WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has ruled that Secretary of State Kris Kobach has no legal right to bar people who register to vote using a federal form from voting in local and state elections.
Shawnee County District Judge Franklin Theis (Tice) ruled Friday in favor of two Kansas voters who challenged how Kobach is enforcing a state proof-of-citizenship requirement for registering to vote.
The judge said Kobach had no authority to “encumber the voting process” by declaring that voters who use a federal form to register can cast ballots only in federal races. The federal form does not require proof of citizenship.
The court found the right to vote under current Kansas law is not tied to the method of registration.
SALINE COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 1p.m. on Friday in Saline County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by Lathan M. Griffith, 18, Middletown, was northbound on Niles Road two miles east of New Cambria.
The driver failed to yield to a 2001 Chevy Malibu driven by Jayna Kay Mikesell, 33, Abilene, that was westbound on Old US-40
The Malibu collided with the Silverado.
Mikesell was transported to Salina Regional Medical Center.
Griffith was not injured.
Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A southern Missouri man has been sentenced to five years of probation for purchasing one of the shotguns that a white supremacist used in a deadly attack at two Jewish sites in suburban Kansas City.
Forty-nine-year-old John Mark Reidle, of Aurora, was sentenced Thursday in federal court in Springfield. He previously admitted to falsely claiming he was buying the gun for himself on a federal form on April 9, 2014.
Four days later, convicted killer Frazier Glenn Miller killed three people in Overland Park, Kansas. Miller said he was targeting Jews but none of the victims were Jewish.
The Joplin Globe reports that Judge Beth Phillips said Miller took advantage of Reidle’s limited intellectual ability.
Reidle will be confined at home during the first six months of his sentence.
Officials at Dillons stores have announced renovation plans for their location Dillon at 1902 Vine Street in Hays to provide customers with even more of what they want, an abundance of fresh foods at a great value, customer-friendly service and convenient one-stop shopping.
The construction project is currently underway and is expected to be completed this summer.
The announcement of this upcoming remodel project marks another multi-million dollar investment for the company in Hays following the recent renovation at the Dillons on Hall Street.
These investments continue to be attributed to Dillons steadfast commitment to the community providing convenient shopping experiences for its customers.
When complete, the newly remodeled Dillons will feature enhancements throughout the store
A few examples include:
Gourmet cheese shop offering imported and domestic specialty cheeses and an olive antipasto bar
New sushi kiosk with fresh, hand-made sushi
Starbucks coffee kiosk
New café dining area with free wireless internet, perfect enjoying a meal away from home or a Starbucks coffee break
Enhanced offerings of fresh meat and seafood with added emphasis on selection and service
Additional selections of garden-fresh produce, including organic varieties and a salad bar
Expanded offerings of natural and organic foods
New beverage center with fountain sodas and coffee
New Pharmacy with private counsel rooms
Updated sections of sports apparel and fan gear, including local and state teams
Soothing atmosphere in the health and beauty sections with beautiful wooden showcases and new overhead directional signs
New check-lanes and familiar conveniences at Customer Service
Enhanced frozen food and grocery offerings wth a focus on quality store brands, including its new budget-friendly line Kroger Value
Fresh décor package with warm colors, upgraded department markers, and energy-efficient ambient lighting
According to Sheila Lowrie, Dillons spokesperson, the renovated store will provide busy customers with a one-stop shopping experience.
“We are sure customers will be thrilled with the new look and offerings, following our renovation,” Lowrie said.
“These enhancements will allow us to focus even more attention on providing what our customers want – freshness, variety service, and value – all at their neighborhood Dillons.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s anti-discrimination statute is drawing opposition.
The Wichita Eagle reports that the measure would make it illegal to fire or evict someone for being gay or transgender, and ensure equal access to public accommodation.
Supporters of the bill consider it necessary because the LGBT community in Kansas routinely faces discrimination.
Opponents counter that the measure would make Kansans who oppose same-sex marriage on religious grounds vulnerable to lawsuits, and that transgender women would be allowed to enter women’s bathrooms.
Current law shields Kansans from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations based on race, religion, color, sex, disability, family status, national origin or ancestry.
SALINE COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man involved in high-speed chase for the second time in less than a month.
