INDEPENDENCE — A Kansas sheriff is suspended without pay while a case against him is investigated. KOAM-TV reports a court issued the suspension to Montgomery County Sheriff Robert Dierks on Friday. Undersheriff Richard George will be acting sheriff. Court documents say Dierks was charged with two misdemeanors after he tried unsuccessfully to interfere in the drunken driving arrest of his girlfriend. He is charged with interference with law enforcement and witness intimidation. Dierks’ then-girlfriend, Valerie Smith, was pulled over in January 2018 on suspicion of drunk driving. Prosecutors allege Dierks tried to talk deputies out of taking Smith to jail,…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA — Kansas farmers are planning to plant this spring more corn and soybeans on their land, and fewer acres of sorghum. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Friday that growers intend to seed 5.7 million acres of corn, up 5 percent from a year ago. Soybean acreage is expected to be 4.95 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Farmers indicated that they will put in just 2.75 million acres of sorghum, down 2 percent from a year ago. Winter wheat acres, seeded in the fall, are expected to total 7 million in Kansas. That is down 9…
TOPEKA — The Kansas House has rejected a move to repeal part of a state law allowing concealed carry of firearms on college campuses. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Lawrence Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard on Thursday offered an amendment to an unrelated gun bill that would have added college campuses to a list of places exempt from the state’s concealed carry law. The law requires that most government-owned buildings allow people to carry concealed firearms unless there is adequate security to prevent anyone from bringing in a weapon. Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas, and Ballard told lawmakers…
A retired Big Red One soldier earned the Distinguished Service Cross for the first time in 49 years for his actions during a 2008 Afghanistan deployment. Gahanna, Ohio-native Sgt. Robert received the honor in a ceremony at Fort Riley Thursday, March 28. The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest Army award below the Medal of Honor. It’s awarded for “extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.” Debolt had previously been awarded the Silver Star, which is now upgraded to the Cross. “I would take a bullet or take a burn for any…
Darrell Oliver, 59 of Kansas City was arrested while at the Riley County Police Department on March 28, 2019, at approximately 4:45 PM. Oliver was arrested on two Riley County District Court warrants for theft and two counts of forgery. Oliver was issued a total bond of $5,000.00. Oliver was still confined at the time of this report.
TOPEKA (AP) — Three Kansas State University students who were barred on Wednesday from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated. The Kansas City Star reports capitol officials on Thursday reversed the ban that was imposed after the students helped hang large banners saying top Republican legislators who oppose expanding Medicaid have “blood on their hands.” Capitol Police Officer Scott Whitsell he imposed the ban because the students violated a policy on demonstrations. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Three Kansas State University students who were barred from the Kansas Statehouse for a year have been reinstated. The Kansas City Star…
Thursday’s show featured a conversation with Manhattan Regional Airport Director Jesse Romo and Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director Robbin Cole.
More than a dozen people spoke in favor of creating a mandatory rental inspection ordinance in the City of Manhattan during Tuesday’s City Commission meeting. A majority of the commission was in favor of city staff further exploring a mandatory inspection program, but no ordinance was passed. Since Manhattan’s rental registration program began in 2017, more than 13,000 rental properties have been filed with the city. Though the program does not require any mandatory code inspections, Manhattan Assistant Fire Chief Brad Claussen says they’ve performed about 99 per year since 2011 — when Manhattan’s mandatory inspection program was rescinded. Commissioner Jerred McKee…
Wednesday’s guests on In Focus were USD 378 Riley County Superintendent Cliff Williams and USD 384 Blue Valley-Randolph Superintendent Brady Burton giving the latest updates from their districts. We also had Green Apple Bikes Program Director Jonathan Rivers about their upcoming programs. And a previously recorded phone interview with Riley County Emergency Management Director Pat Collins and Brian McNulty Army Corps of Engineers about the levels at Tuttle Creek.
WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas has been promoted from captain to colonel for his service in the Army during World War II. The Wichita Eagle reports both chambers of the U.S. Congress have unanimously passed a bill promoting the 95-year-old Dole. He earned two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars for valor for his service in the war. Dole was an infantry lieutenant in 1945 when he was wounded by German machine gun fire, which left him with limited use of his right arm. Dole represented Kansas in the U.S. House and Senate for a total…