TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Board of Regents is requesting a $95.3 million increase in state tax funding for 32 universities and colleges in the system.
$50 million of that proposal advanced this week would go to the six public universities that some regents hope could result in a second year of tuition freezes for resident undergraduate students.
Under the proposed budget, Kansas community and technical colleges would share an additional $13.5 million. Most of that would be for promoting a statewide program that allows high school students earn college credit.
Other items in the budget include $10 million for need-based student financial aid, $10 million for deferred maintenance and $1 million for Washburn University.
The proposed budget goes to the governor’s office, which will make budget recommendations in January.
Police in Andover reported that a truck with a trailer was running into cars in a parking lot, according to Captain Joe Schroeder. The trailer was the property of the man’s employer and the driver was not authorized to have it, according to Schroeder.
Police began a pursuit after the driver ran a red light and then continued into Wichita, where he is accused of running another red light and rear-ending a car. The driver then ran another red light, hitting more cars.
The chase ended when the driver crashed into railing. Police arrested the 32-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding, hit-and-run and running several lights.
The suspect was expected to make an initial court appearance Friday afternoon. However, the Butler County Attorney’s office won’t file charges in the case until next week, according to Schroeder. Police will release the man’s name after he has been charged. There were no injuries reported.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge whose past political tweets sank his nomination for a higher court and prompted Republican legislators to call for a review of his conduct announced Friday that he will step down early next year.
Labette County District Judge Jeffry Jack said he will retire Jan. 2 from the bench in southeast Kansas and take a job as an area director for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County. He said the new job will be based in Lawrence.
Jack’s announcement did not mention his failed nomination earlier this year for the Kansas Court of Appeals, a major embarrassment for Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly during her first months in office. Asked whether it was a factor in his decision to retire, Jack said in an email to The Associated Press, “Actually, no.”
“As for the controversy over my nomination, I always recognized that as a political power play that had absolutely nothing to do with my qualifications as a judge, and I have put it behind me,” Jack wrote.
Kelly, who took office in January, nominated Jack in March to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals, which is the state’s second-highest court. But his nomination was doomed in the Republican-dominated state Senate within days when tweets he posted in 2017 surfaced. The Senate eventually voted 38-0 against his confirmation, forcing Kelly to nominate another candidate.
Kelly nominated Jeffrey Jack March 15-photo office of Kansas Governor
Jack’s tweets expressed support for gun control and abortion rights and criticized President Donald Trump and other Republicans, including legislators. Some included foul language or acronyms and one derided Trump as “Fruit Loops.” Jack said they represented personal opinions that did not affect his work as a judge.
But some Republican legislators argued that Jack’s tweets showed he could not be impartial. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Rick Wilborn asked the state Commission on Judicial Conduct in May to review Jack’s behavior to see whether he violated judicial ethics. The commission has yet to set any formal hearing in the matter.
“Today’s announcement is a win for justice and judicial integrity,” Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, said in a statement Friday. “The people of Labette County no longer have to appear before a politically biased judge.”
Jack has served as a district judge since 2005, when he was appointed to the bench by then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Kelly will appoint his replacement after a local judicial nominating commission selects finalists from among the attorneys who apply.
Jack previously represented a Parsons-area district in the Kansas House as a Republican. He has served on his local Big Brothers Big Sisters board since 2005.
“It is at the trial court where Kansans go to resolve disputes and seek justice, and I am honored to have been able to make a contribution,” Jack said in a statement announcing his plans to retire.
Kelly was the first governor to have a Court of Appeals nominee rejected. Afterward, she nominated Sarah Warner, a Kansas City-area attorney, and the Senate confirmed her.
MULVANE, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a man has died after becoming trapped in a grain truck in southern Kansas.
Google image
Crews rushed to the scene around 12:15 p.m. Friday. A Sedgwick County dispatch supervisor confirmed just before 1 p.m. that the man had died. No other details were immediately released, including the name of the man.
The grain bins is near Mulvane, which is about 15 miles south of Wichita.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary, have released images of the damage and asked the public for help to locate possible suspects.
Late Monday or early Tuesday Sept. 17, unknown persons entered the Tony’s Pizza Event Center located at 800 The Midway, Salina, and removed a Sunflower Bank ATM, according to police.
They later destroyed the ATM and removed the contents.
The suspects apparently threw a brick through a southern window of the main lobby to gain access. Area surveillance systems are being checked for the suspect(s). With the value of the destroyed ATM machine, the costs of the damage to the facility, and theft of the ATM money, the total loss overall is $31,460.00. Salina Police detectives are seeking information on the identity of the suspect(s).
The brick used to break the window.
If you have any information concerning this event, call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crimestoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.
KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City police are urging people not to leave grenades “just lying around” after the discovery of one led officers to temporarily block off surrounding streets.
It was a modified hand grenade. Bomb and Arson Unit members are continuing to investigate whether it is live at a secure, off-site location. It should go without saying, but please don’t leave grenades – even inactive ones – just lying around.
Police that that the modified grenade was found Wednesday morning. It then was removed to a secure, off-site location so bomb and arson squad members could investigate further.
Police say, “It should go without saying, but please don’t leave grenades — even inactive ones — just lying around.”
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and need help identify a suspect.
photos Wichita Police
Just before 2a.m. Sunday, a suspect ended the Heritage Restaurant in the 4500 Block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.
The suspect entered the business through a roof vent. As the suspect attempted to slide through the vent, his shoe came off and the shorts he was wearing were torn.
