WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A California truck driver accused of traveling to Wichita with more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine in his truck has been indicted. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Wednesday that that 33-year-old Arnoldo Perez-Ortega of Fontana, California, was charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Grissom said Wichita police stopped Perez-Ortega’s truck on Sunday and discovered 15.75 pounds of the drug. If convicted, Perez-Ortega faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. It was not immediately clear if he has an…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A Wichita man who was convicted of child abuse but acquitted of murder in the death of his live-in girlfriend’s toddler is scheduled to be sentenced next month. The Wichita Eagle reports that 34-year-old Sly Maples faces up 11 years and four months in prison. Sedgwick County jurors returned their verdict Monday. Two-year-old Avry Darnell died on Jan. 21, 2015, after she was removed from life support. One day earlier, Maples and Avry’s mother took the toddler to a hospital after she fell unconscious while playing with Maples at a park. Medical staff determined she had current…
HESSTON, Kan. (AP) A woman has pleaded not guilty to giving her former boyfriend the guns used in last month’s mass shooting at a Kansas lawn equipment factory. The Wichita Eagle reports that 28-year-old Sarah Jo Hopkins, of Newton, faces one count of transferring weapons to a prohibited person. Court records show she waived a formal reading of the charge and denied the allegations at her Wednesday afternoon arraignment in federal court. Prosecutors say she gave Cedric Ford an AK-47-type semi-automatic rifle and a .40-caliber handgun that he used in the attack at Excel Industries in Hesston. Four people, including…
TOPEKA — Riley County leaders didn’t leave the State Capital Building Wednesday with complete euphoria, but maybe with a feeling of slight progress. And when it comes to the headbutting local governments have experienced with the state legislature, slight progress is a feather the county will put in its cap. Hearings were heard on two different state-imposed property tax lid bills that would make adjustments to the law set to come into play on Jan. 1, 2018, and force a public vote on local budgets if taxes exceed the rate of inflation. Local leaders in Riley County, Manhattan and across the…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas State was not happy with its showing at the Big 12 Tournament last season, and for good reason. The Wildcats were quickly dismissed by TCU to open the competition, bringing an agonizing season to an end. They were determined to not let history repeat itself Wednesday night. Paced by Dean Wade’s career-high 20 points, K-State jumped out to a big lead, then held off Oklahoma State 75-71 at Sprint Center to advance to Thursday’s Big 12 quarterfinals. “I thought we came out with great passion in the first half,” K-State coach Bruce Weber said. “Our…
Out with winter and in with spring! The City of Manhattan’s Spring Clean-Up has been scheduled for the week of March 28 – April 1. The annual event allows residents to spruce up their properties and make use of free haul away for larger items. The only exceptions – no major household appliances, tires, batteries, concrete or rock rubble, construction or demolition debris, or household hazardous waste will be collected. Crews will be looking to pick-up things like branches, bags of leaves, grass clippings, and smaller household items.
Today on In Focus, Cathy Dawes talks with Rock Creek’s USD 323 Superintendent, Darrel Stufflebeam and Wamego USD 320 Superintendent, Denise O’ Dea; Attorney General Derek Schmidt; and K-State Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students, Pat Bosco.
Following an overnight search, Riley County Police apprehended three men who had previously fled arrest in Manhattan. The below press release was issued by the RCPD, regarding the incident. On March 8, at approximately 3:15 PM the Riley County Police Department conducted a joint investigation with the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and the Junction City Police Department into the illegal distribution of narcotics in the Manhattan and Riley County areas. This investigation led to two arrests in the 1200 block of Bertrand Street (North Alley) and police alerted the community to three additional men who fled the area and…
The result of ongoing construction, changes will soon impact access to the Via Christi Hospital Emergency Room. According to a press release, the south (emergency) entrance to the hospital will be closed to non-emergent foot traffic, beginning March 14. A hallway leading to the main hospital from the emergency entrance will also close for roughly one month. During construction, all patients and visitors must enter through the main entrance on the north side of the building – with the exception of emergency room patients and their family/friends. The construction is part of a $15.5 million renovation project that will provide…
WICHITA, KAN. – A Wichita woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to sex trafficking. According to U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom, Natasha L. Harper, 33, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of transporting a 17-year-old girl across state lines for the purpose of prostitution. Harper admitted she transported the girl from Kansas to Michigan, Illinois and Iowa and back to Kansas for the purpose of engaging in sex acts for money. Harper placed ads on an adult Web site offering the girl’s services, and claimed portion of the money. The parties have agreed to recommend a sentence of 90 months in federal prison…