WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) along with Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) Tuesday introduced legislation to authorize the honorary promotion of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole to the grade of colonel in the U.S. Army. Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) will introduce a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives today as well.

Today, on #KansasDay, I introduced legislation along with @JerryMoran and @RogerMarshallMD for @SenatorDole to receive an honorary military promotion to colonel. Read more here: https://t.co/cgXD9MzPpS pic.twitter.com/XHQqP1EPDY

— Senator Pat Roberts (@SenPatRoberts) January 29, 2019

“Kansas’ favorite son, Senator Bob Dole, is a true American hero and has earned this honorary promotion to colonel by his countless acts of valor and contributions to the U.S. military during his time at war and later while serving in Congress,” said Sen. Roberts. “Senator Dole has always been an advocate for our men and women in uniform, and I’m proud to introduce this legislation to honor him with the promotion, which he has more than earned throughout his decades of service.”

“I can think of no one more worthy of an honorary promotion to the rank of colonel in the United States Army than my good friend and mentor, Sen. Bob Dole,” said Sen. Moran. “From his time in the military and in Congress, to his continued leadership on veterans, hunger and disability issues, he is a true model of public service for Kansans and all Americans. It is only fitting that Sen. Dole be promoted for his exemplary service and sacrifice as an Army officer.”

“Senator Bob Dole embodies what it means to be a Kansan and an American. He has dedicated his entire life to this country and our state. There is absolutely no man more deserving of this honorary promotion than Senator Dole. He has been a champion for our military and has the full support of the Kansas delegation and the U.S. Army,” said Rep. Marshall.

Dole enrolled in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps in 1942 while he was a student at the University of Kansas. He was called to active duty the following year and served in World War II. While deployed to Italy as an infantry lieutenant, he was seriously wounded in combat and was twice cited for acts of heroism under fire. He finished his military service with two Purple Hearts and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal with “v” device for valor. He was also awarded the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal and the World War II Victory medal.

Following his military service, Dole was elected to Congress where he served from 1961 to 1969. He was then elected to the Senate where he served from 1969 until 1996.

Dole received the Congressional Gold Medal last year, after all 100 senators cosponsored legislation for this award. Senator Dole is only the 8th senator to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1997.

Sens. Roberts, Moran and Rep. Marshall introduced this legislation after an Army advisory panel reviewed Dole’s service to the Armed Forces, veterans and the national security of the United States in 2018 and recommended Dole receive an honorary promotion from captain to colonel. The Secretary of the Army endorsed this recommendation and forwarded it to Congress for further action. This honorary promotion will have no cost to taxpayers.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A prison inmate has admitted to fracturing another inmate’s skull with a metal pipe, leaving the man in a “semi-vegetative state” for several months.

49-year-old Jimmy Eastep Jr., pleaded guilty Monday to assault with a dangerous weapon.

According to his plea agreement, Eastep assaulted 52-year-old Michael Seaman at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth in January 2016 after Seaman called him a name.

Investigators found a 20-inch metal pipe with blood next to Seaman.

Investigators say Seaman was not able to communicate with them for almost a year.

Eastep was linked to the assault by DNA testing.

The plea agreement calls for Eastep to be sentenced to another 3.5 years in prison.

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery.

Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, the Riley County Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a robbery in the 2000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd at United Bank and Trust in Manhattan, according to a media release from RCPD.

Suspects were described as two black males, approximately 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6 inches tall and slender build.  Both suspects entered the bank.

Suspect one, who was dressed in all black, remained near the entrance of the bank.  Suspect two approached a teller and presented a demand note.  He was described as wearing a black coat, with a black hoodie underneath and black pants.

No weapon was shown or threatened.  No one was injured.  The suspects fled the bank on foot eastbound with an undisclosed amount of currency.

We will report additional details as they become available.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 43-year-old Topeka man who was once convicted of setting a fire that killed a 53-year-old woman has pleaded not guilty in a court-ordered retrial.

Frank Jerome Robinson entered the plea Monday to charges connected to a fire that destroyed an apartment house in 2006, killing 53-year-old Marvina Washington.

He is charged with reckless second-degree murder and aggravated arson. A trial date was not scheduled.

Robinson was convicted in 2009 of reckless second-degree murder and aggravated arson. He was sentenced to 36.5 years in prison.

The Kansas Court of appeals ruled in January that Robinson should receive a new trial because his attorney at the original trial didn’t provide an adequate defense.

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman for alleged theft.

An audit at Lorenson Industries, 461 E. Avenue A in Salina where 69-year-old Marsha Bolen was employed, revealed that since at least the fall of 2017, she had been using company funds to pay personal bills, according to Saline County Sheriff’s Captain Jim Hughes.

On Monday, deputies arrested her on suspicion of theft of services/property and unlawful use of a computer.

Hughes said that so far, $2,500 in misused funds had been discovered.

Bolen had several different job responsibilities at Lorenson Industries, including front receptionist and bookkeeping, according to Hughes.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities have identified the woman who died in an accident just before 2p.m. Monday in Wichita.

A Ford Escort driven by a 28-year-old woman was northbound on Webb Road and attempted to make a left turn into a private parking lot, according officer Paul Cruz.  The vehicle collided head-on with a southbound Chevy Cavalier driven by a 34-year-old man.

A passenger in the Cavalier  Treva Phillips, 82, Wichita, was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Webb Road at 35^thStreet was closed in both directions while police investigated the crash, according to Cruz.

Police have not released names of the drivers.