The suspect fell into the kitchen and roamed around the restaurant. He then ate chicken fingers out of the refrigerator and stole lottery tickets. There was also pry damage found to a storage shed where he attempted to enter.
The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male, 6-foot tall and 200 pounds. He has a short buzz cut with a full beard, a sleeve tattoo on his right arm, and was wearing a black Raiders shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities and officials with USD 457 are investigating an alleged threat to Garden City High School.
Just after 3:30p.m. Wednesday, police were made aware of content posted on a social media site suggesting a potential threat to the Garden City High School, according to Police Sgt. Lana Urteaga.
Through the course of the investigation, it was learned there was no threat to the school or students. However, two Garden City high school students created a social media post about another, uninvolved student making a threat to the school.
The uninvolved student did not make a threat to the school, according to Urteaga.
Disciplinary action has been taken by the school for the students involved in making the social media posts. Police encouraged parents to remind your child to report any information about any school safety-related incidents to administrators/staff at school and or the Garden City Police Department.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Catholic Diocese of Wichita Thursday published a list of diocesan clergy against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been substantiated.
Bishop Carl A. Kemme
According to a statement on the diocese website, this list is being published after a comprehensive and independent audit of all clergy files over the last several months by Stephen Robison, a non-Catholic lawyer with many years of experience in criminal and civil investigations, of Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson and Kitch, Attorneys at Law.
Published on the list are the names of nine priests of the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, who have substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Included with the nine named priests are an additional six priests, who, though not priests of the diocese, served in the diocese for a period of time, are identified because they were published by other dioceses.
The names, ordination dates, assignment histories and current status are now available on the diocesan website.
All clergy currently listed have either been removed from ministry or are deceased. The majority are deceased. Going forward, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita in cooperation with its Policy on Suspected Abuse of Children will continue to disclose the names of any clergy against whom an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor is substantiated.
In a significant legislative victory for Cold War Era veterans across Kansas and the Nation, President Trump signed a bill July 30 that declares the United States has been in a state of war since Dec. 7, 1941.
The American Legion sought the declaration as a way to honor approximately 1,600 U.S. servicemembers who were killed or wounded during previously undeclared periods of war.
The LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved In Opportunities for National Service Act) also opens the door for approximately 6 million veterans to access American Legion programs and benefits for which they previously had not been eligible.
“Recognizing the service of these wartime veterans is the right thing do and it is long overdue,” National Commander Brett Reistad said.
“The families of those who were killed or wounded during these wartime acts should take pride in knowing that we recognize their sacrifice and service. Moreover, we are proud to welcome any of the six million living veterans from the previously unrecognized periods into our organization and call them ‘Legionnaires.’”
Now that the legislation has been signed, the American Legion’s eligibility criteria immediately changes from seven war eras to two: April 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. 7, 1941 to a time later determined by the federal government. No other restrictions to American Legion membership are changed.
What does this mean to Cold War Era Veterans across Kansas? The American Legion Post near you is waiting with open arms. Come help us serve our communities veterans, children and first responders and show your community what a group of determined veterans can do to improve our community, state and nation.
Frederick (Rick) Miller American Legion, Department of Kansas PR Chair Olathe
BUTLER COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities and USD 402 officials are investigating e-cigarettes and working to inform students about the dangers.
VAPING 360 / FLICKR
The dangers of e-cigarettes are not confined to the health risks related to nicotine only. SRO Meckel and Augusta Schools USD 402 – Augusta High School are working hard to enforce e-cigarette laws and inform youth about the dangers.
According to August police, the school resources officer at Augusta High School arrested one student after confirming the use products in e-cigarettes that contain THC, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Police also arrested an adult for distributing the substance.
Authorities have found about 1/2 dozen e-cigarette cases since the beginning of the school year, according to police
Campus officers are also equipped with field test kits to identify and classify illegal substances. If a student has an unknown substance police will test it to determine what it is. If it’s illegal – they will get arrested.
The school district reminded students and parents, “vaping devices are never allowed on USD 402 Properties. Our administration, SRO, and public safety officers are being vigilant about stomping these products out of our schools. This is a national issue, and schools around the country are facing this onslaught. Please take time to talk to your children about this topic and partner with us in providing safe schools. If you, or your students, know of any unsafe activities taking place in our schools please make us aware. If you prefer to report anonymously, use our anonymous reporting app “Fight Song!”. “
SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen after an incident with a Kansas deputy.
On Thursday, a deputy was in the 7100 block of SW Woodcroft Way in Topeka looking into a report of three vicious dogs in the area, according to Deputy Andrew Mergen.
The deputy located the 19-year-old owner and while talking to her an object was thrown at and hit the deputy.
The female then ran into her house, but soon came back outside and was detained for a short period of time.
She is being charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. Authorities have not released her name. The deputy was not injured.
BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman on drug charges after an arrest.
Carey photo Barton Co.Carey photo Barton Co.
Just before 12:30p.m. Thursday. police conducted a narcotics search warrant at 3621 23rd Street in Great Bend, according to a media release. This search warrant was obtained from follow up investigation of the arrest of Xavier Carey on September 17.
During the search of the residence, police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the house in the vicinity of a small child.
Police arrested Treva Carey, 47, and transported to the Barton County Jail where she was booked and confined in lieu of $2,500 bond. The small child was released to another family member.
On Tuesday, police arrested Xavier Allen Carey, 25, after a traffic stop and transported him to the Barton County Jail where he was booked and confined in lieu of $100,000 bond.
