Augusta Police Officer Charged with Indecent Liberties
EL DORADO, Kan. (AP) — An Augusta police officer has been charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a 14-year-old middle-school girl. The Wichita Eagle reports that Augusta officer Jerry Dale Ballinger made his first court appearance this past week. Assistant Butler County attorney Cheryl Pierce says Ballinger was released from custody after posting a $50,000 bond. Ballinger doesn't have a listed phone number.
==========
Administration Confident Despite Credit Downgrade
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Administration officials remain confident that Kansas will retain a strong credit rating despite a recent downgrade on previously issued bonds and concerns about the impact of cuts to state income tax rates. Moody's announced June 25th that it was downgrading nearly $200 million in outstanding debt in a Kansas Department of Commerce's program known as Investments in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training, IMPACT.
==========
Leavenworth Police Investigate Fatal Shooting
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Leavenworth police are investigating the death of a 31-year-old man. The Kansas City Star reports that the victim was identified as Dick Mathis. Witnesses said Mathis was inside a moving vehicle when he was shot. Two people took him to a hospital around 3 a.m. yesterday, where he was pronounced dead.
==========
Wichita, Mission Driver's License Stations Offer Longer Hours
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two Kansas driver's license offices are now offering Monday hours for the next several weeks to handle the traditional deluge of young drivers seeking learner's permits and licenses. The Wichita office — the state's busiest — and one in Mission started offering the expanded schedule last week. The expanded schedule for both offices will continue through August 26th.