Though Wildcat Creek didn’t reach the levels projected by the National Weather Service, other counties are experiencing localized flooding and flash flooding. Reno, Butler, Sumner, and Sedgwick Counties are among the counties that saw flooding. As a result, Gov. Jeff Colyer has declared a state of disaster emergency Wednesday in response to the heavy recent rains. “With such excessive rainfall, we realize that many may have need of recovery assistance. This declaration will help with that effort,” said Colyer. “At the same time, I encourage Kansans to reach out to your neighbors and those in your community who may have…
Author: KMAN Staff
Wednesday’s guests were Wamego USD 320 Superintendent Tim Winter and Rock Creek USD 323 Superintendent Kevin Logan, Manhattan Fire Department Deputy Chief Ryan Almes and Deputy Fire Marshall Ryan Courtright, and National Wildlife Federation Senior Agriculture Program Manager Ryan Stockwell.
TOPEKA — Data shows Kansans waited an average of 573 days for decisions on their Social Security claims during the last fiscal year. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Social Security data showed that is an increase from the previous fiscal year, when wait times were 557 days. However, the number of pending cases decreased from 4,290 in the previous year to 2,454 cases pending between September 2017, and August 2018. Jewell Colbert, spokeswoman for Social Security’s Kansas City region, says a complex appeals process and a “stringent definition” of disability requires detailed medical evidence before the decisions are made. Mike Stein…
LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will honor former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker with the 2018 Dole Leadership Prize. The institute announced Wednesday the honor for Baker on Wednesday. Baker served in senior government positions under three U.S. presidents, including as secretary of state for President George H.W. Bush and chief of staff for President Ronald Reagan. Baker will accept the award on Nov. 7 at a public program at the institute. The Dole Leadership Prize is awarded annually to an individual or group whose public service leadership inspires others. The prize…
LAWRENCE — Lawrence city commissioners say they favor reducing the city’s penalties for marijuana possession. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the issue was discussed Tuesday at a work session in response to a request from a Lawrence resident this summer. Lawrence’s penalties for marijuana possession were adopted in 2006 and more severe than the state requires. First-time offenders in Lawrence pay a minimum fine of $200, and must also pay for and undergo a drug evaluation. Both city ordinance and state law set a maximum fine of $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 180 days. State law doesn’t require a minimum fine…
SHAWNEE — Fellow Republicans are condemning a local GOP official’s social media attack saying a Native American congressional candidate in Kansas would be “sent back packing to the reservation.” The Kansas City Star reports that in the same Facebook message, Republican precinct committee member Michael Kalny of suburban Kansas City also called Democratic candidate Sharice Davids a “radical socialist kick boxing lesbian Indian.” He sent the message Monday to the president of a local Democratic women’s group. Davids is an LGBT and Native American lawyer running against Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder. Yoder’s spokesman and Kansas GOP Executive Director Jim Joice…
Update: 10/15 A homeless man was found dead near a business district in West Manhattan on October 9. According to police officials, 64-year-old Donald Howe of Manhattan died of natural causes and no foul play is suspected. Original story: A man was found dead near a business district in West Manhattan Tuesday, according to a Riley County Police Department release. RCPD reports they discovered a body in the 1100 block of Westloop Place on a tip from a caller at 2:40 p.m. According to the release, investigators do not suspect foul play. The investigation is ongoing so no further…
TOPEKA — A new report shows that the rate of Kansas infants dying from a lack of oxygen has more than doubled in just three years. The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas State Child Death Review Board’s analysis of 2016 child deaths found that 20 children died from unintentional asphyxia, such as suffocation, strangulation or choking. The finding is a small fraction of the state’s 394 child deaths in 2016, but the rate of death from asphyxia has grown steadily since 2013. Sixteen of the 20 Kansas asphyxia deaths involved a child less than 1 year old, while 17…
OLATHE — Police say a manhunt that caused some Olathe schools and daycare centers to be locked down has ended. Olathe police spokesman Sgt. Logan Bonney says a suspect who eluded police for about five hours Monday was arrested about 4 p.m. without incident in a wooded area. He says at least one weapon was recovered. Officers stopped a vehicle earlier Monday as part of an investigation. One man inside the vehicle was arrested but the other man fled. Bonney says shots were fired but no officers were hurt. Olathe police said four convenience stores in the city were robbed…
LAWRENCE — Lawrence city commissioners will consider a proposal to reduce penalties for marijuana possession. Currently, first-time offenders face a fine between $200 and $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail. Those who are granted a diversion must pay for mandatory drug-abuse evaluation and could be required to receive drug-abuse education, counseling or treatment. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the city prosecutor is recommending penalties for first-time marijuana possession of $200, a substance abuse evaluation and classes or treatment, 90 day jail sentences that would be suspended if another violation doesn’t occur, and six months of unsupervised probation. A second…