TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court has struck down a law that shielded some residents from property tax hikes. The high court ruled Wednesday that the law unconstitutionally granted preferential treatment to “a discrete group of taxpayers.” The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that nearly two dozen counties across the state asked the court last year to consider the constitutionality of the state law, which was passed by the Legislature in 2014 and imposed a two-year moratorium on increases in tax valuation for citizens who requested, and won, a valuation appeal. The state’s high court sided with the counties on a 5-2…
Author: KMAN Staff
This week was a rare win for counties in the state of Kansas. Riley County commissioners were informed Thursday morning that the Kansas Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in favor of counties in a case that dealt with appeals on appraised property values. Assistant County Counselor Craig Cox told commissioners that the court said the state freezing disputed property values for three years was unconstitutional. Before, recent changes to the appeal process — which were largely championed by commercial tax representatives — allowed any property owner who won a valuation appeal to have their value frozen for two years after the…
TOPEKA — The great-grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower will serve as Kansas’ next aviation director. The Kansas Department of Transportation says Merrill Eisenhower Atwater of Basehor will become part of the agency’s staff in his new job. The Lawrence Journal-World reports he will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and other aviation groups, as well as overseeing the transportation department’s aviation programs. Atwater’s last job was national sales director for Housby, a Des Moines, Iowa, company that handles Mack and Isuzu truck retail sales, truck maintenance, auctions and more. Atwater replaces Tiffany Brown, who went to work for the FAA in…
SALINA — A Delphos man has pleaded no contest to five felony counts in connection to the robbery and sexual assault of a convenience store employee and the kidnapping of a female customer at a Salina Wal-Mart. The Salina Journal reports that 31-year-old Jerrid W. Logan entered his plea Tuesday. He was charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, robbery, attempted rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. Logan was accused of approaching a woman in July and leading her into a Wal-Mart at knifepoint. Authorities say she pulled away and Logan punched the woman before fleeing. Later that day, prosecutors say Logan entered a convenience…
A Fort Riley man was found guilty in Riley County Court Thursday, after entering pleas in a murder case. Tierre Wall pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and attempted aggravated assault. After entering his plea, Judge David Stutzman found Wall guilty of shooting 27-year-old Casey Lindley in the forehead, during a March 2015 road rage incident. Wall had previously pleaded not guilty, stating that he acted in self-defense when Lindley, his fiance, and two friends left their vehicle and approached his at the intersection of Skyway Drive and Kansas Highway 114. During the course of the case, Wall was represented…
Megan Donovan with Donovan’s Home Health Life joined KMAN’s “In Focus:” Also on “In Focus” were Pawnee Mental Health’s Director of Therapy and Recovery Services Adam McCaffrey and Outpatient Therapists Krystal Lanz & Naomi Dugger:
Riley County Emergency crews responded to the intersection of Kimball Avenue and Plymouth Road in Manhattan at approximately 5:15 PM Wednesday for a report of an injury collision. Officers on scene found that 4 vehicles traveling east on Kimball were involved when a 2009 GMC Yukon, driven by Erika Lowery, 42, of Manhattan struck the rear end of a 2014 Ford F-150, driven by Christopher Dierenfeldt, 20, of Manhattan. Subsequently, the Ford F150 struck the rear end of a 2013 Mazda LL driven by Lindsey Holmstrom, 35, of Manhattan, which then struck the rear end of a 2014 Chevy Cruze driven…
Initial investigation reports have been sent to the Riley County Attorney’s Office in connection with a fatal accident at Marlatt Avenue and Tuttle Creek Boulevard nearly two weeks ago. Jenna Lindsten, 30, of Manhattan died following the February 13th Saturday morning accident involving a semi driven by Ethan Butts, 21, also of Manhattan. Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson indicates he has received some of the initial reports but says it will be several months before everything is completed. Wilkerson adds his office will not know anything until they have reviewed all the reports. The Kansas Highway Patrol had indicated the…
The 2016 Kansas Presidential Caucuses will be held around the state of Kansas, on March 5th. The Democratic Party will hold caucuses in over 40 locations while the Republican Party will hold caucuses in each Kansas county. Those planning to exercise their right to vote can do so at the following locations: Democratic Caucus Information: Per Pottawatomie County Democratic Party Pottawatomie county is divided into three State Senatorial Districts. Participants must attend the caucus location associated with their senatorial district. District 1 has the most counties and an area that includes all or parts of Marshal, Nemaha, Brown, Dophinian, Atchison and Jackson…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A fourth person has been charged in the 2014 kidnapping and killing of a woman on the Fort Riley military base. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Tuesday that 26-year-old Shantrell Woody is charged with one count of kidnapping resulting in death. The Associated Press left a phone message seeking a comment from an attorney listed as representing Woody. Twenty-four-year-old Amanda Clemons’ body was found in Geary County in February 2014. An autopsy determined that Clemons died of a sharp-force injury. Prosecutors say Woody and three others kidnapped Clemons and held her on the…