TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Libertarian candidate for a Congressional seat in Kansas has changed his name to Thomas Jefferson. The U.S. House of Representatives candidate formerly known as Jack Talbert is seeking to unseat Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita, in Kansas’ 4th District. Pompeo also faces two Democratic opponents, Esau Freeman and Robert Tillman. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Talbert changed his name to Thomas Jefferson recently as a way to pay tribute to his idol and possibly win some votes. He says when people see the name on the ballot it will make them think about the founding fathers and “whether…
Author: KMAN Staff
HAYS, Kan. (AP) The mercury’s rising and records are falling as the heat wave tightens its grip on Kansas. The Hays Daily News reports that extreme drought now covers two-thirds of the state. Norton’s high of 118 on June 28 broke the previous high of 113 set three days earlier. The newspaper said Cedar Bluff hit 110 on June 26 and 29, tying the old record set June 15, 2003. Colby had a high of 113 on June 28. Oakley hit 111 on June 25 and 28, matching the previous June 11, 1954, high. High temperatures of 110 or above…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Two Wichita men have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from allegations that they listed stolen goods for sale online. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says in a release Monday that 23-year-old Jordan Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud. He says 21-year-old Thomas Griffin pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting wire fraud. Prosecutors said the scheme involved listing more than $115,000 worth of stolen personal property for sale on Craigslist. The stolen goods included building materials and supplies, machinery, appliances and jewelry. Sentencing is set for Oct. 15.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) State officials say a law passed two years ago has dramatically improved child care in Kansas, and improved the state’s reputation for the quality of its small family child care operations. The 2010 law is known as Lexie’s Law, after a 13-month-old girl who died after from injuries she suffered at a Johnson County day care in 2004. Among other things, it requires training for day care providers. It also requires day cares that take in up to six children to be regularly inspected. In the past, those small day cares were inspected only in response to…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Vietnam veterans in Kansas are still waiting for the state to issue special license plates to honor them. The plates were supposed to be available on Jan. 1, under a law passed by the 2010 Kansas Legislature. Jeannine Koranda, spokeswoman for the state revenue department, says the plate design wasn’t final until recently. And after 50 plates were distributed earlier this month, officials discovered that they did not have the sequential numbers required by law enforcement. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Koranda says corrections are being made but she doesn’t know when the plates might be available…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Wellsville man who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a fatal traffic accident will get a new trial. A panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals on Friday reversed Roger Shaw’s 2009 conviction for involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence. The accident near Wellsville killed 21-year-old Aaron Kichler of Wellsville. The appeals court sent the case back to Franklin County for a new trial, ruling that state did not prove that Shaw was trying to flee when he hit Kichler. That was one of three claims necessary for a conviction. The Lawrence Journal-World…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) A Florida-based company plans to open a call center in downtown Lawrence, bringing about 300 new jobs to the city. The Results Companies has signed a lease to take over a space in the lower level of the former Riverfront Mall. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the Dania Beach, Fla.-based company handles customer service operations for several Fortune 500 companies. Doug Brown, a broker who negotiated the deal, says the company is expected to begin operations by Sept. 1. Results operates six U.S. call centers and four international centers.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) About 20 adult residents at a Wichita drug and alcohol treatment center will spend a few days at temporary shelters after a fire damaged the center. Wichita fire department spokesman Lt. Kelly Zane says no one was injured in Sunday’s fire at the living quarters of the Atishwin Institute. It caused about $25,000 in damage. Zane says the fire apparently was started by power cords. The American Red Cross is temporarily providing shelter to the center’s residents.
Pottawatomie County Commissioners threw on their hard hats to visit the construction site of the Pottawatomie County Justice Center. The basement level is nearly complete and the next phase of construction will involve building the exterior walls. Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Gary Yenzer, says “They look like they are pretty close to on schedule”. Project Manager with SMH Consultants Buck Driggs added, “I think we’re probably about close to 15% complete with the project, we’ve got all the basement footings and walls in, and we have all the plumbing done in the basement”. The project is expected to be completed next summer.…
By Amanda Kim Stairrett 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs FORT RILEY, Kan. – The Fort Riley Combatives Team was given one mission: Win. Command Sgt. Maj. Miguel Rivera, Fort Riley’s senior noncommissioned officer, met with team members last week as they took a break from training. He reminded them of the Warrior Ethos and encouraged them to never quit, support each other and represent their units well. Next week, 15 Soldiers from units across the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley will fight in an effort to be named the Army’s best. Fort Hood, Texas, is hosting the U.S.…