WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A 37-year-old Wichita man will be sentenced April 12 for driving drunk and causing an accident that killed a Wichita State University student and injured two others. Thirty-seven-year-old Tommie Lee Cameron Jr. pleaded guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence. Cameron had been charged with second-degree murder in the July 2010 death of 21-year-old Kari Rinehart. She died when Cameron’s car crashed nearly head-on into Rinehart’s car. Cameron also pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery for injuring Rinehart’s identical twin, Kati Rinehart, and friend, Reva Sams in the crash.
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A federal judge in Kansas is expected to hear evidence on claims that a federal firearms sting in Wichita was racially motivated. At least 43 of 51 people facing federal charges from the months-long operation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are black. Lawyers for some of the defendants contend the operation targeted black males because the ATF’s bogus pawn shop was located in a neighborhood with one of the city’s highest concentrations of African-Americans. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot scheduled an evidentiary hearing in the case Tuesday afternoon. The government argues the claim…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas House committee is considering legislation that would eliminate state funding for remedial courses at state universities and community colleges. Testimony on the bill is scheduled Wednesday before the House Appropriations Committee. The measure would prohibit Board of Regents colleges and universities from using state funds to teach language arts or math courses designed to give students basic skills before they take formal college courses. Universities and community colleges could still offer such courses, but funding would have to come from private or endowment sources. The bill would also reduce to 5 percent from the current…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas prosecutor hasn’t decided whether to file criminal charges against a man who parked a pickup truck carrying homemade fireworks near the Statehouse. Lee McGowan, chief of staff to Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor, said Monday that the Capitol Police are still wrapping up their investigation of the Feb. 15 incident. The Capitol Police initially described the devices found in the pickup as improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs, but later said they were illegal fireworks. The truck’s owner parked the vehicle in a lot at the Kansas Judicial Center, across the street from the…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A Kansas doctor serving a two-year prison sentence says he felt coerced and pressured when he pleaded guilty to unlawfully prescribing painkillers to a woman he never met. Lawrence Simons testified in federal court Monday on his claim that his previous attorney provided ineffective counsel. U.S. District Judge Monti Belot heard more than three hours of testimony but did not immediately rule. Simons, of Goddard, is scheduled to complete his prison term March 7. He wants the judge to remove a prohibition barring him from practicing medicine during his supervised release. He contends he is innocent and…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Police in Wichita say a 2-year-old boy suffered scrapes, cuts and a swollen lip after unbuckling a seat belt and tumbling unnoticed from his mother’s moving car. Residents spotted the toddler running down the street in a quiet neighborhood Sunday afternoon, crying and bleeding from his nose and lip. The Wichita Eagle reports the boy fell out the back seat of his mother’s car after unbuckling a seat belt and opening the door. The 22-year-old mother didn’t notice the toddler missing she arrived home, more than a mile away. She retraced the route and found a woman…
COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) A veteran Kansas House member from the state’s southeast corner won’t be running again this year. Seven-term Democrat Doug Gatewood, of Columbus, announced Monday he’s giving up the seat he’s held for 14 years because he’s taking a job in the private sector. The Cherokee County News-Advocate reports the 56-year-old lawmaker said he’ll announce the identity of his new employer in two weeks. But he did say he’ll be part of a private-public partnership that will bring jobs to the area. Gatewood serves on powerful House Appropriations Committee. He’s also the ranking Democrat on the Transportation and…
A 6-run sixth inning including a Danny Hayes grand slam inning powered Oregon State to a 13-5 victory over K-State in the final game of the San Diego Tournament. Hayes’ grand slam gave the Beavers an 11-4 lead, and was followed up by a Ryan Barnes 2-run double. Oregon State jumped out to a 6-0 lead thanks to two other home runs. Jake Rodriguez hit a solo shot that jumpstarted a 4-run 2nd inning, and Michael Conforto added a two-run home run in the third inning. K-State lefty Jared Moore (0-1) gave up all six runs in his first collegiate…
KMAN’s Chris Swick takes a look at Your Health for KMAN’s Morning News.
Kansas State University students Erin White of Overland Park, and Rachel Hoppins of Wichita, have been named finalists for the 2012 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Out of 587 students that applied for the scholarship, Hoppins and White are among 191 candidates from 124 colleges and universities who have advanced to the final round. As finalists, they will participate in scholarship interviews March 5 in Kansas City, Mo. Scholarship winners will be announced March 30. First in the nation among all public universities in Truman Scholarship recipients, Kansas State University has had 33 students awarded the scholarship. The Truman Scholarship recognizes college students…