Rockets from Gaza hit Southern Israel on Friday, one day after rocket fire from Palestinian militants killed 3 Israelis. Israel continued its offensive against militants in Gaza, but offered a brief truce during the Egyptian Premier’s visit.
Author: KMAN Staff
McPHERSON, Kan. (AP) A central Kansas food bank’s campaign to add space to serve more clients is $50,000 closer to its goal. The McPherson Sentinel reports an anonymous donor contributed that amount this week to the McPherson County Food Bank’s fundraising effort. Officials are trying to raise $200,000 to add onto the building on Business U.S. 81 in McPherson. The $50,000 gift brings the amount raised so far to $160,000. The food bank needs more room for storage and for the growing numbers of people who stop by on distribution days. Officials say the number of families served rose by…
SHAWNEE, Kan. (AP) A suburban Kansas City mayor has fined himself after parking in a handicapped space and getting called out by a former City Council member. The Kansas City Star reports Shawnee, Kan., Mayor Jeff Meyers was late to a council meeting Tuesday so he parked in the closest spot to City Hall he could find. It was a handicapped parking space, and former Councilman Kevin Straub took a photo of the parked vehicle and told the Shawnee police chief about it. Police wrote Meyers a warning ticket Wednesday. On Thursday, Meyers donated $135 equivalent to the cost of…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A 51-year-old Wichita man has his wallet back after a would-be robber recognized him as a former fellow inmate. Wichita police say the man was walking home from work late Wednesday when he was approached by two young men, including one with a gun. The gunman demanded the victim’s wallet and cellphone. As the older man handed over his wallet, the second suspect realized they had spent time together in prison. Police say the suspects then stopped the robbery, returned the wallet and apologized before leaving the scene. No arrests had been made Thursday. The victim told…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Auditors say drug treatment programs offered at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex in Topeka are not adequately helping the offenders. The auditors noted that between 70 and 85 percent of offenders in the state’s juvenile programs need help with substance abuse. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Wednesday’s audit followed findings in July that the complex had significant security problems. Terri Williams, acting commissioner of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority, says she agrees the agency’s drug treatment procedures are lacking. Williams took over the program in the spring after the former commissioner and his deputy were fired. Williams says…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A statewide nominating commission has named a western Kansas judge, a Kansas City-area prosecutor and a Topeka attorney as finalists for a vacant seat on the state’s second highest court. But Thursday’s announcement means the commission passed over Gov. Sam Brownback’s chief counsel and a prominent judge who is a former legislator. That could fuel a debate over the judicial selection process. The finalists are Stevens County District Judge Kim Schroeder, Senior Deputy Johnson County District Attorney Steven Obermeier and Topeka attorney Teresa Watson. Brownback attorney Caleb Stegall and Sedgwick County District Judge Tony Powell, who formerly…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A new survey shows Kansas elementary students are still learning cursive writing but interest in teaching the subject is waning. The Kansas education department said Wednesday a survey found 90 percent of the state’s school districts teach cursive writing, generally in third grade. But nearly 23 percent of those who responded said they don’t consider cursive a high priority. And about 6 percent said they expect to eventually reduce the time spent teaching the subject. The Lawrence Journal-World reports supporters also are concerned that new Common Core State Standards in English will mean even less cursive education.…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) Overland Park officials will ask the Kansas attorney general whether the city can impose more restrictions on people who want to openly carry firearms. The city voted in September to allow gun owners to openly carry weapons in public places, with some restrictions. After complaints from citizens, the city was considering requiring those who want to openly carry weapons to meet the same requirements as those for concealed carry licenses. After the Libertarian Party of Kansas threatened to sue, the public safety committee voted Wednesday to defer the proposal until it heard from Attorney General Derek…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Plant officials at Siemens Wind Energy in Hutchinson say new orders will help the company avoid more layoffs for now. The Hutchinson News reports the plant recently received orders to supply parts for wind farms being built in Southern California and Chile. Siemens announced in September that it was cutting 60 percent of its Hutchinson workforce. The layoffs were completed this week, leaving the plant with 150 workers. It once had more than 400 employees. Siemens also laid off 570 people at its Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and 62 others around the country. Jim Jones, interim plant…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Lottery Commission has approved a change of management for the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane. The commission on Wednesday approved the merger of Boyd Gaming and Peninsula Gaming, transferring Peninsula’s management contract for the Kansas Star to Boyd. The commission regulates companies that operate casinos for the Kansas Lottery in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, Kan. Boyd spent $1.45 billion to buy Peninsula’s five casinos, including the Kansas Star. The deal is expected to close in December. The Wichita Eagle reports Boyd must pass background checks and be licensed by the Kansas Racing and…