Work is under way on a new basketball court in the 5th Street Playground Park. This is Phase Two of the Quality Play for All project to improve the recreational facilities in the park.

Quality Play for All spokesman Kendall Schoenrock indicated that they hope the concrete could be poured in the next two weeks followed by work on the goal posts, with overall completion of the basketball court in about three weeks.  But a hard freeze could push the work back a bit.

Photographer Javon George toured the park on Monday and captured some photos of the work on the basketball court and the earlier playground improvements that have already been completed.

High

59°

Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Southeast winds up to 5 mph shifting to the south in the afternoon.

The Milford Lake outflow has been increased by the Corps of Engineers from 4,000 cubic feet per second to 5,000 cubic feet per second.

The Corps said the current lake elevation is 1160.11 which is 15.71′ above normal pool.

SALINE COUNTY —A construction worker from Manhattan who was in Salina for a job is out approximately $1,000 after cash, jewelry, and clothing were taken from his motel room in north Salina.

Domonic Oden, 27, of Manhattan, was renting a room at Motel 6, 635 West Diamond Drive. When Oden returned to his room at approximately 8 a.m. on Friday, he discovered the door open and most of his belongings gone, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

The motel had accidentally double-booked the room and given a key to the room to another customer.  It is believed that the other customer, who may be from Colorado, took the items and then left without actually staying at the motel, according to Forrester.

Missing items include clothing, a Star of David necklace, a Jesus Christ necklace, and $250 in cash.

By Martin Hawver

The Kansas Statehouse is going to shake Thursday afternoon, when a group of economic/tax/business experts deliver the Consensus Revenue Estimate (CRE) for the state for the upcoming fiscal year.

That obscure document will become the legislative basis for the budget for the remainder of this four-month-old fiscal year, and the number on which the upcoming legislative budget machinations will be based.

And…while the state is looking a little better in terms of revenues—that’s the taxes you have paid—there remains all that talk about a recession that would reduce state receipts.

While the CRE talks about the state of the Kansas economy and makes observations and predictions about the state’s health, the real key will be the prediction of the movement up or down and by how much of the State General Fund (SGF).

It is the SGF which is the fuel for almost everything Gov. Laura Kelly will propose in her upcoming—second—budget as governor, and almost everything the Legislature will do in this upcoming session, after which House and Senate members will stand for re-election.

Will there be enough revenue flowing into the SGF to make good on its spending approved last session for the remaining months of this fiscal year? Will there be enough revenue flowing into the SGF for meeting the state’s expenses, to pay the bills that it agreed to last year?

And…will there be enough money to expand programs that are beneficial to the state and its people, and which people?

Nope, the CRE isn’t likely to become the topic of discussion in many bars across the state, but it is going to be a major factor when the upcoming session convenes in January.

If revenues remain stable…well, that’s good news because it probably means that the state can meet its obligations—and remember, those obligations include a boost in spending on K-12 schools over the next four years which lawmakers approved last session and which the Kansas Supreme Court is going to enforce if necessary.

But for nearly everything else ranging from spending on highways to raises for state employees to ever-increasing spending on social service programs and just keeping the lights on, that CRE is the key to how Kansans live.

Will there be spare money for some sort of tax cuts that we all like? Enough that the revenue stream from, say, sales tax on food can be reduced through a tax reduction, and keep everything else running? Enough that the state can expand Medicaid to maybe 130,000 Kansans without health-care insurance, at an estimated cost of maybe $40 million?

Those are all the downstream calculations that are going to be made based on that CRE memo we’ll get later this week.

Putting together that CRE has been going on for several weeks. It’s this week that the Division of Budget, Legislative Research, the Department of Revenue and three economists from state universities will assemble their final best-guess of the money that is going to be available to finance state government for the rest of this fiscal year and next.

Remember, this is the election year legislative session, and while one can expect a little reach by lawmakers who want something catchy to campaign on, bullet points for their palm cards, such actions will cost the state money, or reduce income to the state.

And remember, also, that we are heading into an election year in which the governor’s name isn’t going to be on the ballot, and she’ll be looking into the future when she can stand for re-election and would like to have some nice moves to use in that 2022 election year.

Happy Thursday?

Syndicated by Hawver News Company LLC of Topeka; Martin Hawver is publisher of Hawver’s Capitol Report—to learn more about this nonpartisan statewide political news service, visit the website at www.hawvernews.com

 

MANHATTAN — The Manhattan City Commission will consider an amendment to Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance at Tuesday’s legislative meeting, according to a media release from the city.

