Kansas Water Issues to be Addressed Tuesday
Agriculture and water officials along with Governor Sam Brownback, will meet in St. Francis this week to discuss state water issues. The meeting will address concerns about using water pumped from the Ogallala Aquifer in northeast Corlorado to help satisfy streamflow requirements on the Republican river. Republican Representative Rick Billinger of Goodland says he aims to gather input on the pumping project and find ways "to preserve the Ogallala for future users."
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Oklahoma Earthquake Felt in Kansas
More than a dozen small to moderate earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma since Friday afternoon, including one with a preliminary magnitude of 4.2 that was also felt in Kansas and Texas on Saturday morning. Residents about 270 miles north in Topeka and about 240 miles south in Dallas reported feeling the quake. The series of earthquakes ranged from a magnitude of 2.7 to 4.2 with two recorded at magnitude 3.7. There were no reports of damage or injury.
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New Testimony Heard in Lawrence Murder Retrial
The retrial is underway in Douglas County for a man accused of strangling his wife in order to collect a $300,000 life insurance payout. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that 56-year-old Martin Miller is charged with first-degree murder in the July 2004 death of his 46-year-old wife, Mary Miller. His 2005 conviction was overturned last year. Now, Martin Miller's former mistress, Carrie Parbs, has testified that Miller talked about divorcing his wife and marrying her. Parbs said Miller later backed out of the idea due to concerns about finances and business. Douglas County Coroner Erik Mitchell testified Friday that asphyxiation was the cause of death. The defense claims the death was from natural causes. Mitchell's testimony will continue Monday.
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Accused Jewish Center Killer to Stay With Attorney
A white supremist from Missouri accused of killing three people at two Kansas Jewish centers says he will keep his court-appointed attorneys "for now." The Kansas City Star reports that Frazier Miller, Junior told a Kansas judge on Friday that he didn't think he could get a fair trial unless he represents himself. The 74-year old, also known as Frazier Cross, is accused of killing 69-year-old Dr. William Lewis Corporon and his 14 year old grandson, Reat Griffin Underwood, who were at the Jewish Community Center Greater Kansas City on April 13, 2014, for a singing contest audition. He also is accused of fatally shooting 53-year old Terri LaManno, who was visiting her mother at a Jewish retirement home in nearby Overland Park.
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Overland Park Woman Charged in Merchandise Theft
A suburban Kansas City woman is charged with stealing more than $100,000 in merchandise. The Kansas City Star reports that a single theft charge was filed Friday against 45-year-old Kelli Jo Bauer. Police have carted off multiple vans full of suspected stolen goods from her home in an upscale Overland Park development. The Johnson County district attorney's office says police began investigating after they learned Bauer was selling ``high-end'' women's clothing on Facebook swap-and-shop sites. A police spokesman says it probably will take several weeks to determine the exact value of all of the items. Defense attorney Scott Gyllenborg requested a reduction of her $50,000 bond at a hearing Friday. Magistrate Judge Dan Vokins set several conditions before lowering her bond to $20,000.
