WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The former Altoona city clerk has admitted that she defrauded the southeast Kansas town of nearly $48,000.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release Wednesday that 30-year-old Chrystal Scherbarth pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud. In her plea, she admitted she used her access to the city’s accounts at the First Neodesha Bank in the scheme She fraudulently increased her hourly and overtime pay and credited herself with unearned vacation and sick leave.

The crime cost Altoona more than $47,800.

Sentencing is set for April 29. She faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million.

JUNCTION CITY – Police have arrested one of the two victims involved in Sunday’s shooting at a motorcycle club in Junction City.

Jackie Lee Oliver, 42, was arrested Tuesday on charges of suspicion of Aggravated Battery.

Oliver was transported to Geary Community Hospital suffering from two gunshot wounds.

Police Chief Tim Brown said detectives working the case believe there was sufficient evidence to indicate that Oliver was one of the gunmen involved in the incident.

Geary Community Hospital also treated Derrick Dixon, 24, for a gunshot wound believed to be connected to the shooting.

Brown did not say whether any other arrests are expected in this case. The investigation continues.

SALINA – Officials have completed an investigation into the officer involved shooting death of a man in rural Saline County on January 6.

The Saline County Attorney determined the shooting that killed Brock Nichols, 35, at his home in the 2300 Block of East K4 Highway was lawful and justified. No charges will be filed.

Saline County Sheriff Glen Kochanowski said the two deputies who were placed on administrative leave were back on duty Tuesday after Attorney Ellen Mitchell reviewed evidence and a report by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Nichols was shot after he pulled a handgun on deputies who were at his home to check on the welfare of a child in a custody dispute.

By Amelia Arvesen
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — Law enforcement officers who witness a liquor law violation would be required by a bill to provide written notice on the spot in order for state liquor regulators to prosecute.

House Bill 2088, which passed in the Federal and State Affairs Committee on Tuesday, would prevent licensees from denying an alleged liquor law violation.

In a June 2014 case, Kite’s Bar & Grill v. Kansas Department of Revenue, an officer offered a verbal notice after finding a minor in possession of alcohol at the restaurant. The liquor license was suspended until the court found the citation void because it wasn’t in writing.

The bill states a write up must include details about time and place, in addition to the name of the licensee. Discussion explored whether a signature of the employee who received the notice should be required and whether it would place too much burden upon the liquor license holder.

Dean Reynoldson, director of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said a signature shouldn’t be required because only in rare cases does the citation receiver not give the citation directly to the licensee.

“If an employee refused to sign, it may put the validity of the citation in jeopardy,” Reynoldson said.

As of right now, ABC cannot issue citations based on notices from local law enforcement, Reynoldson said.

In the bill’s hearing on Feb. 3, Jason P. Watkins representing the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association, presented testimony opposing the bill saying it served little purpose beyond tax collecting.

“The KRHA is not opposed at all to ABC being allowed to issue fines and engage in administrative action against a licensee,” Watkins said in written testimony. “We are against such a soft enforcement mechanism which allows an undefined notice to a ‘licensee, a licensee’s agent, or an employee.’”
A copy of the officer’s citation would be sent to the director of ABC, who would then follow up in 30 days, keeping the establishment accountable.

In 2014, ABC issued 558 violations against liquor licensees. The annual average is between 550 and 650. Punishment includes suspending or revoking liquor licenses.

The committee passed several other alcohol-related bills that will be scheduled for a hearing before the full House this session.

• HB 2189 would increase the manufacturing cap of domestic beer from 30,000 to 60,000 barrels during one year. The bill would allow the licensee to sell beer directly to licensed beer distributors, retailers, public venues, clubs, holders of temporary permits, and caterers.
• HB 2089 would prohibit individuals discovered to have fraudulent liquor licenses from obtaining licenses in the future.
• HB 2125 would organize current ABC practices related to issuing liquor licenses to limited liability corporations and taking legal action against licensees for liquor law violations.

Amelia Arvesen is a University of Kansas senior from San Ramon, Calif. majoring in Journalism.

DAVID ESPO, Associated Press
NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is asking Congress to formally authorize war against Islamic State militants and says the group could threaten the U.S. homeland if left unchecked.

Full text of President Barack Obama’s letter to lawmakers accompanying draft war powers resolution:

To the Congress of the United States:

The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East, and to U.S. national security. It threatens American personnel and facilities located in the region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller. If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland.

I have directed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to degrade and defeat ISIL. As part of this strategy, U.S. military forces are conducting a systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Although existing statutes provide me with the authority I need to take these actions, I have repeatedly expressed my commitment to working with the Congress to pass a bipartisan authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL. Consistent with this commitment, I am submitting a draft AUMF that would authorize the continued use of military force to degrade and defeat ISIL.

My Administration’s draft AUMF would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those our Nation conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Local forces, rather than U.S. military forces, should be deployed to conduct such operations. The authorization I propose would provide the flexibility to conduct ground combat operations in other, more limited circumstances, such as rescue operations involving U.S. or coalition personnel or the use of special operations forces to take military action against ISIL leadership. It would also authorize the use of U.S. forces in situations where ground combat operations are not expected or intended, such as intelligence collection and sharing, missions to enable kinetic strikes, or the provision of operational planning and other forms of advice and assistance to partner forces.

Although my proposed AUMF does not address the 2001 AUMF, I remain committed to working with the Congress and the American people to refine, and ultimately repeal, the 2001 AUMF. Enacting an AUMF that is specific to the threat posed by ISIL could serve as a model for how we can work together to tailor the authorities granted by the 2001 AUMF.

I can think of no better way for the Congress to join me in supporting our Nation’s security than by enacting this legislation, which would show the world we are united in our resolve to counter the threat posed by ISIL.