First adopted in 2003, the existing ordinance makes it unlawful to publicly display female breasts or male or female buttocks or genitals.  The ordinance contains exceptions from prosecution, including for breastfeeding mothers.

The proposed amendment removes the female breast from the definition of public nudity, in reaction to a court case that applies in Kansas.  If the amendment is adopted, Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance will continue to prohibit the display of male or female buttocks or genitals in public. Even as amended, Manhattan’s public nudity ordinance will still be stricter than many areas of Kansas.

“The State of Kansas does not have a state law that prohibits general public nudity,” said City Attorney Katie Jackson.  “To prohibit general public nudity within a city’s limits, the city must adopt an ordinance similar to Manhattan’s.”

Even with the amended ordinance, the City of Manhattan’s public nudity law will still be stricter than many smaller cities and unincorporated areas of Kansas, because Manhattan would still prohibit public display of female or male genitals or buttocks.  However, it is still critical to understand that these communities are also subject to the same state and federal laws as Manhattan, and public nudity in these communities could be prosecuted if the facts violate state or federal law.

“Federal and state criminal laws apply throughout Kansas,” said Jackson.  The facts may violate the “lewd and lascivious” state law, or if a minor is involved, child pornography or other sex offense laws.  “If the facts surrounding a display of female toplessness violate a federal or state law, the offender can be prosecuted in federal or state court regardless of what a city ordinance says.”

Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson agreed.  “Manhattan’s proposed change to its public nudity ordinance will not impair our ability to prosecute displays of public nudity or female toplessness that result in violations of state law.”  The County Attorney’s Office also prosecutes offenses related to public nudity that occur in the unincorporated areas of Riley County.  Unlike Manhattan, these areas have no local regulations prohibiting general public nudity.

The ordinance “decriminalizes” female toplessness, but only from the City’s ordinance.  If the definition is changed, the City will not be able to prosecute a public display of female toplessness in the Manhattan Municipal Court.  But this is not the same as “legalizing” female toplessness, which implies that a public display of female toplessness does not violate any law.  Depending upon the facts, state or federal laws may be violated.

“A city ordinance amendment does not change state or federal law.  Manhattan cannot legalize conduct that the federal or state laws make illegal,” said Jackson.

If the City Commission amends the ordinance on November 5, it retains the ability to amend it again in the future if the law changes or as issues arise.  At first reading of the ordinance, the Commission noted that the ordinance can be revisited before the City’s swimming pools open.  “This is an evolving area of the law, and we may have more guidance from federal or state courts in the next several months,” said Jackson.

A private business owner or organization may require a patron to wear a shirt or other clothing upon their private property.  If a topless male or female enters the location, they can be asked to adhere to the dress code or leave, and be cited for criminal trespass if they refuse.

 

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Manhattan, have made an arrest and identified the victim.

Just after 10p.m. Friday, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim identified as Tanner Zamecnik, 24, of Manhattan, suffering from a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. A second person was injured, but was not believed to have been shot. Both victims were transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries and Zamecnik died.

Just before 5 a.m., officers took a suspect identified as Richard Goens, 29, of Manhattan into custody. He is being held on a $1million bond on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Robbery.

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RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Manhattan and have made an arrest.

Just after 10p.m. Friday, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim suffering from a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. A second person was injured, but is not believed to have been shot. Both victims were transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries and one of the victims died, according to the RCPD.

Just before 5 a.m., officers took a suspect identified as Richard Goens, 29, of Manhattan into custody. He is being held on a $1million bond on requested charges of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Robbery.

Because of the support from the community, our RCPD detectives were able to identify, and arrest the suspect within 12 hours of the crime.

———–

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Manhattan and have made an arrest.

Just after 10p.m. Friday, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim suffering from a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. A second person was injured, but is not believed to have been shot. Both victims were transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries.

Just before 5 a.m., officers took a subject into custody in the 900 block of Moro in connection to the shooting.  People in the area may have heard loud noises, as officers gained entry into a home to apprehend the male suspect, according to officer Hali Rowland.

As part of the investigation, officers are attempting to locate pieces of a handgun that may have been disassembled and left in the Westloop area.

If you are in the area and see parts of a gun, please contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112.

