Author: KMAN Staff

Election season is coming not only at the national level, but also in a number of local positions. One such position is Pottawatomie County Sheriff, and current Sheriff Greg Riat has filed for re-election. Riat has been with the Sheriff’s department since 1989, working his way up from Patrolman. He adds that his staff is a major asset. “We’ve put together a really good team up here, and I think that’s so important to keep a good team in place that keeps up the good work and keeps our County safe.” Riat adds that he’s a lifelong Pottawatomie County resident,…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Wichita police say a man who was fatally shot in the Old Town section of the city fired at police officers several times. The man was identified Monday as 23-year-old Marquez Smart. Four other people were wounded in the shooting early Saturday but it was unclear if they were hit by bullets shot by Smart or by police officers. Chief Norman Williams says Smart fired at least two shots while walking with a crowd and then ran. Smith says when Smart approached officers who were in the area, he fired more shots and ignored several orders to…

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) A man shot Saturday night during a confrontation with Kansas City, Kan., police officers has died. Police said on Monday that the man was shot Saturday night after officers answered a call of an armed disturbance. Police say the man was armed with a knife and two officers fired at him. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died. The Kansas City Star reports that the officers were not injured and have been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas House has delayed debate on a bill that would cut the state’s sales and income taxes in what supporters see as a push for economic growth. The debate was postponed until Tuesday because of scheduling issues Monday with other committees and other logistics. The measure would promise future cuts to individual income taxes as revenues grow, forcing the state to stop the annual growth in its spending at 2 percent. The state would phase out taxes on the earnings of thousands of partnerships, sole proprietorships and other small businesses. The sales tax rate also would…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Concealed carry permit holders in Kansas would be allowed to carry their weapons in more places under a bill heading to the Senate. The measure would allow concealed carry permit holders to carry weapons in public buildings that lack adequate security, such as metal detectors and security guards. The House approved the changes Monday on a 70-54 vote. The changes would apply to all public buildings. Allowing the weapons is also viewed as an economic issue because of the cost associated with providing metal detectors and guards at entrances to each public building across Kansas. Hospitals, colleges…

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) House members have approved a measure that provides Kansas cities and counties with $90 million property tax relief while requiring public notification when property valuations increase. The bill, approved Monday 101-23, goes to the Senate. It restores a city-county revenue sharing program that ran from 1938 to 2004, and it requires the local governments to use the money to reduce property taxes. The bill would share $45 million in both 2013 and 2014. The bill includes a requirement that cities and counties lower their property tax rates when the overall valuation has increased. The intent is to…

HUGOTON, Kan. (AP) A Spanish company is building a plant in southwest Kansas where grass and other crop residue will be turned into fuel. Madrid-based Abengoa Bioenergy is building its first commercial plant in Hugoton. The facility is expected to use about 1,300 tons of crop residue and grass a day to make ethanol. Tom Robb, manager of the product division of Abengoa, tells The Hutchinson News the site is expected to be producing ethanol by late 2013 or early 2014. The plant is projected to have 65 permanent jobs with an annual payroll of $5 million when it’s operating.…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Hawker Beechcraft is furloughing employees because of a shortage of materials on two composite jets. The Wichita-based company says it will furlough employees who work on final assembly of Premier 1A and Hawker 4000 business jets inside Plant IV. Spokeswoman Nicole Alexander says the furloughs will be held on a rolling basis over the next 30 to 60 days, and last between 30 and 45 days. The Wichita Eagle reports employees working on the planes in Plant 3 are already on furlough because of the material shortages. She says the composite materials are in short supply because…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Heath Foundation is launching a new campaign to draw attention to what it calls a crisis in dental health care in Kansas. The campaign, called “Truth about Teeth,” launched Monday. It will use billboards, media ads, a website and a Facebook page to spread the message that poor dental health affects overall health. Steve Coen, CEO of the foundation, says a lack of access, high costs and a shortage of dentists have contributed to Kansas’ poor oral health. The Wichita Eagle reports the campaign will use ads with words such as “decay” and “gross” plastered…