Johnson County News Archives

A $67 million road construction project is expected to begin Monday in Olathe. A new interchange will be built at I-35 and Lone Elm Road. via KSHB-TV Kansas City

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Blue Valley Ban Corp. today announced net income of $630,000, or fully diluted earnings per share of $0.26 per share, for the first quarter of 2008, compared to net income of $1.2 million ... via Earth Times

A Chinese woman charged last year in a Johnson County sex trafficking investigation pleaded guilty today in federal court. via Crime Scene KC

A former Northland emergency medical technician pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to producing, distributing and possessing child pornography.Toby L. Rice, 34, of Blue Springs, once worked for the North ... via Kansas City Star

Overland Park Police Chief John Douglass testified Monday that his department understood its obligation to turn over all evidence in the capital murder case against Edwin R. Hall.After Hall’s defense ... via Kansas City Star

The canoeist missing in the Kansas River near Eudora since last night has been identified as authorities as Shaun Shaw, 26, of De Soto.Lt. Kari Wempe of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said this ... via Kansas City Star

A 45-year-old Shawnee man died Saturday when his truck overturned shortly after he reportedly had rammed the vehicle into a De Soto launderette.About 12:45 p.m., the Johnson County sheriff’s office ... via KansasCity.com

So many needs. So little state money. And the pot got even smaller Wednesday.Kansas budget experts predicted a decline of almost $130 million in state tax revenue, a product of the nation’s difficult ... via KansasCity.com

Once again a move for more restrictive teenage driver's licenses has reached a dead end in the Legislature. via KCCommunityNews.com

“We've managed to keep moving forward by capitalizing on our natural resources throughout the state. The Riverfront is a place where many communities have seen opportunities for growth and this effort is another example of a business friendly Kansas.”

Kathleen Sebelius has signed another batch of bills sent to her by legislators, including one to create a new riverfront authority. via WIBW-TV Topeka

Twenty-two University of Kansas students have received Undergraduate Research Awards for spring 2008. via The University of Kansas

“Should Ms. Carter refuse to withdraw her EEOC charge, we must respectively insist that the State of Kansas vigorously defend against Ms. Carter's false claim”

An attorney for Paul Morrison claims Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline improperly involved himself in a sexual harassment complaint against Morrison and should be banned from participating further in ... via Newton Kansan

The sergeant allegedly threatened Ronald Brock with arrest Tuesday for driving a truck that displayed images of aborted fetuses. via The Wichita Eagle

“How would that work as a practical matter?”

The state's highest court struggled publicly Tuesday with restricting a grand jury investigating Dr. via Newton Kansan

“We are very concerned about anything that may shift drivers' attention away from slowing down, paying attention and being safe and cautious in a work zone”

A man ticketed for merging late in a construction zone has filed a lawsuit challenging the way Overland Park applies its "no passing zones," asking that the city be banned from enforcing the law on highways. via KMOV-TV Saint Louis

“We are very pleased that Jennifer will be our new CEO and look forward to her leadership as we gear up for another busy campaign season”

From Release: The United Way of the Ozarks' Board of Directors is proud to announce its new President and CEO Jennifer Kennally. via KSPR

“This is a real bargain for the jobs, the tax base and economic activity this can create for the state of Kansas”

A giant shipment and distribution hub planned for southwest Johnson County is getting financial help from the Kansas Legislature, the Lawrence, Kan., Journal World reports. via UTU News

“We have other things on the menu, but pan-fried chicken is what we are nationally known for.”

Stroud's fans have waited nearly 2A1 2 years for a south location to call their own.

The wait is nearly over.

Stroud's South is ready to open at 4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Fairway at 11 a.m. Monday. The former Breadmaker location has been painted the familiar dark brown and boasts the Stroud's signature logo, but the structure looks much sturdier than the original location that was at 85th Street and Troost Avenue.

Even founder Helen Stroud called Stroud's a 'shack' when she opened the barbecue restaurant in 1933. The location, on the outskirts of the city, sold ribs for 15 cents, sardines for a dime, and draft beer for a nickel. But one Fourth of July, the cook bought some fryers -- three for a dollar. Read more

Today's problem

The Watchdog recently addressed two issues of concern for Overland Park residents:

The need for a bridge now being built over U.S. 69 at 132nd Street, and the wisdom of widening 127th Street from Nall to Metcalf avenues -- even though 127th ends at Metcalf.

But Overland Park's Jim Davidson thinks there's a larger issue: Instead of spending money on 132nd Street, wouldn't it be better to extend 127th Street over U.S. 69?

That way, drivers could travel a seamless east-west route from Mission Road into Olathe. Read more

District Judge Brenda Cameron made the decision after testimony wrapped up Wednesday in the case of Dustin Howard. via The Wichita Eagle

“It's not a black-and-white answer as to who has the power”

No one has asked, but Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six says it would be inappropriate for him to be involved in the investigation of his predecessor, Paul Morrison.

'I don't know if it's my role to come in and pass judgment on a special prosecutor that a district attorney in this state picks,' said Six, who visited a domestic violence shelter in Overland Park and the Johnson County Central Resource Library to kick off Crime Victims' Rights Month.

The Morrison investigation has become another flashpoint in the messy politics in Johnson County pitting District Attorney Phill Kline against members of the Johnson County Commission. Read more

“The growth would stop. This will kill annexation in Overland Park.”

TOPEKA | The Kansas House has defeated an effort to overturn Overland Park's recent annexation of 8.5 square miles in southeast Johnson County.

House Majority Leader Ray Merrick's amendment to House Bill 2978 would have required an election if 20 percent of the voters in the area proposed for annexation were to sign a petition. Then, if two-thirds of the voters in that area rejected the annexation, it would have taken a unanimous vote of the County Commission to approve the annexation.

The amendment, which would have affected localities statewide, lost on a 50-69 vote. Read more

“If this had been fundamentally a law enforcement initiative to simply and factually look at the law and the compliance with the law, it would have been handled differently”

Does Phill Kline have the goods on Planned Parenthood or not?

Kansans deserve an answer after all the time, money and hype that's gone into the case. Yet a hearing today could put an end to Kline's four-year-long legal pursuit of Planned Parenthood.

And should that case get tossed on a technicality, Johnson County's appointed district attorney and his friends in the anti-abortion movement won't be the only ones disappointed.

In a way, so will Peter Brownlie, president of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri. Read more

“We're willing to look at their concerns”

House and Senate negotiators expect to agree on immigration legislation, but county sheriffs are worried about spending more money to keep illegal immigrants in jail. via KSHB-TV Kansas City

Advance ballot results show that voters in Shawnee are leaning toward keeping the incumbents in office.

In Shawnee's mayoral election, incumbent Jeff Meyers has 67 percent of the vote over his challenger City Councilman Dan Pflumm.

Four Shawnee City Council seats are also up for re-election today.

In Ward 1, incumbent Cheryl Scott has 84 percent of the vote in early results. Her challenger, Kathleen Chipman Shamet, dropped out of the race last month, but her name was still on the ballot. Read more