TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Some county officials are asking Kansas lawmakers to clarify whether back taxes on personal property follow the property, or be assessed to its owner.

The confusion arises when someone buys property, such as a boat or trailer, and then discovers the previous owner had not paid all the taxes. The state says the unpaid taxes follow the property. But some counties say the original owner should be responsible for paying the delinquent taxes.

Kansas officials say state law clearly requires that the tax bill stay with the property. However, many counties do not interpret the law that way.

The discrepancy became more apparent when the Kansas Department of Revenue launched a program in May 2012 that allows county treasurers to more easily communicate with each other.

(AP) — A proposal to form a new state in northern Colorado is getting public support.

More than four dozen people showed up Thursday at the first public meeting to discuss a proposal to form a 51st state. Most of them said they support secession.

The residents from Weld, Morgan, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Yuma and Kit Carson counties are included in the discussion.

The U.S. Constitution requires that legislatures must first approve any state that is to be created within its jurisdiction.

Commissioners say legislative efforts to crack down on energy drilling and gun laws are prime reasons for the movement.

(AP) — The U.S. Park Police in Washington say the Lincoln Memorial has been temporarily closed after someone splattered a splash of green paint on the statue.

Police say the apparent vandalism was discovered around 1:30 a.m. Friday on the statue, the pedestal and the floor. No words, letters or symbols were visible in the paint.

Capt. Steven Booker says the paint spill “appears intentional based off of the splatter.” He says police are reviewing security camera footage to try to identify possible suspects.

Police say the memorial will be closed until the National Park Service maintenance crew can clean up the paint, which is expected to happen later Friday.

The memorial, one of the most popular sites on the National Mall, was dedicated in 1922 to the nation’s 16th president.

(AP) — Kansas authorities say a suspect in at Texas homicide is hospitalized in Wichita with critical injuries and burns after a police pursuit in south-central Kansas.

Kansas Turnpike Authority Lt. John Lehnherr says a trooper saw a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Anthony Ford heading south on the turnpike Thursday near Belle Plaine.

Ford is a suspect in the stabbing death of a 23-year-old woman in Mansfield, Texas, on Sunday.

When troopers tried to stop Ford’s vehicle near Wellington, the driver fled. The chase reached speeds of 110 to 120 mph before Ford’s vehicle left the road, flipped onto its top and caught fire. Ford is under guard at a Wichita hospital while being treated for his injuries.

No one else was hurt.

(AP) — Some of the 11 dogs that were left abandoned in a Salina home are ready for adoption.

The Salina Animal shelter has been caring for the four puppies and seven adult dogs since they were found in north Salina this week.

Animal shelter coordinator Rose Base said renters left the dogs in the house, in the garage and in cages outside when they moved out at least a week ago. No food or fresh water was left with the animals.

The dogs were found when the home owner and utility worker went to the house to shut off electrical service.

The adult dogs will be ready for adoption starting today. The puppies will be available Aug. 6.

A Salina man was indicted on federal charges in Topeka Thursday.

22-year-old Kalun James Purucker, who is being held in the Saline County Jail, is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction.

The crime is alleged to have occurred April 9, 2013, in Saline County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Duston Slinkard is prosecuting.