TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The American Civil Liberties Union says an official email sent by a Kansas Corporation Commission employee discussing his religious beliefs may have opened the KCC to legal liability. Jared Bowes, a KCC media specialist, tried to put a veiled reference to Jesus into the commission’s December newsletter, but it was edited out. Bowes then used his state-issued email address to send a message to his colleagues saying “King Jesus” is “the reason for the season.” Doug Bonney, legal director for the ACLU Foundation of Kansas, says while state employees have free speech rights, problems arise when religious…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department of Transportation has chosen a team to design and build changes to a congested intersection of three major highways in Johnson County. The project will be completed by Gateway Interchange Constructors, a joint venture led by Clarkson Construction Co., of Kansas City, Mo. The improvements will be made near and along the intersection of Kansas Highway 10, Interstate 435 and Interstate 35. The contract, announced Friday, is worth $288 million and includes a $3 million incentive for early completion. Construction is scheduled to begin in the late spring and completed by late December 2016.…
On today’s InFocus, Cathy talks with Dr. Bob Larson, Professor and Coleman Chair in Food Animal Production medicine at Kansas State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by Linda Teener, Executive Director of UFM Community Learning Center.
Before the were able to switch around their roles, the Pottawatomie County Commission had some work to take care of during Monday’s meeting. First up they heard an update on how weather has been impacting the public works department and how they’re preparing for upcoming storms. Bob Cole, Economic Development Director, brought his year-end report on how they have progressed on their fund raising efforts. A more in-depth discussion is going to take place Tuesday night in Wamego. The commission was asked to switch hats, before given the health department update. Leslie Campbell, Health Director, requested they make appointments as…
TOPEKA, KAN. – A former Marshall County insurance agent was sentenced Monday to 21 months in federal prison for stealing customers’ premiums, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. In addition, she was ordered to pay $160,000 in restitution. Monica Smart, 49, Frankfort, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud. In her plea, she admitted the crime occurred from January 2009 to Aug. 27, 2010, while she worked for United Insurance, a small insurance company located in Marysville, Kan. Smart changed United customers’ mailing addresses so that the customers would not receive policy statements and notices. She also changed United…
A 66-year-old man convicted of first degree murder and other charges in Geary County nearly 40 years ago has apparently been denied parole. Frank Pencek’s next possible release date is now January of 2017 according to information just posted on the Kansas Department of Corrections website. Pencek was up for public comment sessions in November, with a December parole hearing. Pencek was convicted in 1975 in connection with a May 1974 incident involving murder, kidnapping and rape. Elizabeth Bush, 20, was the victim in the case, which occurred at Milford Lake. She was studying for a recreation degree at Kansas…
Riley County Fire Chief Pat Collins indicates burning will not be permitted Tuesday, due to high winds. Information Monday afternoon indicated winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour Tuesday.
A former Junction City minister was sentenced in Geary County district court Monday for sex-related charges involving young boys in the church congregation. Jordan Young (26) appeared in Judge David Platt’s courtroom to receive his sentence. According to Assistant Prosecutor Michelle Brown, Young entered into a plea agreement where he entered a plea to one count of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy and four counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a child. He was sentenced to 297 months in prison, which is 24.75 years, lifetime post-release supervision upon his release and lifetime sex offender registration.
The first item on Monday morning’s Riley County Commission agenda involved reorganization of the commission. Previously, the commission chair was Commissioner, Dave Lewis and the vice chair was Commissioner, Robert Boyd. As of Monday, Commissioner Boyd became the chair, and Commissioner Ron Wells became the vice chair. ————– Proximity locks have been needed at the Alvan D. Johnson Law Enforcement Center for over a decade now, according to Public Works Director, Leon Hobson. Hobson provided a background of the project and mentioned the last locks were put into place in 1998. Minor changes have taken place since that time, but…
Manhattan High claimed first place at the Salina South Invite on Saturday with two individual champions on Saturday. The Tribe scored 139 points, outpacing second place Colby, while Junction City came in third. Freshman Mason Wallace brought home a first place medal at 120 pounds, so did 145 pound senior Erick Sanchez. Rock Creek was bolstered by the return of three seniors to their and finished sixth at the Burlington Invitational on Saturday. Defending 4A state champ Holton easily took the title, with Burlington in second. The Mustangs had four runner-up finishes, 138 pound AJ Burenheide, 145 pound Marc Reiss, 152 pound…