TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Shawnee County judge quickly dismissed a civil action to remove a Topeka city councilman charged with child abuse from the council. But prosecutors say they will refile the action later.

In a hearing Friday, Judge Franklin Theis dismissed the ouster effort against Jonathan Robert Schumm.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the district attorney’s office sought the dismissal earlier in the day. But prosecutors said they would refile the civil action after the criminal case against Schumm is resolved.

Schumm and his wife, Allison Nicole Schumm, are charged with one criminal count each of aggravated battery and four counts of endangering a child. Court records show that Jonathan Schumm is accused of choking a child and threatening to “kill him.”

He has denied the allegations.

MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — New dietary guidelines released by the government say that some Americans may not have to cut back on eggs and salt as much as they once thought. And eating lean meat is still OK. But watch the sugary drinks. See more here.

The guidelines released Thursday back off the strictest sodium rules included in the last version, though Americans still consume too much salt. It reverses guidance on the dangers of dietary cholesterol and adds new advice on sugars.

Released every five years, the guidelines are intended to help Americans prevent disease and obesity. They inform everything from package labels to subsidized school lunches to doctors’ advice. The main message is similar to previous years: Eat your fruits and vegetables. Whole grains and seafood, too. And keep sugar, fats and salt in moderation.

MCPHERSON COUNTY -In response to reports of two recent cattle mutilations, in addition to current reward offers, Kansas Farm Bureau, along with McPherson and Harvey County Farm Bureaus, according to a media release, are offering a $3,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the deaths.

A cow was found dead and mutilated in a McPherson County pasture on Jan. 1.

A family vet conducted an autopsy and discovered there were no bullet holes and nothing was visibly wrong with the animal.

Another report confirmed a bull was killed and mutilated in Harvey County, Dec. 18.  This incident in southeast Harvey County likely occurred the night of Dec. 17.

The only conclusion was that both animal deaths were not natural.

Both livestock deaths remain under investigation.

McPherson County farmer John Shearer is also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to anyone responsible for killing the cows.

Anyone with information should contact local law enforcement.

 

TOPEKA –– Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has sued an Iowa-based door-to-door meat sales company for violations of consumer protection laws in Kansas, according to a media release.

The attorney general filed suit in Shawnee County District Court against Christopher Maselka, and individual, and Iowa Steak Company, LLC, a/k/a Iowa Steak Company, a/k/a Iowa Steak. The company is an Iowa limited liability corporation owned by Mr. Maselka whose salesmen go door-to-door selling meat products. The allegations include two violations of the Kansas Food Advertising and Sales Practices Act and five violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.

Mr. Maselka was previously prohibited from engaging in such business practices in Kansas by a 1998 court order for committing similar violations. At that time, the defendant was operating with a co-defendant, Rodney Y. Creighton, and doing business under the name America’s Choice Steak.

Schmidt reminded consumers that under Kansas law, any door-to-door sale must include a three-day right to cancel, and the salesperson must inform the consumer of this right both verbally and in writing at the time of the sale. The salesperson must also wait at least five business days to cash the consumer’s check. Anyone selling meat in Kansas is also required to have a retail meat license from the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

Iowa Steak salesmen were recently spotted making sales in the Overland Park and Lawrence areas. To report an unlawful door-to-door sale or to report contact with this individual or company, call the attorney general’s consumer protection division at (800) 432-2310 or file a complaint online at www.InYourCornerKansas.org .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A tax amnesty program designed to help balance the Kansas budget has generated only about three-quarters of what lawmakers expected.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the program brought in about $23 million, which fell about $7 million short of the $30 million that was anticipated.

The Legislature and Gov. Sam Brownback passed the amnesty program this past spring as part of a massive revenue package to raise $400 million to balance the state budget. The program ran from Sept. 1 through Oct. 15.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, provided the $23 million figure to The Capital-Journal. It matched what House Tax Committee chairman Marvin Kleeb said he understood the program had generated.

Kleeb, an Overland Park Republican, says the program was successful, despite falling short of the estimate.

HUTCHINSON – A Kansas woman with a substantial criminal past was granted community corrections Friday by Judge Tim Chambers after the state agreed to go along with the defense recommendation.

Sheila Davison, 53, Hutchinson, was convicted of distribution of methamphetamine and driving on a suspended license.

The judge gave her a total sentence of over 10-years, three months in prison, but then granted corrections for three years.

Davison was stopped by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy in the 1400 block of North Main back in March of 2014.

A search was done on her purse and they found three zip-lock bags that contained a crystal substance which field tested positive for methamphetamine.

The total weight allegedly came to 22.2 grams. They also allegedly found in a zipper bag over 900-dollars in cash and suspected owe sheets.

In addition to a flee and elude conviction in Reno County, she also has a previous drug conviction in Reno County as well as convictions in McPherson and Harvey Counties.

