A Texas man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for causing the 2016 crash deaths of a Junction City mother and her two children on Interstate 70. The Wichita Eagle reports that 45-year-old Steven Johnson, of Houston, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty in March to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence. He was sentenced to 14.5 years on the murder count and nearly 3.5 years for each of the involuntary manslaughter counts. Investigators say Johnson was driving a large box truck that crossed the interstate…
Author: KMAN Staff
SHAWNEE — A Kansas City suburb has apologized after a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Kansas appeared in a parade atop a Jeep with what appeared to be a large gun mounted on the back . The Kansas City Star reported that some onlookers appeared stunned by the sight of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach on the red, white and blue-decorated vehicle at the Old Shawnee Days parade Saturday morning. A spokesman for Kobach says the gun was a replica. Shawnee Community Christian Church pastor Johnny Lewis says there were audible gasps from parade-goers as Kobach rode by. Kobach said…
TOPEKA — A conservative House Republican has dropped his re-election bid in a suburban Kansas City district where two openly gay Democratic challengers are running. Rep. Randy Powell, of Olathe, withdrew his bid this week before Friday’s filing deadline. The 30th district includes parts of Olathe and Lenexa. The Kansas City Star reports Powell was considered one of the most conservative members of the House. He supported a law that allows faith-based adoption agencies to reject gay and lesbian couples. He opposed Medicaid expansion and rolling back 2012 tax cuts. The Democratic candidates, Brandon Woodard of Lenexa and Matthew Calcara…
Friday’s guests were Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Karen Hibbard and Gregg Eyestone, Riley County’s Extension Agent for Horticulture.
SHAWNEE MISSION — A Kansas school district faces a lawsuit alleging violation of students’ free speech rights during a nationwide protest of gun violence. The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas filed suit Thursday against the Shawnee Mission School District. Some students participated in a nationwide walkout protesting gun violence in April. High school students said they were given a script for their 17-minute walkout and an associate principal took cameras away from student journalists. At the middle school, students complained their event was cut short because officials had not approved language about gun control or gun violence. The lawsuit…
WICHITA — A Wichita daycare owner and five other women have admitted participating in a scheme to commit welfare fraud. Sedgwick County prosecutors say 29-year-old Erika Tomlin was sentenced Wednesday to probation and ordered to repay the state $36,000. She owned two Kiddy Kollege daycare operations in Wichita. Tomlin could be kept on probation for up to five years to ensure the money is repaid, or probation could end after a year if full restitution is made. She could serve five months in prison if she violates her probation. Tomlin and five other women were accused of receiving childcare benefits…
WELLINGTON — A Kansas man is charged with murder in the death of a woman who was the mother of his son. KAKE-TV reports 32-year-old Bradley Aue is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree reckless murder in the May 24 death of Sierra Craft-McGee in Wellington. A criminal complaint alleges Aue hit Craft-McGee several times and pushed her into a window, severing an artery and causing cuts throughout her body. He also allegedly didn’t obtain timely medical attention for the victim. Police said officers found Craft-McGee unresponsive, and she was pronounced dead after medical interventions were unsuccessful. A small child…
WICHITA — A Wichita baby sitter who produced child pornography in her home has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. The Wichita Eagle reports 47-year-old Stefanie Larsen was sentenced Thursday. Prosecutors say Larsen allowed a man to produce a series of videos in which he masturbated in the presence of a sleeping 7-year-old girl who she was babysitting. When the child woke up and cried out, Larsen told her it was just a bad dream. Authorities say the man paid Larsen to let him make the videos. The man, 55-year-old Bill Harold Raymond, was sentenced earlier to 17…
TOPEKA — A Topeka attorney has filed a lawsuit alleging Shawnee County is violating the rights of an inmate being kept in custody on an immigration detainer. David Alegria contends the county has held Elidio Perez-Ramirez longer than allowed by law. He is seeking Perez-Ramirez’s immediate release and unspecified compensation. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the lawsuit names the county corrections department, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Shawnee County counselor Jim Crowl said Wednesday the federal government gave the corrections department valid documentation directing it to hold Perez-Ramirez. The lawsuit says Perez-Ramirez was convicted in…
Officers with the Riley County Police Department responded to the report of a battery on Linear Trail near Richards Drive in Manhattan at approximately 1 p.m. Thursday. Preliminary information gathered by investigators suggests there was one male attacker who battered a lone female runner. The 15 year-old victim suffered a head injury. She was transported to Via Christi for treatment. The suspect has not been apprehended at this time and the investigation is ongoing. The RCPD is asking citizens to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. RCPD Public Information Officer Hali Rowland told KMAN officers spoke to an older…