WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A southeastern Kansas man has admitted pulling down a power pole in an attempt to steal copper wire, an act that knocked a radio station off the air for several hours. The U.S. Attorney’s office says 39-year-old Jeffrey Blake, of rural Scammon, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of damaging an energy facility. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced April 30. Prosecutors said Blake damaged equipment in Cherokee County owned by Heartland Rural Electric Co. and KKOW-AM around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2011. An indictment noted that KKOW is part of…
Author: KMAN Staff
SALINA, Kan. (AP) Salina will name the basketball court at its Bicentennial Center after Kurt Budke, a native of the city who died in a plane crash while coaching Oklahoma State’s women’s basketball team. Salina city commissioners voted unanimously Monday to name the court after Budke. He was one of four people killed in a plane crash during a recruiting trip in Arkansas Nov. 17. The Salina Journal reports that two friends who suggested honoring Budke hope to unveil the name on the court at the NJCAA Women’s National Championship in March. The friends plan to pay all costs associated…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) A Hutchinson man died when he was run over by a trash truck while riding his bicycle. Hutchinson police say 35-year-old Julian Olea Tomas died Monday at the scene of the accident. The Hutchinson News reports a Stutzman Refuse truck was turning when Tomas’ bicycle collided with the truck. Tomas fell off his bicycle and was run over by the truck Assistant Police Chief Troy Hoover says the truck driver didn’t see the bicycle.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A group of Kansas lawmakers have proposed a bill that would require a third of Kansas welfare recipients to pay to be tested for drugs. Under the proposal, the state will refund the cost of the tests to anyone who tests negative for drugs. Someone who tested positive would have to undergo a drug evaluation and possibly be required to attend an education or treatment program. A second positive test would require the person to attend an education or treatment program and remove him or her from welfare for a year. A third positive test would cause…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A plan from Kansas House Republicans would divert $320 million from transportation projects to replace revenue lost by a cut in state income taxes. A Department of Kansas Transportation spokesman says highway, rail and air projects could be delayed or shelved if the proposal is approved. St. Marys Republican Rep. Richard Carlson, chairman of the House Tax Committee, says financing for the transportation department would stay the same in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, before climbing again in 2016. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the GOP plan is an alternative to one proposed by Gov. Sam Brownback, who…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Wichita might have struck oil when it acquired land for a new library. City officials confirmed Monday that they are considering drilling on the land after oil experts said significant deposits of oil might be found under the site. Mayor Carl Brewer says city officials feel compelled to check the possibility that oil might be found under the land, which is in downtown Wichita near the Arkansas River. The Wichita Eagle reports oil has been found in downtown Wichita before but regulations now make it difficult to drill inside city limits. The city council hasn’t officially considered…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A plan for redrawing Kansas Senate districts is drawing strong protests because of how it was drafted by the Reapportionment Committee chairman. Chairman Tim Owens adjusted political boundaries so his challenger in the Republican primary is in a different district. The plan from Owens, an Overland Park Republican, also helps Sen. Carolyn McGinn, of Sedgwick, a fellow moderate Republican. She is chairwoman of the budget-writing Senate Ways and Means Committee. McGinn’s conservative primary challenger would be moved to a district with two incumbent conservative GOP senators. Owens said Tuesday that his proposal is only a starting point…
Now that West Virginia has settled its lawsuit with the Big East Conference and will officially join the Big 12 effective July 1st, Kansas State University released its 2012 Football Schedule Tuesday morning. The schedule is as follows: Sept. 1 MISSOURI STATE Sept. 8 MIAMI (FLA.) Sept. 15 NORTH TEXAS Sept. 22 at Oklahoma-* Sept. 29 OPEN DATE Oct. 6 KANSAS-* Oct. 13 at Iowa State-* Oct. 20 at West Virginia-* Oct. 27 TEXAS TECH-* Nov. 3 OKLAHOMA STATE-* Nov. 10 at TCU Nov. 17 at Baylor Nov. 24 OPEN DATE Dec. 1 TEXAS-*
A renowned food scientist and academic leader with significant experience at top-ranked land-grant universities will be Kansas State University’s new dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension. Dr. John D. Floros comes to Kansas State University from Pennsylvania State University, where he is a professor and head of the department of food science. His past experience includes working as an international industry consultant for more than 25 years and serving as a professor at Purdue University. Floros’ achievements include increasing enrollment in undergraduate and graduate programs at Penn State and doubling the size of…
As KMAN reported last week, four Manhattan residents, who were charged in Pottawatomie County in connection with the reported neglect of horses in December of last year, have finally been served with warrants by Riley county police. Amanda Hoke, 20, and Marcia Toy, 43, were arrested at their home, while Derrick Hoke, 22, and Derek Toy, 41, turned themselves into Riley County Police soon after. Each person was charged with 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.