TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach says increasing the power of his office is the best way to deter people from double-voting. Kobach will seek authority from the 2013 Legislature to prosecute election fraud. He said it’s the last major step Kansas needs to take to effectively combat voting irregularities. He said county prosecutors are often too overworked to take on such cases. Critics contend Kobach overstates the threat and is suppressing turnout with initiatives he has championed. Those measures include a law requiring all voters to show photo identification at the polls. But Kobach says his…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Two newly elected Kansas legislators from Wichita have endorsed a proposal to hold city and local school board elections at the same time as elections for state offices in even-numbered years. Sen.-elect Michael O’Donnell and Rep.-elect Mark Kahrs, both Republicans, said the change would boost turnout in city and school board elections. In local primaries, turnout can fall below 10 percent. Kansas law now sets municipal and school board general elections on the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years. Elections for state offices are the first Tuesday in November in even-numbered years, with primaries in early…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has announced a volunteer recognition program that will reward state residents for their good deeds. Department secretary Shawn Sullivan says the Volunteer of the Month program will begin in January, with winners chosen from nominations submitted to the department. Each monthly winner will receive a check for $50 and a $20 Walgreens gift card. Nominees will be judged on several criteria, including outstanding performance, high level of willingness to help others, strong commitment to volunteering and good relationships with those who are helped by the volunteer. Nominations can be…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Groups representing Kansas retirees want state lawmakers to provide annual cost-of-living increases in pension benefits for former teachers and government workers. The Kansas Coalition of Public Retirees notes in a recent report that the last such adjustment for all retirees was in 1998. The report suggests tying increases in benefits to the consumer price index. The coalition includes 39 organizations. However, its proposal isn’t likely to get much traction with the Republican-controlled Legislature. The Kansas Public Employees Retirement System projects a gap of $9.2 billion between anticipated revenues and benefits promised to retirees from now until 2033.…
A heated discussion filled time at Monday’s Pottawatomie County Commission meeting . What started off as a request for a change order for IT stuff, turned into multiple conversations among the different entities involved including KBS Constructors, Inc., and Treanor Architects. Trisha Brooke-Fruent, construction manager for SMH Consultants, was center of a battle on days allotted and also the pricing of the cable and technical aspect of the project. Through the course of the discussion, the board finally came to a 2 – 1 vote for the change order with Commissioner Pat Weixelman dissenting. They also presented their desire to…
The Riley County Police have switched over to their emergency traffic accident response and reporting as of about 3:45 pm on Monday. Motorists will need to file an accident report for any event during this period of time at the Law Enforcement Center located at 1001 S Seth Child. Motorists are encouraged to coordinate with each other. If possible, bring the vehicles involved in the incident with you.
Nino Williams scored 16 points and led four players in double figures as K-State sprinted away from South Dakota for a 70-50 victory on Monday afternoon at Bramlage Coliseum. The Cats led 30-18 at halftime, but the Coyotes pulled with 44-39 of K-State with 9:15 left. South Dakota guard Karim Rowson committed an intentional foul on Williams, which seemed to spark a 12-0 K-State run. Williams hit both free throws, and Shane Southwell scored seven straight points in one stretch. Rodney McGruder scored 15 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while Southwell wound up with 12 points and Will…
Monday’s Riley County Commission Press Conference featured specific changes in rules and regulations regarding planning and development requirements and fees. County Zoning Enforcement Officer, Steve Higgins came before the commission to share what recent changes have been made. In the event that construction is commenced prior to the issuance of a building permit, the permit fee shall be doubled to compensate for the direct cost and additional staff cost in enforcement activities. Higgins said, “this is somewhat of an incentive, which we have not had in the past and hopefully this incentive will have people looking out and remembering to…
A Fort Riley soldier has been bound over on a variety of charges including rape, following a recent preliminary hearing in Riley County District Court. George Ferenz, 30, who had been living in Manhattan faces a January 22nd arraignment in the case. Charges include rape, aggravated indecent liberties with a child, aggravated criminal sodomy, and lewd fondling of a child under 14. The alleged incident occurred a couple of months ago at Fort Riley. Ferenz is reportedly with the 234th Armor Division at Fort Riley.
A battery citation leads to a much larger arrest. Riley County Police told reporters on Monday that they were called to a residence this past Friday for a possible battery. Upon arrival, they cited Jacques Toliver (25) of 823 Colorado in Manhattan for battery, but a subsequent investigation revealed narcotics and a handgun. Toliver was taken into custody and charged with possession of marijuana , possession of paraphernalia , criminal carrying of weapons, defacing a firearm, and criminal use of weapons. Toliver remains confined on a $10,000 bond. ________________________________________________________________ A Manhattan man faces several charges after a routine traffic stop reveals several drug…