TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas panel has ruled that a suburban Kansas City man who is charged with election fraud can remain on the November ballot.

The state objections board issued its ruling Monday in the case against Adam Thomas, of Olathe. The finding that the Republican candidate for the 26th District House seat can remain on the ballot has nothing to do with his pending court case.

Thomas was arrested last Thursday and charged with election perjury. Democratic state Rep. Vic Miller, of Topeka, had called for an investigation into Thomas in June after presenting evidence that he didn’t live in the district where he was running.

Thomas’ attorney, Michael Kuckelman, maintains that Thomas will be acquitted in the court case.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita city officials have approved spending up to $81 million to build a new ballpark for a Triple-A baseball franchise.

The council on Tuesday approved a plan that will also pay $2.2 million to the Wichita Wingnuts to break the independent baseball team’s lease at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, which will be torn down.

Mayor Jeff Longwell announced last week that the Triple A team will move from New Orleans to Wichita. The team is an affiliate of the Miami Marlins.

The new stadium will cost $75 million and must be completed by March 15, 2020. The city’s agreement includes building a $6 million pedestrian bridge across the Arkansas River.

The move is not final and City Manager Robert Layton said changes could still be made in the agreement.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has been charged with rape in Wichita.

Randle was charged Tuesday with two counts of rape, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, seven counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and one count of aggravated battery. He also was charged with a probation violation. His probation was revoked in two other cases.

Randle was arrested Friday after police were called to an apartment complex, where a 28-year-old woman said Randle had sexually assaulted her.

A judge set his bond at $500,000 and ordered Randle back in court Sept. 27.

Randle has been arrested numerous times in the last several years. He was sentenced to probation in June for a fight at a house party in February 2016.

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury Tuesday returned a series of criminal indictments in separate cases charging defendants with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Jose Rafael Gutierrez-Yanez, 27, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported four times. He was found in March 2018 in Sumner County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. 

Cruz Diaz-Carballo, 34, who is not a U.S. citizen, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported three times. He was found Aug. 13, 2018, in Johnson County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison. 

Otilio Benitez-Acquirre, 39, who is not a U.S. citizen, is charged with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported two times. He was found Aug. 7, 2018, in Johnson County, Kansas.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison. 

Jose Fernandez-Casas, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported Pratt County, Kansas

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison. 

Roberto Sanchez-Salas, 49, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found in September 2018 in Ellis County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting the cases.

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Police say a young girl died after she ran into a street and was hit by a truck.

The girl’s mother was seriously injured when she ran into the street to stop her and was also hit by the truck on Monday evening.

Kansas City Police spokesman Jonathon Westbrook says the case was an accident. He says the driver was not speeding and was not under the influence.

The driver immediately pulled over after the accident and is cooperating with investigators.

Westbrook says it’s unclear what prompted the girl to run into the street.

The ages and identities of the girl and mother are being withheld pending notification of relatives.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials are backing President Donald Trump’s plan to switch federal agency control of a biodefense laboratory complex under construction in the state.

The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility is currently controlled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Federal and state officials say the $1.25 billion project in Manhattan will aid efforts to prepare for agro-terrorism and research how to protect the country’s food supply.

Trump this year proposed handing over operational control of the facility to the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of his budget plan. The idea brought some concern, but federal officials and Kansas lawmakers on Monday supported the bureaucratic changeover.

Construction on the facility is about two-thirds complete. The facility is expected begin operating in 2022 or 2023.

 

———

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security toured the National Agro-Defense Facility that is under construction in Manhattan.

Today, I toured the National Bio & Agro-Defense Facility at @KState, an asset that’ll provide indispensable capabilities essential for food security in a global economy. Together with @USDA we will defend our Ag industry & public health. Learn more here: https://t.co/V5pO6vrzIL pic.twitter.com/ofoaKEJXtM

— Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen (@SecNielsen) September 10, 2018

Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen visited the facility Monday with a host of federal and state leaders. They include U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, U.S. Reps. Roger Marshall and Kevin Yoder, Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer and Kansas State President Richard Myers.

The $1.25 billion research facility, or NBAF, will study diseases that can be spread from animals to humans. The facility is expected to open in 2022.

———————

MANHATTAN – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts will host U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on a tour of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), currently under construction, and of Kansas State University’s Bio Research Institute (BRI) next door.

Roberts will be joined by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, Representatives Roger Marshall and Kevin Yoder, and Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer.

The federal and state leaders will be joined by Kansas State University President Richard Myers.

Senator Roberts invited Secretary Nielsen to see NBAF firsthand to ensure the protection of plant and animal health remains a national security priority.

SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

On Monday, police arrested 34-year-old Joe Luiz A Granado at his home in Salina, after a report he allegedly sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl.