WASHINGTON – Today the House Small Business Committee announced that Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) has been named the new chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access.

In a media release, Huelskamp said of his new Chairmanship, “From family farms, to small manufacturers and our community banks, small businesses are the lifeblood of the Kansas economy. It will be an honor to serve as Chairman of this Subcommittee and shine a light on issues that are so important to our way of life. As Chairman, I will invite small business owners, employees, farmers, bankers, and others to give their insight how the federal government can work better for them, or simply just get out of their way.”

 

I’m the new Chairman of the @HouseSmallBiz Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. https://t.co/GfaMxcyUsO

— Cong. Tim Huelskamp (@CongHuelskamp) January 8, 2016

 

This new role will provide Huelskamp opportunities to highlight topics important to Kansas small businesses, the backbone of the state’s economy. Huelskamp’s priorities include evaluating the current tax code that is hurting small businesses, halting harmful regulations on farmers and many other small businesses, such as the radical Waters of the U.S. rule, and reducing the burden of Dodd-Frank’s overregulation of the community banks upon which our small businesses rely.

“Congressman Huelskamp is a strong advocate for small businesses, fighting against government overregulation and interference. He knows small business is where the jobs are and he’s proven to be a champion for the little guys,” said Randy O’Boyle, president of Ultra Electronics ICE, Inc in Manhattan.

“As the owner of an independent pharmacy in rural Kansas, I know first-hand how government regulations are strangling small business,” said Patrick Hilger, pharmacist and owner, Gregwire Health Mart in Russell. “ I cannot afford to hire a team of lobbyists like the large corporations do, so we rely on our elected representative to stand up for the small guy out here. Congressman Huelskamp is an advocate for small businesses and our rural communities. His leadership as Chairman of this important Subcommittee will give people like me a stronger voice and oversight on critical issues facing our industry.”

“Congressman Huelskamp’s promotion to Chairmanship of this important Subcommittee is a huge win for small manufacturers across the state,” said Tony Schleich, president of American Packaging in Hutchinson. “His tenacious and unrelenting efforts protecting Kansas small businesses allow our voices to be heard clearly in D.C.”

Todd Godrey, president of Godfrey’s Indoor Shooting and Archery Range in Junction, commented on the implications of the subcommittee being led by a strong defender of the Second Amendment. “We feel that protecting your 2nd Amendment is our top priority, and that having Congressman Huelskamp leading the Small Business subcommittee, will give us a National voice in ensuring that the constitutional rights of all small Kansas businesses are heard. His leadership on this Subcommittee is essential in pushing back against the Obama Administration that is doing everything in their power to infringe on the rights of citizens to bear arms.”

“Congressman Huelskamp listens to his constituents first and foremost,” said Chairman Chabot, the Chairman of the full Small Business Committee. “That’s what small businesses need from their representatives in Washington, and that is what will make him a great leader for the Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Subcommittee.”

This marks another recent victory for conservatives under new House Speaker Ryan. In December, Congressman Huelskamp was also elected by his colleagues to the powerful House Steering Committee which makes selections for all other House Committees.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Department of Administration has apologized after several state employees were mistakenly notified that they had been fired.

Department spokesman John Milburn said Thursday a computer glitch caused the problem. The email was intended for people who retired or were fired last year, saying the state would no longer furnish them with W-2 forms.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the email was instead went to 3,800 state employees. Milburn says he wasn’t sure how many people on the list should have received the email.

The administration department sent an email Thursday apologizing for the mistake.

WICHITA –Three people were injured in an accident just before 8:30 a.m. on Friday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Subaru passenger vehicle driven by James Hunter Thompson, 36, Wichita, was on the ramp from 13th Street to southbound Interstate 235.

The vehicle went through the gore area and hit a 1997 Honda passenger vehicle driven by Byron N. Loibl, 46, Wichita.

The collision caused the Honda to roll.

Loibl, a 6-year-old and a 7-year-old in the Honda were transported to Wesley Medical Center.

Thompson was not injured.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

SALINA- Law enforcement authorities in Dickinson and Saline County are investigating suspects in an alleged drug distribution group.

On Tuesday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, along with assistance from the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Salina Police Department, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security culminated a multi-month investigation into a large scale drug distribution group in Central Kansas, according to a media release.

The agencies executed four search warrants at the following locations including 759 Seneca Avenue, 1018 Otto Avenue, and 3343 Ringneck Crossing in Salina and 552 1400 Avenue in Abilene.

Three people were arrested at the locations for various narcotics related charges.

According to Saline County arrest records, 23-year-old Adrian Garcia, of 552 1400 Avenue in Abilene, and 25-year-old Francisco Carrillo-Elias of 3343 Ringneck Crossing, were arrested on January 5th on drug possession and distribution charges.

Law Enforcement also seized approximately 18 pounds of methamphetamine and numerous firearms.

Additional charges are being considered, according to the KBI.