Wamego Rep. Ron Highland apologizes for co-sponsoring a bill that would bar counties from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and refers to such marriages as “parody marriages.” The bill was introduced by Sabetha Rep. Randy Garber and has drawn criticism from many organizations and representatives, including Manhattan City Commissioner Jerred McKee. Highland issued a written statement to the Wamego Times saying he trusted his officemate — the bill’s author — when he signed onto multiple of his bills, including the Marriage and Constitution Restoration Act, or HB 2320. He told KMAN he hadn’t read the bill’s full text. “Knowing…
Author: KMAN Staff
The Manhattan City Commission approved three new ordinances and discussed options surrounding planned North Campus Corridor projects at its Tuesday meeting. Lyle Butler Day The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce’s soon-to-retire President and CEO Lyle Butler was honored with the proclamation of Lyle Butler Day, which was set for Thursday, February 21. Mayor Mike Dodson thanked Butler for his contributions and commended him for his vision and team-building. Butler told commissioners it’s been an honor to get to work with them and their predecessors during his time with the Chamber. “It’s very, very important that this partnership continues because it…
TOPEKA — Rural state lawmakers are pushing a plan to allow the Kansas Farm Bureau to offer health insurance coverage to members without having to comply with federal mandates. Backers of the Farm Bureau’s bill hope that the influential agriculture group can offer lower-cost coverage. But the proposal is drawing strong criticism from Democrats because the Farm Bureau would not be required to cover people with pre-existing medical conditions. Critics of the Farm Bureau’s bill worry that it could lure healthy individuals away from other plans, making them less affordable. The state Senate approved the bill Wednesday on a 28-11…
Officers filed a report for attempted theft in the 300 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd on February 20, 2019, at approximately 3:15 PM. Officers listed Best Buy of Manhattan as the victim when it was reported an unknown female suspect took an iPhone XS 64 GB phone. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $824.00. Police ask that anyone with information in regards to this crime contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to…
LAWRENCE — Lawrence city leaders are moving closer to allowing feral cat colonies in the city. The City Commission on Tuesday approved a first reading of an ordinance change that would allow for a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats . The proposal from the Lawrence Humane Society would allow people to catch feral cats, which would then be neutered, vaccinated and returned to where they were first captured. The Lawrence Journal-World reports Assistant City Attorney Maria Garcia said the program would rely heavily on Lawrence volunteers. They would trap the cats, take them to a veterinarian to be neutered and…
A special edition of In Focus highlighted the career of Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Lyle Butler who is retiring at the end of February.
The trial for a Manhattan engineer charged with three counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and one count of criminal property damage opened Wednesday afternoon. Mark Harrison, 38, appeared before Judge Grant Bannister represented by attorneys Barry Clark and Jeremy Platt on Feb. 20. The trial is scheduled to run six days. Harrison is accused of shooting RCPD Sgt. Pat Tiede as well as repeatedly shooting an armored vehicle two officers were sitting within on the afternoon of Jan. 5, 2018. Tiede was responding to a domestic disturbance call at the Harrison residence on 3700 Block of Hawthorne Woods…
TOPEKA — Kansas lawmakers have begun hearing testimony on the possibility of lowering the state tax on food sales. During a hearing Monday before the House Taxation committee, food growers, small-town grocers and advocates for low-income families supported reducing the 6.5 percent state food sales tax rate by 1 percent. The reduction would lower state revenues by $60 million. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Rep. Tim Hodge, a North Newton Democrat, says the reduction would provide a little more money in families. And Oberlin city administrator Halley Roberson said her town is losing money because residents can buy food in nearby…
TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has named a Topeka attorney who has specialized in tax cases as her new acting secretary of revenue. Kelly announced Tuesday that Mark Burghart would lead the Department of Revenue. He replaces interim Secretary Mark Beshears, who took over the agency temporarily when the new Democratic governor took office last month. Burghart previously worked as a legislative researcher and as the Department of Revenue’s chief counsel for seven years, starting in 1987. His appointment as secretary will require state Senate confirmation. Kelly also announced that two interim Cabinet secretaries plan to stay in their…
TOPEKA — A Washburn professor says in a lawsuit that the university retaliated against her after she filed a sex discrimination complaint. Leslie Reynard, who teaches in the communication department, said in her lawsuit the retaliation began after she told her department chair in April 2018 that she intended to file a claim with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Reynard said the university tried to place her on a performance improvement plan in September. She refused because she said the plan was used to find small mistakes that would allow the school to fire Reynard. In…