The child told her mother that while staying at Granado’s home on August 26-27, he showed her sexually explicit online videos and assaulted her, according to Police Captain Paul Forrester.   The mother called police.

Granado is a family acquaintance and is being held on requested charges of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, promoting obscenity to a minor, and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, according to Forrester.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Manhattan officials say flood waters that inundated the college town over the Labor Day holiday weekend damaged 106 buildings and 381 homes and apartment units.

Local entities haven’t yet determined the total cost of the damage, but they expect to have those numbers next week.

Officials say development along Wildcat Creek contributed to the severity of the flooding. Nearly 9 inches of rain (23 centimeters) caused the creek to burst its banks, forcing more than 300 people to evacuate their homes.

The city’s community development assistant director, Chad Bunger, says Manhattan sits at the confluence of two rivers — the Kansas River and the Big Blue River. He says homes and businesses are situated near the drain of the bathtub for Wildcat Creek watershed.

SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a convicted Kansas felon on new charges.

Just after 1:30p.m. Monday, officers conducted a traffic stop of purple Lexus ES 300 for a tag violation, in the area of 11th and Topeka Boulevard in Topeka, according to LT Jerry Monasmith.

The driver, 59-year-old Mark Neal, male was found to be in possession of a firearm. Mr. Neal has a dozen previous felony convictions for aggravated robbery, burglary, theft drugs and more. He is prohibited from possessing firearms.  He has been out of prison for two years.

On Monday, police arrested him for criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of stimulants with intent to distribute, and possession of marijuana.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to contact the Topeka Police.

ATCHISON, Kan. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and Representative Lynn Jenkins will be in Atchison on Tuesday, September, 11, 2018, to host a post office dedication ceremony in honor of Atchison native and aviation legend, Amelia Earhart. Bram Kleppner, Earhart’s great nephew, as well as representatives from the Atchison Chamber of Commerce and Atchison Mayor Allen Reavis will be in attendance.

The Amelia Earhart U.S. Post Office Act, renames Earhart’s hometown post office in Atchison, Kansas, in her honor. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) in the Senate and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) in the House in November 2017.

“Amelia Earhart was one of the great pioneers of our nation, whose story began at home in Atchison,” said Senator Roberts. “She is an inspiration to all aviators and a role model to women around the world. Renaming this post office is one more way to honor her incredible legacy.”

“Although she was tragically lost at sea while attempting a flight around the world, Amelia Earhart’s legacy still soars today,” said Congresswoman Jenkins. “Growing up in Kansas, Amelia Earhart’s courageous actions inspired me, and many others, to dream big and accomplish lofty goals. It is only right that we rename her hometown post office in her honor, to continue her legacy and inspire future generations.”

Before Amelia Earhart became an aviation hero, she grew up in her family’s home – called the Otis house after her grandfather – and lived there until the age of twelve. Although she lived in several different cities, she always considered Atchison her hometown and the town is proud to be one of the few tangible associations with the legend.

RENO COUNTY — A Kansas man remains jailed for allegedly sending a text message that contained a nude photo of his girlfriend.

Derek Stevens, 30, Hutchinson, is charged with breach of privacy for the illicit photo.

In court Monday, he stated he didn’t send the photo of his girlfriend on purpose and that he tried to delete it. 

The girlfriend called police Sunday  and reported she did not give him permission to send the photo.

Stevens is also jailed for a warrant from Harvey County for a charge of being in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He is being held on a $14,000 and is scheduled to be back in court for the Reno County case Sept. 17. 

Stevens has prior convictions for the sale of drugs and contributing to a child’s misconduct for a case in Lyon County and violation of the offender registration act for a case in Shawnee County.

FORT RILEY —The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley host a 9/11 commemoration ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at the Global War on Terrorism monument, which is located on the east side of Cavalry Parade Field, according to a media release from Kirk Hutchinson, Public Affairs Specialist.

The monument is a small replica of the World Trade Center Twin Towers on a Pentagon-shaped base. It bears the names of Fort Riley Soldiers who have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Col. Stephen Shrader, Fort Riley Garrison Commander, will speak at the event, which includes a wreath-laying, a three-round salute fired by an honor guard and “Taps” and other musical selections performed by the 1st Infantry Division Band. First responders from Junction City and Manhattan will join Fort Riley Directorate of Emergency Services professionals in the commemoration.

The public is welcome to attend this ceremony. Visitors who don’t have a Department of Defense ID card should go to First Infantry web site and click on the yellow “Accessing Fort Riley” tab at the bottom of the page forinstallation entry requirements.

Active-duty military, their family members 18 years of age and older, military retirees and Federal civilian employees may vouch for up to seven of their passengers under the recently-announced Trusted Traveler Pilot Program.