TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The defense has rested its case in the Topeka trial of an Oklahoma woman accused of killing her ex-husband and his fiancee in 2002. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that a former neighbor was among the last witnesses to testify Wednesday in the trial of 51-year-old Dana L. Chandler, of Duncan, Okla. The neighbor, Ken Crockett, told jurors that one of the victims, 53-year-old Karen Harkness, sometimes left open her garage and front doors while taking walks. Chandler is charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in the slayings of Harkness and 47-year-old Mike Sisco. They were…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Democratic Party has determined that anti-abortion activist Randall Terry is not a bona fide Democrat and won’t be awarded any delegates from the party’s April 14 Kansas caucuses. Terry, the founder of Operation Rescue, is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. His supporters were setting up Kansas campaign headquarters Wednesday in Wichita. But Kansas Democratic Party attorney Joe Sandler says the party’s delegate selection rules only recognize candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to the party’s goals and objectives. He says Terry also missed two state deadlines and submitted his application only days ago. The…
STOCKTON, Kan. (AP) A new, regional airport with a 5,000-foot runway is set to open next month in northwestern Kansas. The Hays Daily News reports that paving on the runway of Rooks County Regional Airport has been completed, and the opening is scheduled for April 5. Not all amenities will be available at that time. Rooks County officials say a parking lot and taxiway will be added, and construction of a hangar is also planned. Once more work is done, officials plan to have a grand opening, possibly in the summer.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas House Speaker Mike O’Neal is no longer pushing for a congressional redistricting plan that would split the Kansas City area between two districts. O’Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, took that stance Wednesday even though the House rejected an alternate plan that would have kept Kansas City in a single district. The vote was 76-48 against that measure. But O’Neal said the fact that an alternative to his plan emerged from House debate shows that many lawmakers don’t want to divide the Kansas City area. He said the alternate plan probably failed over other issues. It dramatically redrew…
Allegations of an open meetings act violation involving Riley and Geary county commissions are unfounded. At least that’s the assessment of Riley County Assistant Counselor Craig Cox, who says it was a proper executive session. Cox indicates the commissioners determined an executive session was needed to discuss confidential legal advice, adding from his office’s point of view, it was determined to be a proper executive session. Cox adds the commissions had a legal interest in common that was discussed by the commissioners and their legal counsel. Riley County commission Chair Al Johnson says the counselor was with them and he didn’t…
During its Thursday meeting, the Riley County commission unanimously passed a motion to split the cost with Fort Riley on maintaining a new flood gauge near Keats. The new gauge was originally paid for by Fort Riley and later installed by the United States Geological Survey. It will join two gauges, which are located off Scenic Drive and Seth Child Road. “It’s a lot further upstream than what we’re getting from the Scenic and Seth Child gauges so it’ll give us a little more notice,” Pat Collins, Emergency Management Director, said. Collins had not received specifics on what the maintenance will entail, but…
Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s officers arrested two St. George residents after executing a search warrant Thursday. According to Sheriff Greg Riat, the bust went down just after 7 a.m. Thursday at 3798 Pecan Drive in St. George. Detectives located methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Taken into custody were Monica Hickerson, 33, and Willard Blaise, 49. Blaise and Hickerson were taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and child endangerment.
A Fort Riley soldier is facing numerous charges after a domestic battery incident Riley County Police say encompassed 12 hours. According to RCPD Lieutenant Josh Kyle, Riley County Police investigated the incident, which was reported 2 p.m. on Wednesday and apparently started at 2 a.m., as a 23-year-old female reported being in a series of altercations with her husband. She also reported that she had been threatened with a blunt object. Sgt. Dustin Garrett, 25, was arrested for two misdemeanor charges, including Domestic Battery and Intimidating a Witness, as well asone count of aggravated assault. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.…
KMAN reported Thursday about a series of car break-ins, and three more have been added to the list. Two cars at Kensington Court were reported to have been broke into, as well as a car on the 400 Block of Walters St. One of the cars on Kensington was reported to have a $150 pair of Oakleaf fuel cell sunglasses taken. All of these cars were unlocked. Riley County Lieutenant, Josh Kyle, cautions citizens to “lock their vehicles” and “keep valuable items out of view” to avoid these types of break-ins from occuring.
Giving blood can save a life, and there are a few opportunities to donate coming up very soon. The Manhattan Community Blood Drive will be held March 27-28 at Pottorf Hall. As always, new donors are always needed, which is especially true in the next few weeks. “One of the things that may be a little concern this time is that we have Kansas State University”s blood drive coming up,” Kristi Ingalls, American Red Cross Senior Donor Recruitment Representative, says. “And we also have the Manhattan High School’s blood drive, so we’ll be using several of those regular donors who…