included dozens of uniformed law enforcement officers, as well as Governor Sam Brownback and Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Family members of the late 50-year-old police Corporal David Gogian and 29-year-old officer Jeff Atherly  were also present.

The officers died Sunday night while investigating a drug deal in a grocery store parking lot. The passenger in the car they were checking opened fire, killing the two officers.

Police have identified the gunman as 22-year-old David Tiscareno, who had a criminal record including theft and a weapons violation. Tiscareno died Monday after being shot in a confrontation with officers.

Donated Toys Make Christmas Brighter For Wichita Children

Thousands of families in Wichita will have a brighter Christmas this year due to donations to the Salvation Army. At the former Big Dog Motorcycle building Monday volunteers helped sort through toys to be distributed later this week.

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Brownback Names Weight Loss Team

Governor Sam Brownback has picked his team to compete in a state employee weight-loss contest. 

Commerce Secretary Pat George, Adjutant General Major Lee Tafanelli, acting Labor Secretary Lana Gordon and Transportation Secretary Mike King will join the governor in the weight loss challenge  he issued last month to encourage Kansas residents to live healthier lives.

The contest will run from January 15 through May 15, which coincides with the annual legislative session. Lieutenant Governor Jeff Collier is also fielding a team.

First Snow Storm Expected For Western Kansas

The season's first big snowstorm is forecast to blow into western Kansas Wednesday, just in time for holiday travels.

The National Weather Service posted blizzard watches for 29 counties on Monday, from the Colorado line to as far east as Hays.

Only the southwestern-most Kansas counties are excluded. Forecasters expect snow to begin falling in western Kansas sometime early Wednesday and spread eastward from there.

Some places will only get an inch or so of snow; others can expect half a foot. Winds over 40 mph are expected to create blizzard conditions.