Chad Frey

Chad Frey

Kansas newspaper that was raided by Marion police sues officials for attack on free press

TOPEKA — The Marion County Record has filed a federal First Amendment lawsuit against local authorities who planned and carried out the raid last year of the newspaper office and publishers’ home, accusing the “co-conspirators” of seeking revenge for unfavorable news coverage through falsified and invalid search warrants.According to a 127-page complaint filed Monday, former Mayor David Mayfield ordered the takedown of the newspaper and a political rival after identifying journalists as “the real villains in America.”The lawsuit claims defendants violated the First Amendment freedom of the press, the Fourth Amendment prohibition on warrantless searches, and federal and state laws that protect journalists — and their sources — from police raids.

County closes bridge, plans for replacement

The county road and bridge department closed down a bridge near Whitewater on April 1, one that had been targeted for renovation later this year and near a bridge that was rebuilt a year ago.The closure comes early, in many respects, and will last longer than expected.“The bridge will be replaced, it is just it will have to be closed until we get to the point where the state allows us to move forward with that project,” said county administrator Anthony Swartzendruber.The bridge, which has a wooden structure, has started to fail.

Kansas solar development sparks emotional debate over location near Cheyenne Bottoms

BARTON COUNTY — There was a collective sigh of relief from members of the Barton County Planning Commission following a lengthy morning meeting March 14.They had just approved the final draft of new zoning regulations and a revised zoning map governing the development of large-scale and commercial solar energy conversion systems, rules that were OK’d Friday by the Barton County Commission during a special meeting.