Officials: Kansas Faces $279M Budget Gap by July
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new Kansas revenue forecast says the state will face a $279 million budget shortfall by July and an even bigger gap to close in the year after that. State officials released a new financial forecast Monday that revised the state's revenue projections for budget year that began in July. The forecasters dropped the expectation of total revenues by $206 million, to just under $5.8 billion. The state officials and university economists also issued the first projections for the fiscal years beginning in July 2015 and 2016. They said revenues would be $5.8 billion in the next fiscal year, then just shy of $5.9 billion. Officials said after closing a $279 million gap in the current budget, the state still would have another $436 million shortfall by July 2016.
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Education Leaders Fear Cuts in School Funding
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas education leaders fear a new revenue forecast requiring the state to make $278 million in cuts for the current fiscal year will result in a school funding reduction. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the state's fiscal situation is expected to be discussed at a Kansas Board of Education meeting on Wednesday. Board member Janet Waugh says education spending in the state already is down to the bare bones. State Department of Education officials say they don't think Brownback or the Legislature plans to cut K-12 spending because of statements they have made that indicated education would not be targeted. Brownback's budget director announced more than $100 million in proposed savings during the fall gubernatorial campaign, and said an additional list of $50 million in cuts would be revealed soon.
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UPDATE: ACLU Argues Gay Kansas Couples Harmed by Marriage Delay
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Civil liberties attorneys are telling the U.S. Supreme Court that delaying gay marriage in Kansas will harm same-sex couples and their families. The American Civil Liberties Union responded to a request from Kansas to the court to maintain the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Justice Sonia Sotomayor directed the ACLU to respond by Tuesday afternoon. The state wants to enforce its ban while the federal courts review a lawsuit filed by the ACLU for two lesbian couples. A federal judge last week ordered the state to stop enforcing its ban as of 5 pm CST Tuesday, but Kansas appealed to the nation's highest court. Sotomayor on Monday put the judge's order on hold.
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Steep Drop in Temperatures; Cold Winds Arrive in Kansas
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A cold front that swept across Kansas caused a dramatic drop in temperatures that is expected to continue through much of the week. The National Weather Service says Wichita set a record high of 77 Monday but Tuesday's highs will be near 35, with wind chills in the low 20s. Other temperatures changes from Monday to Tuesday morning included 73 to 27 in Topeka; 62 to 18 in Concordia; 71 to 26 in Lawrence; 73 to 26 in Emporia, 71 to 23 in Manhattan; 80 to 17 in Dodge City and 78 to 15 in Garden City. There were no reports of significant accidents or problems caused by the cold. The forecast for the week is for more of the same, with highs staying in the 20s and 30s.
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Girl Killed by Train is Second Apparent Suicide at Olathe School
LENEXA, Kan. (AP) _ More details have been released about the teenager killed after being struck by a freight train in Lenexa Sunday night. Investigators said Monday that the girl was a student at Olathe Northwest High School and they are calling her death an apparent suicide. The teenager had been standing on the tracks in the path of the oncoming Burlington Northern Santa Fe train. The Kansas City Star reports it's the second apparent suicide in the last few days among students at the same school. Another 16-year-old girl reportedly took her life at her Olathe home Friday. Both girls were juniors and both were members of the girl's soccer team. School administrators said counselors and psychologists are on hand at the school to help students cope with the incidents.
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Suspect in Lawrence Death Committed in Topeka Case
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The suspect in a Lawrence homicide is being evaluated at Larned State Hospital after a judge found her incompetent to stand trial for a burglary case in Topeka. A Shawnee County District judge committed 38-year-old Angelica Kulp, of Lawrence, to Larned before she can be tried on misdemeanor theft and felony burglary charges. Authorities say she entered a man's home, took money from his change jar and then hid in the closet. Kulp is charged in Douglas County with first-degree murder in the July death of Christine Kaplan at the victim's home in Lawrence. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the homicide case against Kulp in Douglas County District Court will not proceed until her case in Shawnee County is resolved.
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KDHE Secretary Moser Plans to Resign
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says he plans to resign. Robert Moser told agency employees in an email Monday that he would resign at the end of this month. He said he wanted to pursue other opportunities. Moser, a family-practice doctor, was hired to lead the department in January 2011. He led the agency during controversies over construction of a coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas and problems with a new social services computer system. Moser was director of Rural Health and Outreach at The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita when Governor Sam Brownback chose him to lead the department that regulates and operates health and environmental issues in the state.
