TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A lawyer indicted six years ago on charges that he bilked the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities out of $400,000 has won another legal battle.

The Kansas City Star reports that the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday to throw out charges against 74-year-old Rodney L. Turner.

In the ruling, the high court affirmed a 2009 lower court decision that found the case was tainted by a detective’s inappropriate testimony to the grand jury that indicted Turner. Court documents show the detective suggested Turner and former BPU chief administrative officer Marc Conklin were connected to an unsolved 1987 killing.

Conklin also was indicted in the BPU case. He committed suicide in 2009.

The decision also raised questions about the strength of the evidence used to support Turner’s indictment.

 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A task force appointed by Gov. Sam Brownback to find out why the number of earthquakes in the state has been rising says there isn’t enough data to make a determination.

The Wichita Eagle  reports there were 49 earthquakes between the start of the year and late August, mainly in the south-central part of the state where a practice known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has contributed to a steady rise in gas and oil production.

Many have pointed fingers at fracking, which uses a mixture of sand, water and chemicals under high pressure to release oil and gas from rock, as the cause for the increase in earthquakes.

But task force chairman Rex Buchanan says there’s no baseline against which the recent number of quakes can be compared.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — A bust has been added to a Buffalo Soldier monument at Fort Leavenworth honoring former secretary of state and military leader Colin Powell.

The Kansas City Star reports that about 1,000 people gathered Friday for a dedication event. Powell told the crowd that there were no statues honoring the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers when he was stationed at the fort during the 1980s.

Buffalo Soldiers were all-black units that served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. They included the 10th Cavalry, formed at Fort Leavenworth in 1866.

Powell says he hopes the monument, now more than two decades old, will “inspire future generations of young men and young women of all the colors of the American rainbow to serve as these cavalry men did.”

RIVERTON, Kan. (AP) — A group of residents in southeast Kansas is seeking a grand jury to investigate a proposal for a landfill near their town.

A petition filed by a group in Riverton sought a grand jury to investigate actions by the Galena City Council.

A judge denied the request in late August, but the opposition group says it is seeking legal help and will work to get the petition approved.

The Joplin Globe reports  opposition started after Galena City Council members in early July approved steps to acquire a 160-acre tract of land and turn about 40 acres into a landfill. The land is near Riverton.

The group wants a grand jury to investigate how the land was acquired and how the contract for the proposed landfill was formed.

 

BY KACEY CLAY

Have you ever been asked to do something and before you could think about it you said yes? My husband and I were in that position recently.

A couple of months ago Missouri Farm Bureau contacted us with a “crazy idea” – creating a parody of the song “Let It Go” from the movie “Frozen.”

You could imagine the look on my face. I thought, what for? Why? These and other questions were going through my mind.

Then the explanation came. The parody video was part of a broader strategy to help raise awareness on an issue that just wasn’t being heard – the proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule pushed by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

Being on the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee, we knew that more needed to be done to sound the alarm about the proposed rule and how it would greatly expand strict control over private land that had never been regulated by the federal government.

Just like that, the video was a go. We jumped on board, and I headed to the recording studio. It only took two hours to record the parody lyrics.

A few weeks later the camera guy came out to the farm. The kids put on their swimwear, I put on a dress and out to the field we went. With a little bit of patience and drawing on my old drama club skills, four hours later we had footage that we hoped would make a strong statement.

Bringing attention to this issue was definitely something we wanted to do and we’re seeing a difference. With more than 100,000 hits on YouTube and national interviews with “Fox and Friends” and Mike Huckabee, we are helping spread the word as quickly as we can.

The proposed waters rule will impact so many if implemented. Not only will farmers be affected, but home builders and many others too. There will need to be permits issued for certain everyday farm tasks. Many of you have an idea about how long it would take to get a permit from the government. Let’s just say our kids may never see it in the mail.

If the rules are not abided by anyone could be slapped with a $37,000-a-day fine, definitely not feasible in any profession. Especially not farming.

So help us say “DITCH THE RULE!” Voice your opinion at ditchtherule.fb.org, share the YouTube link to “That’s Enough” and use #DitchTheRule on social media.

We have until Oct. 20 to let EPA and the Corps know what we think. The more voices they hear the better chance we have of ditching the rule.

Kacey Clay and her husband, Andy, farm in Missouri. They are members of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.
– See more at: http://www.mofb.org/NewsMedia/CuttotheChase.aspx#sthash.0KmthuUk.dpuf

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City’s Union Station is marking a 100-year history that has taken it from a bustling train depot to the brink of obsolescence and now to a revived role as a venue for traveling exhibits and massive celebrations.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/1rQlhwG ) an estimated 100,000 people attended the grand building’s dedication in October 1914. Officials are hoping many thousands will also turn out for four days of centennial events beginning Oct. 30.

Hundreds of trains passed through Union Station daily in its early years, but its role declined after World War II as air travel eclipsed rail. The building fell into disuse and decay until it was restored in 1999 with funding from a special tax approved by voters in four Missouri counties and Johnson County, Kansas.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Association of School Boards says at least 100 districts have been asked to provide information about the politicians who have been invited to their school events.

Association general counsel Donna Whiteman told The Associated Press that the requests came from the Kansas Legislative Research Department, which sometimes makes requests from lawmakers. They seek information about invitations extended to state legislators, state school board members or any statewide elected office holder or candidate.

Research department analyst Martha Dorsey told The Manhattan Mercury that staff is required to keep all requester’s information confidential. The Mercury first reported on the requests last month.

Whiteman described the requests as “unusual,” noting that they seek information about politicians’ activities during “the critical weeks before statewide elections.”

VALLEY FALLS, Kan.- A Kansas man died in an accident just before 1:30 a.m. on Sunday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Nissan pickup driven by John V. Aspinwall, 40, Valley Falls, was northbound on Kansas 4 one mile south of Valley Falls.

The vehicle left the roadway onto the gravel shoulder. The driver overcorrected back onto the roadway. The vehicle slid sideways, entered the east ditch and overturned approximately 4 times.

Aspinwall was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics.

The KHP reported he was not wearing a seat belt.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., on Friday announced he is accepting applications for paid congressional internships in his Washington and Kansas offices for spring 2015.

“Congressional internships offer Kansas students a great opportunity to learn about Congress and the legislative process,” Moran said. “I hope to give Kansans an opportunity similar to the one I had serving in a Congressional office years ago.”

An internship in Moran’s office – either legislative or communications – provides a unique opportunity to work closely with Senate staff on behalf of the state of Kansas. Legislative interns will gain a better understanding of the legislative process in the U.S. Congress, and develop knowledge and professional skills valuable to future career pursuits. Communications internships provide a unique opportunity to learn about how political communications and the legislative process intersect, and gain practical knowledge about the inner workings of a fast-paced press office.

The intern program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students – or recent graduates – who have strong interest in public service and government and have achieved academic excellence. Applicants for a communications internship should possess exceptional writing and communication skills, knowledge of AP style, experience in digital media, and follow current events closely. While preference is given to Kansas residents, students from all states are encouraged to apply.

The application deadline for spring 2015 internships is Nov. 1. Application forms can be obtained and completed under the “Services” section of Moran’s website at www.moran.senate.gov. Applicants should submit a completed application form, resume, academic transcript, two letters of recommendation and a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest in public service and goals of serving as an intern. Please submit required materials to: [email protected]

For questions, contact Moran’s office at [email protected] or call (202) 224-6521 and request to speak with the intern coordinator.