WICHITA — Kansas drivers can no longer be charged with a crime for refusing a field sobriety test under a new state law. The Wichita Eagle reports that a change in state law that took effect Monday means police can’t ticket suspected drivers for not taking one. But refusal to comply comes with a year-long license suspension. That is as long as the longest suspension for failing a breathalyzer or blood test. Drivers who refuse to be tested can still be prosecuted for a DUI based on other evidence. The decision to strike the law making it a separate violation…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — Authorities have confiscated an estimated $1 million in illegal drugs during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 just west of Topeka. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Indianapolis driver was booked into jail after last week’s traffic stop. The stop stemmed from a registration violation. Shawnee County sheriff’s Sgt. Todd Stallbaumer says the drugs found inside the woman’s vehicle included 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds) of cocaine and 1 kilogram (about 2 pound) of black tar heroin.
Tuesday’s guests were Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson and City Manager Ron Fehr. They previewed the upcoming City Commission meeting which includes a public partnership agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers, a public hearing and vote on a new parking lot near Woodrow Wilson Elementary, a professional services agreement to complete the Kirkwood Drive extension design as well as a discussion of the 2019 Community Survey results.
TOPEKA — The DUI case against Kansas Sen. Vic Miller has been referred to Shawnee County District Court from Topeka Municipal Court, where Miller used to be chief judge. City spokeswoman Molly Hadfield says the case was referred to the county for charging consideration due to potential conflicts. Miller was the municipal court’s administrative judge from 2011 to 2015. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the court’s website shows that the municipal charges for DUI and inattentive driving were dismissed on June 20. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay says his office has received the charging affidavit from Topeka police and the…
TOPEKA — A government transparency group says the Kansas attorney general’s office has dismissed part of a formal complaint, while continuing to investigate whether the public was denied the right under the Open Meetings Act to observe Senate business after the visitor gallery was closed during a protest. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Kansas Sunshine Coalition for Open Government sought intervention by Attorney General Derek Schmidt after the May 29 Senate session was interrupted by supporters of Medicaid expansion. Reporters were removed from the chamber during the protest. Senators, legislative staff, employees of the governor and others were allowed to…
WICHITA — Prosecutors say a 35-year-old man was sentenced to more than two years in prison for a series of attacks on a Kansas internet service provider. The U.S. attorney’s office said in a news release Monday that Michael D. Golightley of Larned contacted an entity called DDosCity to arrange for a series of denial of service attacks on Nex-Tech’s computer. Nex-Tech is an internet provider with multiple offices across Kansas. Its commercial customers include the Pawnee County Courthouse. The company was hit by three denial-of-service attacks that overloaded its servers on March 30 and 31, 2017. The government alleged…
Officers filed a report for theft in the 400 block of McCall Rd. in Manhattan on July 1, 2019, at approximately 12:45 AM. Officers listed a 16-year-old male from Manhattan as the victim when it was reported an unknown suspect took his bicycle. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $550.00. Police ask that anyone with information please contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
MANHATTAN — Riley County commissioners have voted to send the proposed 2020 budget on for an audit. Budget and Finance Officer Tami Robison went over some changes Monday that had been requested during the commission’s most recent budget session. Robison says with all the adjustments and expenditures, the proposed budget remains under the tax lid, with the projected mill levy down to 2.148 from its previous 2.18. Commission Chairman Ron Wells says he is satisfied with the budget and was not wanting to go below the tax lid more than needed. Commissioner John Ford says he wanted to lower the…
Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department officials including Community Relations Officer Melissa Kirkwood, Recreation Director Randi Clifford, Park Planner Alfonso Leyva and Little Apple Paddle event organizer Ryan McKee joined the show. Riley County Health Department Director Jennifer Green and Flint Hills Wellness Coalition Community Liaison Brandon Irwin were our guests on the second half of the show. Our conversation surrounded how African Americans in Riley County are expected to live shorter lives than any other racial or ethnic group.
Speaking from a wheelchair with his foot in a boot following an ankle injury while hiking in Arizona, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Manhattan addressed a multitude of topics and questions to an overflowing room in the Flint Hills Discovery Center Saturday morning as part of his listening tour. Agriculture Moran says the agricultural economy is “terrible” right now, adding that on-the-farm income in Kansas is down 50 percent since 2013 — in part due to weather, in part due to commodity prices. Moran says Kansas needs its export markets back and that he supports the NAFTA-replacing USMCA. He told…