Independent Candidate Joins Kansas Senate Race
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Greg Orman is now officially on the November ballot as an independent candidate in the U.S. Senate race. The Kansas Secretary of State's office said yesterday (FRI) it has certified enough signatures on Orman's campaign petition to qualify him for the general election. Orman is trying to unseat Republican incumbent Pat Roberts, who is seeking a fourth, six-year term. The Democratic nominee is Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor. Orman is an Olathe businessman and the co-founder of a business capital and management services firm. He says in a news release that his candidacy offers voters a choice between partisan politics of the past and an independent approach that focuses on practical problem-solving. Orman is on an eight-day, 18-stop bus tour around the state.
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Kansas Man Sentenced for Shooting at Motel
WESTMORELAND, Kan. (AP) — A man who was wounded by police after firing shots at a Kansas motel has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Manhattan Mercury reports 34-year-old Dustin Monroe of Wamego told the judge at Thursday's proceeding that he was ashamed of himself. Monroe pleaded no contest in May to charges including aggravated assault on an officer. Police were called to the Quality Inn in Manhattan last December 10th and found Monroe outside, firing a shotgun into the air and at the building. Officers shot Monroe several times after he fired at them. No one else was injured. A defense witness said Thursday that Monroe had been suffering from a drug-related delusion that he was being pursued by the "Mexican mafia" and was firing shots to attract police attention.
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Lawrence Man Sentenced for Child Rape
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A 19-year-old Lawrence man will go to prison for raping a 13-year-old girl with whom he said he had consensual sex. Mackenzie Lottinville was accused of having sex with the girl last October after sneaking her into the trailer where he lived with his parents. The Lawrence Journal-World reports he pleaded guilty in June to one count of raping a child younger than 14. A Douglas County judge sentenced Lottinville to nearly 13 years in prison yesterday (FRI). Lottinville told the judge that he had simply been hoping to make a new friend and "have some fun." He also said the sex was consensual but that he understood he was guilty. Lottinville worked as a night custodian in Lawrence schools from late January until his arrest in February.
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Royals Edge Twins 6-5
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Josh Willingham returned to Target Field and hit a bases-clearing double in Kansas City's five-run fourth inning, and the surging Royals hung on to beat the Minnesota Twins 6-5 last (FRI) night. Danny Dufy (8-10) allowed three runs in 5 1-3 innings to win his third straight start. Kansas City has won 11 of 12 and sits atop the AL Central. Oswaldo Arcia hit an RBI double in the ninth and pinch-hitter Chris Parmelee drove him in with a groundout to cut the Royals' lead to 6-5. But Greg Holland struck out Danny Santana for his 37th save in 39 chances. After Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the third, the first six Royals hitters reached base to start the fourth off Ricky Nolasco (5-8).