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Police: Hutchinson Officer Shoots Armed Man
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) - Hutchinson police say an officer has shot and wounded an armed man who confronted officers. Police say Sgt. Josh Radloff shot 29-year-old Justin Matthews in the shoulder on Monday night on Matthews' mother's lawn in Hutchinson. They say Matthews had an unspecified weapon. Police say Matthews threatened Radloff before the shooting but haven't described the threat. Matthews was taken to a Wichita hospital. His condition is unclear but police described him as stable. Radloff, a 16-year veteran of the department, has been placed on administrative leave. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is investigating.
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New Kidney Transplant Clinic to Open in Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Wesley Medical Center is planning to partner with Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri to establish a kidney transplant clinic. Wesley spokesman Nick Adams tells The Wichita Eagle that though an exact date hasn't been determined yet, the new Research Medical clinic will likely open sometime next month. He says that both hospitals think there's a need in the community for the clinic. Another Kansas City hospital, Saint Luke's Hospital, opened a kidney transplant clinic in Wichita in August. Research Medical has performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants. Saint Luke's has performed more than 1,400. A nephrologist, or a doctor that specializes in kidney care, with Kansas Nephrology Physicians said another kidney clinic in Wichita offers more options for patients needing transplants.
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Kansas Motorcyclist Dies from Injuries in Crash
ELKHART, Kan. (AP) - Hospital officials say a motorcyclist who was critically injured after crashing his bike in southwest Kansas has died. A Via Christi Hospital St. Francis spokeswoman said Monday that 36-year-old Bruno Olivas Jr. of Hugoton died over the weekend from injuries sustained in the Friday crash in Elkhart. The Kansas Highway Patrol says Olivas drove too fast around a curve in the road and lost control before striking a brick retaining wall. He wasn't wearing a helmet.
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Police: Kansas Man Attacks Employee with Hammer
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) - Dodge City police have arrested a man who they say attacked a grocery store employee with a hammer. The victim called police on Monday after the man left the Dillons store and walked to Family Dollar. Police say the man refused to stop when confronted by an officer, who unsuccessfully tried to shoot the man with a stun gun. The officer then pushed the man to the ground and arrested him. The suspect was taken to the Ford County jail and charged with aggravated battery. His identity hasn't been released. Police say the employee suffered minor injuries. It's unclear if the employee was taken to a hospital.
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Firefighter: Topeka House Fires Intentionally Set
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The Topeka Fire Department says two fires that broke out at vacant houses were intentionally set. The department says the fires were set about a block away from each other on Monday night. Firefighters say flames at the first home had multiple points of origin. Two homeless people were inside the house during the fire and one suffered minor burns trying to put it out. The man refused medical treatment. Firefighters saw smoke after extinguishing the flames and discovered the second fire, which was also extinguished. They say the fires caused a combined $10,500 in damages. Authorities are investigating.
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Man Taken into Custody After Wichita House Fire
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police have arrested a man found standing in the yard of a burning home. KWCH-TV reports that police and fire crews responded Tuesday morning to reports of a fire and a disturbance at the Wichita residence. Firefighters say the fire was contained to the garage, which is considered a total loss. There is smoke damage in the house. Wichita Police Sergeant Ed Brower says police have taken one person into custody and believe a vehicle possibly crashed into the garage of the house. Two other people inside the home at the time were able to make it out unharmed. Neighbors say they noticed the garage burning after hearing someone repeatedly honking a car horn in the driveway of the home that was on fire.
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Parts of Emporia Without Power After Fire
EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) - More than 3,700 Emporia-area residents were without power for a few hours early Tuesday but electricity has been restored. Westar Energy officials have not confirmed a cause for the power outage but it occurred shortly after a fire damaged equipment at a substation. Fire Capt. Ryan Schmidt says some flames were seen at the substation and at least one transformer caught fire. Westar cut the power so the fire could be extinguished. No damage estimate was released. The outages affected sections of Emporia, including Emporia State University, and towns in Lyon and Coffey counties. Most of the power was restored by 5 am Tuesday.
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Kansas Farmers Bringing in Bountiful Harvests
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A government estimate of crop production shows Kansas farmers are bringing in bountiful harvests of corn, sorghum and soybeans this season. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday it's estimating the state's corn crop at 581 million bushels, about 14 percent more than a year ago. The agency said in its monthly update that Kansas farmers were getting a record average yield of 157 bushels of corn per acre. Other major Kansas fall crops were also having a good season. Grain sorghum production is forecast at 188 million bushels. That is up 14 percent from last year. Soybean production is forecast at 148 million bushels, up 13 percent from last year.
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Kansas Wheat Planting Nearly Complete
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas farmers are almost done planting next year's winter wheat crop. The latest update from the National Agricultural Statistics Service says 96 percent of the state's wheat crop has been seeded. About 88 percent has emerged. Wheat condition is rated 6 percent excellent, 57 percent good, 34 percent fair and 3 percent poor. Fall harvest is also nearing an end with 92 percent of the corn in the state now harvested. The sorghum harvest is about 67 percent finished. About 84 percent of the soybean crop has also been cut.
