TOPEKA — The state of Kansas will create a law enforcement unit designed to combat an increase in computer crime in the state. The director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the state attorney general said Tuesday online criminal activity is rapidly increasing in Kansas. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the FBI’s internet crime center said losses by Kansas victims of cybercrime increased from $3.9 million in 2015 to $17 million in 2018. A state budget recently signed by Gov. Laura Kelly includes $1 million for the new investigative group. KBI Director Kirk Thompson said the money will allow the…
Author: KMAN Staff
OLATHE — The co-founder of a suburban Kansas City school has been found not guilty of child sexual abuse charges. Fox4KC reports 49-year-old Dennis Creason was acquitted Tuesday on several counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Creason and his wife, of Bonner Springs, co-founded founded Oaklawn Christian School in Shawnee. He was accused of lewd fondling or touching of children under the age of 14 between 2009 and early 2018. Oaklawn Christian School closed following Creason’s arrest. Creason testified during the trial that he never had sexual contact with the children. His attorneys argued the five girls who…
ULYSSES — A 17-year-old Kansas student will collect diplomas from high school and Harvard University this month. Braxton Moral received his high school degree from Ulysses High School Sunday. He will graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Harvard on May 30. The Hutchinson News reports Moral’s parents are likely to miss both graduations because his mom, Julie Moral, had kidney transplant surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center Wednesday after being on a wait list for nearly a year. The teen majored in government and minored in English through Harvard’s extension program. He took classes online during the school…
KANSAS CITY — The state of Kansas paid outside law firms at least $899,000 in an unsuccessful attempt to defund Planned Parenthood. KCUR reports records it obtained through an open records request show the state paid three high-powered East Coast law firms to defend its case for nearly three years before Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration dropped the effort in April. Planned Parenthood sued the state after then-Gov. Sam Brownback vowed to defund the organization. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified the organization in May 2016 that its Medicaid contract would be ending. Invoices from the law firms…
Officers filed a report for aggravated domestic battery in Manhattan on May 21, 2019, at approximately 3:30 PM. Officers listed a 20-year-old female as the victim and a 24-year-old male known to her as the suspect. Due to the nature of the crime reported (domestic), no additional information will be released. Officers filed a report for burglary in the 2100 block of Prairie Field Pl. in Manhattan on May 21, 2019, at approximately 5:25 PM. Officers listed Marjorie Pfister, 74, of Manhattan as the victim when she reported an unknown suspect took her purse and items inside. The estimated total…
The Manhattan City Commission called a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the potential for flooding in the area. (Full video of Tuesday’s meeting can be found above). Tuttle Creek Lake has reached the third highest water level in its history, reaching over 1126 feet as of Tuesday evening. The emergency spillway gates won’t need to be opened until the level reaches over 1136 feet — the level exceeded during 1993, the only time the gates had to be raised. In flow as of Tuesday was 17,500 cubic feet per second (CFS) and outflow was 200 CFS. Manhattan Fire Chief Scott…
TOPEKA — Kansas prison officials say 10 young male offenders damaged property inside three living units at the state’s juvenile corrections center during a Sunday evening disturbance. The state Department of Corrections said Monday that the disturbance at the Kansas Juvenile Corrections Complex in Topeka lasted almost an hour but did not result in any injuries. Investigators still are trying to determine the extent of the damage. The department released photos showing paper littering floors, furniture in disarray and drawers removed from desks. The department said the offenders involved were 17, 18 or 19 years old. Spokeswoman Jeanny Sharp said…
PHILLIPSBURG — Authorities say a 12-year-old boy has accidentally shot himself in northwest Kansas. The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that the boy called 911 around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, saying he had shot himself and needed help. The post says the child was taken to Phillips County Hospital and then transferred in an ambulance to the larger hospital in Kearney, Nebraska, in critical condition. Air crews couldn’t respond because of storms in the area. The post urged parents to secure firearms as schools let out for summer break. Phillips County is about 65 miles (105 kilometers)…
Officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property in the 3000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. in Manhattan on May 19, 2019 at approximately 7:30 AM. Officers listed Russell Merry, 54, of Manhattan and Wendy Herra, 50, of Manhattan as the victims when it was reported a known male suspect entered the victim’s vehicle and removed tools and personal items. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,441.00.
The Riley County commissioners held their first 2020 budget works session during their meeting Monday. Budget and Finance Officer Tami Robison went over the five funds directly supported with tax levy dollars. They are the general, Riley County Police Department, Capital Improvement, Economic Development, and Health Department funds. All of these accounts had variances of more than was budgeted. The variance for the general fund is $3.4 million, which is due to the interest and sales tax coming in higher than what was budgeted. The city county special highway revenue and the mortgage and recording fees also came in higher…