WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A new government report is putting some grim numbers to the status of major crops across Kansas. In its weekly crop condition report, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday that 66 percent of the corn crop is in poor to very poor condition. Twenty-four percent is in fair condition, with 9 percent rated good and only 1 percent rated in excellent condition. About 2 percent of the corn acreage has been harvested for grain, in the earliest start to the corn harvest in Kansas history. Other major Kansas crops are not faring much better, with many stands…
Author: KMAN Staff
IOLA, Kan. (AP) A bull rider who suffered fatal injuries at a rodeo in southeastern Kansas has been identified as a 22-year-old Missouri man. The Iola Register reports that Justin Jeffries died at a hospital after being bucked by a 1,700-pound bull Saturday at the Allen County Fair Rodeo. Jeffries was a resident of the west-central Missouri town of Cole Camp. Authorities said Jeffries was wearing a vest and helmet when he was thrown just after leaving the gate to attempt an 8-second ride. The bull’s hind hooves hit Jeffries in the chest and abdomen. It’s the first fatality in…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) Organizers say they are close to reaching the required number of signatures for a petition drive aimed at removing a sculpture of a partially clad woman from a suburban Kansas City park. Phillip Cosby, Missouri and Kansas director of the American Family Association, says the sculpture at the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is obscene and should be removed. Cosby is seeking 4,500 signatures required to impanel a grand jury, which would then investigate a charge of promoting obscenity to a minor. He said Monday he has about 3,500 signatures and hopes to have the…
WELLINGTON, Kan. (AP) Sumner County leaders have chosen not to take part in a federal grant given to five Kansas counties to encourage sustainable development. Opponents of the grant say it gives the federal government an entry into local planning decisions. Others link it to a 10-year-old United Nations international agreement that encourages efforts to promote sustainable development. The Wichita Eagle reports the $1.5 million grant encourages Sedgwick, Butler, Reno, Harvey and Sumner counties to take a regional approach to planning. Paula Downs, project manager for the grant, says Sumner County’s decision won’t exempt it from planning decisions made under…
SALINA, Kan. (AP) Officials believe extreme heat may have caused part of a Union Pacific coal train to derail in north-central Kansas. Sparks from Sunday’s derailment touched off a fire that scorched several acres of wheat stubble about six miles west of Salina. No injuries were reported. KAKE-TV reports the 106-car train was traveling from Denver to Kentucky. Twenty-seven cars went off the tracks, which were being replaced Monday. Union Pacific spokesman Mark Davis says extreme heat can cause metal tracks to expand and warp. Cleanup was expected to be finished by Tuesday. Davis says six trains pass daily between…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A weekend of ceremonies is planned in Topeka to celebrate the contributions of black soldiers in the Civil War. The celebrations will note the 150th anniversary of the 1st Kansas Colored Infantry Regiment. The group of soldiers went into its first battle in Missouri in October 1862. The events will begin Friday with a graveside service at Mount Auburn Cemetery. A living history program will be held Friday evening, and another program is scheduled for Saturday evening, both at Cushinberry Park. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the three-day celebration will conclude with an outdoor church service Sunday in…
EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) A house fire in El Dorado sent four people to the hospital. El Dorado Fire Capt. Max Brown says the fire Sunday evening caused about $350,000 damage and the home is a total loss. KFDI reports two people were critically injured and two others had serious injuries from burns and smoke inhalation. The cause is still under investigation.
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The Douglas County clerk’s office plans to issue its own photo identification cards for voters to use at the polls. County Clerk Jamie Shew was planning to start issuing the ID cards Monday, the Lawrence Journal-World reports. The new system will allow voters who don’t have a photo ID to avoid going to the state’s Division of Vehicles to obtain one. A Kansas law taking effect this year requires voters to show a photo ID at the polls. Its enactment was advocated by Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who says his office is examining Douglas County’s plans.…
A fatal roll-over accident was reported in Geary county early Sunday morning, involving a Kansas State student. Shane Olberding, 19, of Abilene died in the accident, reported at 3:30 a.m. Sunday in the Sixth block of old Highway 40. Geary County sheriff Jim Jensen indicates Olberding’s vehicle rolled over several times and Olberding was ejected, then pronounced dead at the scene. Further details regarding possible causes of the accident were not available.
Riley County voters can cast their ballots early using early voting procedures. Voters can visit the polling station located on the second story of the Riley County Office building, or by mailing their advanced votes into the clerks office. Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo says his office has processed 179 mail in ballots so far, and many people are using the service to avoid long polling lines during the regular voting schedule and adverse weather conditions. Polling at the Riley County office building open at 8 am and ends at 7 pm. Early voting ends Monday at noon on August 6th. Vargo…