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Tax Preparer Sentenced for Filing False Returns
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 42-year-old Missouri woman has been sentenced in Kansas City, Kansas to four years in federal prison for preparing false income tax returns that resulted in a loss to the government of more than $300,000. U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says Cynthia M. Raymond of Jackson, Missouri, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty to charges of filing false tax returns and identity theft. Raymond admitted submitting 98 false tax returns under the names of 36 clients between 2007 and 2010. Her clients weren't aware that she included false deductions on their tax returns and kept part the refunds.
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Scranton Receives Federal Funding for Waterlines
SCRANTON, Kan. (AP) — Scranton residents can expect some relief from waterline breaks after the northeastern Kansas city received federal funds to replace roughly half of its system. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Scranton saw an average of more than three water main breaks per month last year. According to a project engineer with BG Consultants, most of the city's pipes date to the 1960s. The Osage County city had 44 water main breaks last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave about a $1.2 million loan and a $843,000 grant to the city to replace about 31,000 feet of its water lines. The USDA Rural Development hands out loans and grants for water and sewer projects to communities when they can't get funding at reasonable rates.
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Woman Makes Bond in Fatal Northeast Kansas Hit-and-Run
CLAY CENTER, Kan. (AP) — A northeast Kansas woman is awaiting her first court appearance in a hit-and-run accident that killed an elderly man. Clay County Sheriff Chuck Dunn says the Clay County resident was arrested Friday after the accident on U.S. 24 near Clay Center. She made her $4,000 bond and had a first court appearance scheduled for Nov. 17. Dunn says 83-year-old Joe Knitter, of Clay Center, died Friday afternoon when he was hit by a car while checking on an injured deer that his wife had hit on the highway. Joe Knitter died at the scene. His wife was not injured. KCLY reports investigators used a broken mirror from the vehicle to track down the suspect. The woman told investigators she didn't stop because she thought she had hit a deer.
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KCK Police Identify Man Shot to Death
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) _ Kansas City, Kansas, police say a sword-wielding man was shot to death after he threatened people with a sword. Police announced Monday that 50-year-old Carlos Davenport, of Kansas City, Kansas, died in the shooting on Saturday. Two officers arrived at an apartment complex after a woman called to say a man was trying to stab her sister. The department says in a news release that the officers heard screaming as they ran up to a second floor apartment. After the women came out of the apartment, Davenport followed with a sword raised above his head. Police say the man was shot after he ignored the officer's demand to drop the weapon. The two women and officer were not injured.
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Iowa Grocer Files for Bankruptcy, Announces Its Sale
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Dahl's Foods Incorporated has filed for bankruptcy and has announced its sale to a Kansas grocery organization. The Des Moines-based company said in a news release Monday that it filed its petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 protection in Des Moines. It also said it's agreed to be acquired by Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., of Kansas City, Kansas. Financial details were not disclosed. Associated Wholesale Grocers is a member-owned wholesale grocery cooperative serving more than 3,000 retail member stores. Dahl's said in August that it would close a West Des Moines store and in May announced closing of stores in Ames and Ankeny.
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Canvass Flips Initial Result in Kansas House Race
WINFIELD, Kan. (AP) — A state lawmaker from southeast Kansas has won re-election after canvasses in his House district confirmed the victory. Democrat Ed Trimmer had trailed Republican challenger Larry Alley by six votes following the initial tallies from last Tuesday's election. But the Winfield Daily Courier reports that Trimmer picked up 59 votes and Alley just 36 in Monday's canvasses in the 79th House District. The result was a 17-vote victory for Trimmer in the district, which includes parts of Cowley and Sumner counties. Alley said afterward he was proud of his volunteers, and he offered congratulations to Trimmer. Alley could still request a recount, which would be conducted within five days.
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Tax Preparer Sentenced for Filing False Returns
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) _ A 42-year-old Missouri woman has been sentenced for more than four years in federal prison for preparing false income tax returns that resulted in a loss to the government of more than $316,000. Kansas U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom says Cynthia M. Raymond of Jackson, Missouri, was sentenced Monday to 51 months after pleading guilty to five counts of filing false tax returns and one count of aggravated identity theft. Raymond admitted submitting 98 false tax returns under the names of 36 clients for the 2007 through 2010 tax years. Her clients weren't aware that she included false deductions on their tax returns and kept part of the refunds. Grissom says Raymond filed the returns electronically and provided her clients with different returns than the ones she filed with the IRS.