Johnson County News Archives

“This commission ensures state services and resources are accessible to all Kansans”

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed three new members to the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to advocate on behalf of the deaf community. via KAKE-TV Wichita

Overland Park Regional Medical Center has expanded its emergency services to include a sexual assault nurse examiner program.

A sexual assault nurse examiner is a registered nurse who has received specialized education and completed clinical requirements for the examination of patients who report sexual assault. The nurse examiner also provides patient care and can offer courtroom testimony.

These programs were first set up in the 1970s in Memphis, Tenn.; Minneapolis; and Amarillo, Texas, according to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Development & Operation Guide of the U.S. Department of Justice. Read more

“If programs are visible and welcoming, people who need services may be more willing to seek them out”

Johnson County has nearly 10,000 more residents living below the federal poverty level than it did in 2000.

Twice as many students qualified for free lunch in the county's schools in September 2006 than did in September 2000.

Catholic Charities of northeast Kansas hopes that its new office across the street from the Johnson County Central Resource Library will help get its services to more people in need.

'One of the greatest things for us is going to be the visibility,' said Executive Director Jan Lewis. 'That's going to let people know we're here. We'll attract more people for mental health counseling, more people to the emergency assistance center.' Read more

A police officer made a traffic stop Thursday and ended up delivering the baby for the new parents who were speeding to the hospital. via RedOrbit

The trial for Edwin Hall was delayed today until June, the one-year anniversary of when 18-year-old Kelsey Smith disappeared from an Overland Park Target parking lot. via KBSL 10

“Freese told clients that their funds were being invested in a normal portfolio of securities, but in reality he simply took their money and engaged in a Ponzi scheme in which he paid profits to earlier investors from deposits of later investors”

Lenexa man pleads guilty to fraud [Kansas City] James Freese was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for fraud and other crimes. via Bizjournals

“Many people are attracted to the job opportunities, which are good, but that then also attracts people for whatever reason who also can't provide for their families”

" The rainy weather didn't stop dozens of people from turning up for a dedication led by the archbishop. via KSHB-TV Kansas City

But Planned Parenthood says the claims by the anti-abortion coalition seeking a grand jury probe already have been investigated and found to be without merit. via WIBW-TV Topeka

A 34-year-old Lawrence man is jailed in the 1997 kidnap and rape of a University of Kansas student. via KWCH

Deputies said the train's locomotive was damaged in the crash at a BNSF crossing in Edgerton, Kansas, around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. via The Wichita Eagle

Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline has charged the Overland Park Planned Parenthood clinic with more than 100 criminal counts, including performing illegal late-term abortions.

According to court records, Kline filed 107 complaints against Planned Parenthood. Twenty-three of the charges are felonies -- filing false pregnancy termination reports with a court. The rest of the charges are misdemeanors. The agency is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 16 in connection to the complaint. Read more

“They can probably take them (the frames) somewhere else and have the lenses put in them”

Police in Johnson County are searching for two women they believe are responsible for a series of thefts involving pricey designer eyewear. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

Olathe voters today approved a $138 million bond question to build new schools and upgrade existing buildings.

They also approved a measure to give the district more taxing authority for operating costs like teacher salaries.

The bond question passed by a 65 to 35 percent margin, according to unofficial final results reported this afternoon by Johnson County Election Commissioner Brian Newby. The taxing authority question, which allows the district to raise its local option budget to 31 percent of its general fund authority, passed 57 to 43 percent. Read more

In February, Lenexa animal control supervisor Jennifer Dorr learned that a large den of snakes had been found in an area that was going to be developed in the spring. via WIBW-TV Topeka

A small plane made a crash landing tonight near Gardner, but its pilot escaped without injury.

The pilot was practicing landings at New Century Airport when, before one landing, the plane's front landing gear didn't come down, a Johnson County Sheriff's dispatcher said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into the incident. Read more

Obscenity charges against an Overland Park Halloween costume store have been dropped, and two other businesses pleaded not guilty to similar charges. via Newton Kansan

Associated Press - October 11, 2007 12:04 PM ET KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Johnson County prosecutors have added charges against two men who are accused of tying up two teenage girls and photographing them in July. via KWCH

Associated Press - October 10, 2007 1:14 PM ET OLATHE, Kan. - The Johnson County District Attorney's Office has dropped a grand jury indictment that accused an Overland Park store of promoting obscenity. via KWCH

Teachers donate to city's recreation fund

The Olathe City Council on Tuesday is expected to recognize Olathe National Education Association for its $1,300 donation to the city's recreation scholarship program. The ONEA is a longtime supporter of the scholarship program

This past year, Olathe NEA's contribution gave 32 families and 36 children the opportunity to participate in summer recreation activities.

The City of Olathe has established recreation scholarships to help defray enrollment expenses in recreation for qualified Olathe citizens. For more information about the programs, call 913-971-6263. Read more

Hispanic Heritage celebration

The community agency Services United will host an event in Olathe today to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

It takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Great Mall of the Great Plains and will feature live music, children's activities, a Salsa dancing demonstration, Salsa lessons and a tortilla-making contest.

A number of community agencies will set up booths at the celebration to provide information on services available to Latinos.

The City of Olathe Fair Housing Assistance Program, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Olathe School District Bilingual Student Services, Johnson County Transportation and Services United are among the agencies expected to attend. Read more

“There's too much controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood at this point”

Main Category: Abortion News Article Date: 05 Oct 2007 - 7:00 PDT newsletters Life is for Everyone, a coalition of the antiabortion groups led by Operation Rescue , is seeking signatures for a petition to ... via Medical News Today

“There's too much controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood at this point”

A coalition of abortion opponents wants a grand jury formed to investigate whether Planned Parenthood's Overland Park clinic is complying with state abortion laws. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

Grand jury hands down 4th obscenity indictment, disbands The Associated Press OLATHE, Kan. via Kansas.com

“This is harassment. This is multiple prosecution”

A citizen-petition demanding a grand jury investigate Dr. George Tiller for alleged violations of the state's late-term abortion law can go forward, a judge ruled Monday. via Dodge City Daily Globe