Just after 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, a Sheriff’s deputy tried to pulled over a 2006 Buick Lucerne driven by Vernon L. Howard, 39, Salina, on Interstate 135 at Water Well for speeding, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan.
The vehicle left the interstate at the Water Well Road exit and did not stop.
Howard drove eastbound at a speed over 100 miles per hour.
Three passengers jumped out of the car in the area of Simpson Road while the car was going 40-50 miles per hour.
The pursuit ended when the car went into a field near Cunningham Road. Howard ran from the car.
Photo- Saline County Sheriff’s Office.
With the use of night vision equipment, he was apprehended. Saline County Reserve deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in the brief search.
Howard was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges that include flee and elude, obstruction, and kidnapping.
The kidnapping charges are requested because two passengers, 19-year-old Halie McPherson, and 29-year-old Kyle Young, both of Wichita, had asked Howard to stop so they could get out of the car.
They, along with 32-year-old Robert Scott Jr., were treated for minor scrapes after jumping out of the car.
The three were getting a ride from Wichita to Junction City. Scott was booked into the jail on an outstanding warrant from Geary County.
On December 17, Howard was involved in a high speed chase with Salina Police that ended after the car he was in, hit a curb on East Crawford near Bill Burke Park. In that chase speeds were reached 75 miles per hour, according to police.
With construction projects looming over the Fort Hays State University campus, parking will become scarce, but students will be able to park at Gross Memorial Coliseum and take a new shuttle service.
The service will begin Sunday, Jan. 17, and Monday, Jan. 18, as students move back into the residence halls. On Tuesday, Jan. 19, the shuttles will begin full route.
The shuttle service will stop at eight different locations around campus, marked by red and white “No Parking Bus Stop” signs, and will wait at each stop for one minute to allow students to load and unload.
Stop 1: Gate 2 of Gross Memorial Coliseum.
Stop 2: Mailboxes at the corner of Dwight and Lyman.
Stop 3: Stadium Place Apartments on Lewis Drive.
Stop 4: Across the street from Heather Hall, at the corner of Dwight and Custer.
Stop 5: In front of McMindes Hall, at the corner of Agnew Lane and Custer Drive.
Stop 6: Across the street from Forsyth Library.
Stop 7: At the bronze Tiger in front of the Memorial Union.
Stop 8: By the fountain in front of Picken Hall .
Two shuttles are scheduled to run from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. One shuttle will run from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Each shuttle takes approximately 25 minutes to run the full route.
“The goal is to have a shuttle at each stop every 10 to 12 minutes during classes,” said Jim Schreiber, director of grounds, custodial and other services.
Each shuttle holds 12 people and two wheelchairs. A decision has not been reached on whether to allow passengers to stand once the 12 seats fill up.
“We know that this will cause significant concerns for our residents, and parking will be more challenging,” said Rebecca Peterson, director of residential life. “We plan on keeping in regular communication about the shuttle service and other pertinent information about this process.”
Students are encouraged to park at the coliseum and take the shuttle back to campus, since construction will take up a significant amount of parking near Wiest Hall and Wooster Place.
An app that students can download to check where the buses are on the route is scheduled to release at the end of this month.
While the construction will be an inconvenience, “The new residence halls are going to benefit students in the long run,” said Peterson.
Groundbreaking for Greek housing near Lewis Field Stadium is set for April, and construction has already started on Dane G. Hansen Scholarship Hall, scheduled to open this fall. A replacement Wiest Hall is scheduled to open in fall 2017.
TOPEKA— The Kansas Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of the former Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center instructor who was convicted of killing his estranged wife, then setting their Kingman home on fire.
The Courts ruled that Brett Seacat’s claims his wife tried to commit suicide in the past was not enough to overcome the overwhelming evidence against him.
Seacat wanted the issue brought up in his trial , but the request was denied. Seacat was found guilty of shooting Vashti Seacat in her bedroom then setting the home ablaze in April of 2011.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years.
All of Seacat’s issues before the court of appeals went to the evidence that the district court allowed the jury to hear—the admission of certain testimony by witnesses for the State and the exclusion of certain evidence proffered by Seacat, namely the mental state of his ex wife.
