Author: KMAN Staff

A burglargy suspect sought by Pottawatomie county law enforcement authorities has been located. Mark Lawrence, 32,  was taken into custody Tuesday in Topeka. As KMAN news announced Monday, Lawrence was  wanted in connection with a recent burglary in Pottawatomie county. A white ’96 Chevy Blazer Lawrence was seen driving was connected to a Walnut Grove area burglary the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s department was investigating. Lawrence faces burglary and theft charges, with bond set at $5,000.

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Wamego’s Animal Shelter is asking for an increase in funding. At Tuesday’s City Commission meeting, members of the Pottawatomie County Caring Hearts Humane Society appeared requesting a modification of the financial piece of the 2009 Animal Shelter’s agreement with the City. According to City Manager Merl Page, the City now pays the Shelter 8-hundred dollars per month, and they are requesting an increase to 2-thousand per month. According to Caring Hearts Volunteer Susan Clausen, to be in compliance with the State’s rules, they had to hire 2 part-time employees, with the average payroll totaling 16-hundred dollars per month, and with…

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Manhattan City commissioners chose the larger regional map for the intial start up of the organization. The metropolitan planning organization map 4a was voted in, and Commissioner Wynn Butler was appointed as Manhattan’s interim policy board representative.  Commissioners John Matta and Butler opposed the larger map 4a option due to questions about the MPO process, but were out voted by the rest of the commission. Commissioner Richard Jankovich says the MPO can be scaled back if needed.  Commissioner James Sherow said there is a strong sense of support from the surrounding community’s that was conducive to the operation of a…

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MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) Researchers at Kansas State University say they’ve developed a blood test that can detect some cancers in their earliest stages. The test was developed by chemistry professor Stefan Bossmann and anatomy and physiology professor Deryl Troyer. It can detect breast cancer and the most common type of lung cancer before symptoms start. The researchers expect that testing designed to detect pancreatic cancer will begin shortly. Troyer says the test would be most helpful to people with an increased cancer risk because of such factors as a family history of the disease. The researchers hope that people in…

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OLATHE, Kan. (AP) A former northeast Kansas sheriff’s deputy has been charged with inappropriately touching a female inmate. Vernon Finkenbinder, 39, was charged Tuesday in Johnson County with unlawful sexual relations and posted bond. The sheriff’s office says the incident occurred Sept. 23 while the female inmate was in custody at a central booking location for those suspected of a crime in Johnson County. A news release says the allegation was reported two days later, leading to a criminal investigation. Finkenbinder was placed on administrative leave and since has resigned from the sheriff’s office. The news release says investigators have…

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed a Topeka lawyer to fill a vacancy on the Shawnee County District Court. Mary Mattivi replaces District Judge Daniel Mitchell, who retired at the end of August. Mattivi was among 12 applicants for the judgeship and one of three finalists chosen by a local nominating commission. Brownback cited her experience both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney in appointing her Tuesday. Mattivi already has been substituting for judges in Shawnee County and in Topeka’s municipal court as a judge pro tem. She’s a former Shawnee County assistant district attorney…

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) History buffs visiting Topeka are in for a treat. They’re now able to call a phone number (785-338-4041) and listen to information about historic places in the city. The sites range from a Statehouse mural of abolitionist John Brown to the school that played a key role in the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation case. The audio tours are part of a campaign that will include the publication of driving guides and the addition of interpretive signage at the historic sites. More details will be announced Wednesday during a news conference at Constitution Hall, one of…

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