————

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Manhattan.

Just after 10p.m. Friday, the Riley County Police Department Emergency Dispatch center received multiple 911 calls concerning the sound of a gunshot in the 1400 block of Cambridge Place in Manhattan, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, they found one victim suffering from a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. A second person was injured, but is not believed to have been shot. Both victims were transported to Via Christi for treatment of their injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest.

If you have any information, please contact RCPD at (785) 537-2112 or Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000.00.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – No. 22/25 K-State ran over rival Kansas on both sides of the ball in a 38-10 win on Saturday afternoon.

 

Of K-State’s 471 yards of total offense, the Wildcats (6-2, 3-2) amassed 342 of them on the ground in their third straight win. K-State’s sweltering defense also limited Kansas, coming off consecutive 500-plus yard games, to a mere 241 in the 117th version of Sunflower Showdown. More than 100 of those yards came after K-State went up 38-3 early in the fourth quarter, too.

 

“Really pleased with the entire football team,” K-State head coach Chris Klieman said. “It was our best football game of the year, all sides.”

 

Skylar Thompson led the way with a career-high 127 rushing yards, as K-State cruised to its 11th-straighth win against the Jayhawks and became bowl eligible the earliest in a season since 2014. Thompson found the end zone three times on the ground, giving him seven rushing touchdowns between his last two games — the most since by a Wildcat since his position coach, Collin Klein, did so as a player in 2012.

 

“I go into every week just trying to execute my role, whatever that may be, whatever that may look like,” Thompson, who completed 9-of-16 through the air for 129 yards, said. “Whatever the coaches call, whatever they want me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. I just want to do whatever it takes to win.”

 

With James Gilbert out with an injury and Jordon Brown (2 carries for 8 yards) limited, junior running back Harry Trotter stepped into a bigger role and added in a career-high 92 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown, while freshman Joe Ervin tacked on 46 yards on 10 carries. Tyler Burns contributed 58 rushing yards late in the game, highlighted by a 14-yard touchdown.

 

“I thought we played good football, for the most part, today,” Thompson said. “We ran the ball well. Our o-line played great. We dominated in the trenches.”

 

K-State’s run success led to an 11-of-17 third down success rate, a season high third down total, which helped the Wildcats churn out consecutive 10-play touchdown drives to start the game. The Wildcats added a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive early in the third quarter to go up 24-3.

 

K-State’s ground game also kept the clock going and Kansas’ offense off the field, as the Wildcats won the time of possession by more than 16 minutes (38:03 to 21:57). It marked the biggest time-of-possession margin in K-State’s favor in a Big 12 game since a 2016 win against Texas — next Saturday’s opponent in Austin, Texas.

 

“The thing that probably doesn’t get mentioned is we didn’t turn the football over (for the third straight week),” Klieman said. “When you don’t turn the football over and you hold it for 38 minutes and you rush for (more than) 300 yards, typically good things are going to happen.”

 

K-State’s defense did its part as well.

 

On top of stifling a dangerous Kansas offense, the Wildcats forced a pair of turnovers, recorded a season-high four sacks and stopped the Jayhawks twice on fourth down in the fourth quarter. K-State turned both fourth down stops into touchdowns.

 

“It was our best performance,” Klieman said of the defense. “We tackled really well. We didn’t give (Pooka Williams) a whole lot of daylight and lanes. We disguised a lot of coverages that I thought were confusing to their offense. Then, our d-line got after the quarterback. That’s all three phases playing really well.”

 

K-State set the defensive tone early, too.

 

The Wildcats held Kansas to 74 yards of total offense, including 27 rushing yards, in the first half — the least yards allowed by a Wildcat defense in a Big 12 game since 2012 against West Virginia.

 

When K-State hit an early offensive wall, its defense stepped up time after time. Jahron McPherson snagged an interception on Kansas’ third drive. Senior Trey Dishon picked up sacks on consecutive drives after that, both on second down to help halt the Jayhawk offense.

 

Near the end of the first half, K-State linebacker Da’Quan Patton picked off Carter Stanley to help set up a 39-yard field goal from Blake Lynch to end the half up 17-3.

 

“I can’t believe we played that well,” Dishon, with four of his eight career sacks coming against Kansas, said. “After seeing the numbers, I’m very proud of the defense.”

 

 

 

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RYAN LACKEY

Director of Football Communications

K-State Athletics