Seacat challenged the trial court’s exclusion of evidence relating to Vashti’s putative depression, which he contends would have bolstered his theory that she took her own life.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has agreed to terms on one-year contracts with right-handed pitcher Louis Coleman, catcher Tony Cruz, outfielder Jarrod Dyson, catcher Drew Butera and pitcher Danny Duffy for the 2016 season, avoiding arbitration. Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Coleman, 29, pitched in both Kansas City and Omaha (AAA) last season, making 38 appearances for the Storm Chasers, where he was 8-2 with a 1.69 ERA. He pitched in four games with Kansas City during September, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings.
Cruz, 29, was acquired by the Royals on December 2, after spending the 2015 season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit .204 last season with seven doubles, two homers and 11 RBI in 69 games.
Dyson, 31, played in 90 games with the Royals during the 2015 campaign, hitting .250 with eight doubles, six triples, two homers and 26 stolen bases in 29 attempts. He scored the go-ahead run in the 12th inning in Game #5 of the World Series as Kansas City clinched its first championship in 30 years.
Butera, 32, was acquired by the club on May 7 and hit .198 with three doubles, a homer and nine runs scored in 55 games with Kansas City. He played in three postseason games, which included catching the final out in the 2015 World Series.
Duffy, 27, made 30 appearances and 24 starts for the Royals in 2015, posting a 7-8 record with a 4.08 ERA. He earned a win in Game #2 of the American League Championship Series as KC rallied for 6-3 triumph over Toronto.
The signings of five players today leave the Royals with just two unsigned arbitration-eligible players: third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.
The stores being shuttered account for a fraction of the company’s 11,000 stores worldwide and less than 1 percent of its global revenue.
The closures will affect 16,000 workers, 10,000 of them in the U.S.
The announcement comes three months after its CEO Doug McMillon told investors the world’s largest retailer would review its store fleet in amid increasing competition from all fronts, including from online rival Amazon.com.
In the U.S., 154 locations will be closed, most of them small format stores called Walmart Express, which were launched as a test program in 2011. The remaining 115 locations to close are spread over Latin America, mostly in Brazil.
In a media release, Mcmillon reported, “We said in October at our analyst meeting that it’s more important now than ever to review our portfolio and close the stores and clubs that should be closed.
Managing our portfolio is essential to maintaining a healthy business. This allows us to create an even stronger Walmart by winning with our proven store formats and deepening our relationships with customers. Ultimately, this is in the best interest of our company and reflects the priorities of our growth plan. That plan is focused on winning with stores, deepening our digital relationships with customers and enhancing critical capabilities through technology and data, a next generation supply chain and talent.
We conducted a thorough review of our stores and clubs worldwide that took into account a number of factors, including financial performance as well as strategic alignment with long-term plans. In total, the impacted stores represent less than 1% of both global square footage and revenue.
The large majority of U.S. stores closing are Walmart Express stores. While we have learned a lot from this pilot, including a deeper understanding of the everyday needs of our customers, we have decided not to proceed with this offering. We feel we can better serve our customers by focusing on Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets and by investing in e-commerce and services like Pickup.”
City commissioners reorganized the governing body during their first meeting in January rather than April to comply with new state law which move municipal elections from April to November.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
The next Hays municipal election will take place in November, 2017, with the new city commissioners seated in January, 2018.
The local change reflects new state law which passed last year and moves all local elections in Kansas from April to November.
In adopting the new ordinances, the Hays city commission changed the reorganization meeting from April to January of each year. That reorganization of the governing body was done during last night’s meeting.
Commissioners voted unanimously to have Eber Phelps continue serving as mayor through the first work session in September. Shaun Musil, currently the vice-mayor, will become mayor at the first regular meeting in September and serve until the next reorganization meeting in Jan. 2017.
During the 2015 legislative session, the Kansas legislature modified the state laws governing municipal elections. Municipal elections were moved to November with the newly-elected officials taking office in January. Elected officials that were scheduled to be up for election in April of 2017 will now face election in November of 2017 and take office January of 2018.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge has ruled that Secretary of State Kris Kobach has no legal right to bar people who register to vote using a federal form from voting in local and state elections.
