Panel Seeks Censure, Coaching for Kansas Judge
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A judicial disciplinary panel has recommended that a foul-mouthed Kansas judge should be publicly censured and receive professional coaching, but not kicked off the bench. The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct unanimously concluded Friday that Montgomery County Judge F. William Cullins violated central judicial canons of independence, integrity and impartiality. Its recommendations will be sent to the Kansas Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide his fate. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision.
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Kansas Lawmakers Leave Tax, Budget, Marijuana for 2nd Half
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are leaving their first big votes on the state's next annual budget, cutting income taxes and the medical use of marijuana to the second half of their annual session. The Senate hit the Legislature's annual “turnaround” deadline Thursday with a debate on 20 bills touching on a wide range of topics. The House completed its first-half work Wednesday. Most bills had to clear their chamber of origin Thursday to be considered further. But some big proposals didn't face the turnaround deadline, including tax cuts and legalizing medical marijuana and sports betting. Budget legislation also is exempt from the deadline.
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Man Pleads Guilty to Attacking Leavenworth Police Officer
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A 36-year-old man has admitted to attacking a Leavenworth police officer. Anthony Dunkle pleaded guilty Wednesday to felony battery of a law enforcement officer, making a criminal threat and interference with a law enforcement officer. Prosecutors said Dunkle approached an officer who was sitting in a police car with the window down last April and began punching him. Dunkle apparently was angry with the officer over an earlier incident that led to his arrest. The officer had a cut on his face and scrapes on his hand after the confrontation.
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Police Investigate Deadly Shooting in Central Topeka
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka police say a 19-year-old man died in a shooting in central Topeka. Police said Ja'Sean Alston of Topeka was killed early Friday. WIBW reports arriving officers found Alston suffering from life-threatening injuries inside a car. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police did not provide any further information.
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Kansas Man Dies in Collision with Freight Train
DURHAM, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say the driver of a pickup truck has died in a collision with a freight train in central Kansas. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened around 9 p.m. Thursday at a railroad crossing in the Marion County town of Durham. The patrol says 50-year-old Ronald Myhre, of Gypsum, died at the scene. The patrol says it is unclear why Myhre didn't stop before hitting the Union Pacific train.
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Elderly Couple Killed in Crash Outside of Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a husband and wife have been killed in a crash southwest of Wichita. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash happened Thursday morning when 85-year-old Ira Bonebright, of Conway Springs, failed to yield while turning left on Kansas 42 in Sedgwick County. The driver of a pickup truck was unable to stop and crashed into the passenger side of the car. Bonebright was taken to a hospital where he died. His wife, 86-year-old Betty Bonebright, died at the scene. The driver of the truck wasn't seriously hurt.
