LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is ending operation of a special drug-focused unit, calling its structure outdated as the department moves away from focusing on “low-level users.” Sheriff’s office spokesman Jenn Hethcoat told the Lawrence Journal-World that the decision to dissolve the unit that works with Lawrence police was finalized in November. Hethcoat says the office will continue to operate a special investigative unit but with a focus on crimes related to drug activity, “not low-level users who would benefit more directly from behavioral health support than incarceration.” The county’s new sheriff, Jay Armbrister, takes office Jan.…
Author: KMAN Staff
Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman joined us for a discussion on county matters and looked ahead to 2021 priorities. Kansas State Sen. Tom Hawk joined us for a 2021 legislative preview. State lawmakers convene the new session in Topeka on Jan. 11.
OMAHA, Neb. — Four Midwestern universities have formed a space-oriented academic and research alliance aimed at luring the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The Omaha World-Herald reports that University of Nebraska President Ted Carter says the partnership with the University of North Dakota, Kansas State University and Purdue would develop new degree programs and research initiatives. Offutt is among the six finalists to become the headquarters. Other finalists are Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Redstone Army Airfield in Alabama and…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A legally blind artist from the Kansas City area whose work generated millions of dollars in charity has died. The Kansas City Star reports that Jeff Hanson of Overland Park, Kansas, was 27 when he died Sunday. He had been diagnosed with a new brain tumor associated with neurofibromatosis in October. Hanson found art after he lost most of his vision in 2005 because of a tumor on his optic nerve. He began painting at age 12 while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Hanson sold paintings to Elton John, Billy Joel, Warren Buffett and others, generating proceeds…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting and wounding of a police officer earlier this month in Kansas City, Kansas. The Olathe Police Department said in a news release that the Kansas City, Kansas man was taken into custody Sunday in rural Miami County with the assistance of the Miami County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The suspect’s identity was not immediately released. The arrest stems from an exchange of gunfire that occurred Dec. 15 between the suspect and the Kansas City, Kansas police officer in Overland Park, Kansas.…
WICHITA, Kan. — A lawsuit filed by Wichita’s mayor against three GOP officials who were behind a smear campaign against the mayor will be allowed to move forward after a judge rejected a motion to dismiss it. The lawsuit is related to an ad published on YouTube during the mayoral election last year that falsely suggested that Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple was accused of sexual harassment when he served in the Kansas Legislature. In a recording from last year that was released this fall, Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell, Wichita City Council member James Clendenin and state Rep. Michael Capp…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Star’s top editor has apologized for past decades of racially biased coverage. The newspaper also has posted a series of stories examining how it ignored the concerns and achievements of Black residents and helped keep Kansas City segregated. The newspaper said a detailed examination of its past coverage and that of its longtime sister newspaper, the Kansas City Times, documented how they often wrote about Black residents only either as criminals or people living in crime-plagued neighborhoods and ignored segregation in Kansas City, Missouri, and its public schools. The Star posted its apology…
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property and theft in the 150 block of E. Poyntz Ave. in Manhattan on December 18, 2020, at approximately 10:07 a.m. Officers listed Quality Inn as…
Manhattan’s Customer Service Department is closed the rest of this week due to staffing shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City says in a release that services are still available by phone and online. Utility payments can be made using the drop box in the southeast parking lot at City Hall or via cityofmhk.com. To request utility connection or disconnection, please call 785-587-2480. City Hall is open through Wednesday and closed Thursday and Friday for Christmas. “We continue to do everything we can to minimize the spread of the disease, protect our employees and customers, and provide services for…