TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A woman who heads a child abuse and sex crimes unit in the Johnson County district attorney’s office has been fined $500 for violating campaign finance laws. The Kansas City Star reported that the Kansas Ethics Commission levied the fine against Heather Jones on Wednesday. The fine was for sending emails suggesting ways to help a Franklin County sheriff’s candidate from her district attorney’s office computer. Thirteen people received the emails. Jones is a former Franklin County attorney. She told the commission she didn’t send the email in her capacity as an assistant district attorney. She said…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Police are trying to figure out how a 3-year-old boy found wandering in a southeast Wichita neighborhood before dawn managed to leave a house where he had been staying. A woman noticed the pajama-clad toddler just after 4:20 a.m. Thursday and called police after the boy couldn’t tell her his name or where he lived. Officers knocked on doors in the neighborhood but couldn’t find out where he belonged. Police received a call more than four hours later about a missing boy. They learned he had been staying with an overnight care provider while his mother worked…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A new report says the top administrator of the Kansas board that regulates veterinarians and their clinics took more than 120 days of unpaid time off over seven months in 2010 and 2011. The audit released Thursday says Dirk Hanson, executive director of the Board of Veterinary Examiners, also had a side job at the time. The Wichita Eagle reports the auditors acknowledged finding no evidence of fraud or serious regulatory problems during Hanson’s time off. But their report said Hanson’s actions increased the risks that the agency couldn’t provide proper oversight. Hanson said his time off…
On Thursday the Joint Cities/ Counties meeting was held at Manhattan City Hall with the Metropolitan Planning Organization one topic of discussion. Due to federal government mandates, the City of Manhattan has to build a Metropolitan Planning Organization to plan for future transportation planning, or physical infrastructure needs . Ultimately it is up to the city commission to decide how the organization will be set up. Manhattan Mayor Loren Pepperd discussed how he thinks it should be handled. He ultimately believes the voting should be left to the MPO instead of giving the responsibility to the Regional Council. Ty Warner, Executive Director for the Flint…
TOPEKA, Kan. – The August Labor Report shows a decline in the unemployment rate, improvements in unemployment insurance claims and continued increases in jobs numbers since 2011. The August 2012 unemployment rate was 6.2 percent, down from 6.7 percent in July 2012 and from 6.9 percent one year ago. The seasonally adjusted rate ticked down to 6.2 percent in August from 6.7 percent in August 2011 and 6.3 percent in July 2012. Both initial and continued unemployment insurance claims decreased this month. Numbers improved from one month ago and from August 2011. Kansas gained 17,700 nonfarm jobs since August 2011,…
Outside of the Manhattan High West campus, the band stood to perform as people filtered into the building for the ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, after two years of construction. Up the stairs, tables were set, goodies from the culinary arts students were served and doors were opened so people could wander around, exploring the changes that have occurred. Student council members were also available to give directions and tours to those who found themselves a little lost. In the commons area, the choir gave performances until the time for the dedication ceremony. At 5:30 pm, the ceremony began in the…
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the city of Leonardville public water system, located in Riley County. The city water supply has experienced a loss of pressure in the water system due to a water main break. When such a loss of pressure occurs, it is possible for contaminants to enter the system. Chlorine residuals may also drop to levels that are inadequate to protect against bacterial contamination. Effective immediately, customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: · Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation,…
The Public Works Administrative Clerk 1 position has been open since April of 2011. Public Works Director, Leon Hobson, came before Riley County Commissioners at their Thursday meeting to ask for permission to fill the position. Hobson expressed how much strain the absence of this position has put on the department, and they will especially feel the pinch once another member of the department takes maternity leave soon. Commissioner Karen McCulloh raised concern regarding the position in terms of money and efficiency. McCulloh recommended the commission look into cutting back, not only in the public works department, but other departments…
This picture is from UFM Executive Director Linda Teener, of a standing egg during the equinox. This year’s equinox is at 9:49 a.m. Saturday, September 22.
A high profile murder case is finally resolved after an official plea agreement was sent out at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. At 5:45 p.m. Wednesday evening, Cole Drake (16), through his attorneys- Larry McRell and Brenda Jordan signed a plea agreement along with Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson and Assistant Riley County Attorney Wes Garrison. Drake is now officially charged with Intentional Second Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Robbery, five counts of Vehicular Burglary on April 12, 2011 and one count of Vehicular Burglary on December 24, 2010. All of this was filed as amended information by the Riley County…