WELLINGTON
Manslaughter charges filed in KTA wreck
The driver of a truck involved in an accident that killed a Kansas Turnpike toll collector will face charges of involuntary manslaughter. Neal Johnson, left, on Thursday made his first appearance in Sumner County District Court. His attorney is Les Hulnick, right.
A truck driver from Minnesota was charged Thursday with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Kansas Turnpike toll booth operator.
Neal Johnson, 45, of St. Peter, Minn., also was charged in Sumner County District Court with failure to keep daily records, a requirement for truck drivers. He was released on $10,000 bond and a preliminary hearing was set for March 22.
Pat "Eva" Wood, 58, of Belle Plaine, was killed Oct. 16 when Johnson's semi-trailer truck loaded with dairy products plowed into her toll booth in Sumner County on Interstate 35.
Johnson told investigators his brakes failed before he hit the toll booth a claim that investigators said seemed unlikely.
VALLEY CENTER
Administrator fired after his arrest
The Valley Center City Council has voted to cancel City Administrator Michael Pisciotte's contract after his arrest on domestic violence charges.
Pisciotte, 30, has 10 days to appeal the decision to the council after he receives a letter notifying him of the council's decision.
Michael Pisciotte was charged last week with two felony counts of aggravated assault and two misdemeanor counts of domestic battery. Prosecutors allege he assaulted his wife and threatened her with a .22-caliber rifle.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 16.
Pisciotte, hired in March 2000, earned $54,000 a year as city administrator.
HUTCHINSON
City seeks additional $175,000 from KGS
The city of Hutchinson is asking Kansas Gas Service to cover another $175,000 in expenses related to the explosion of gas geysers in the city in January.
The request is on the heels of another request sent in February for reimbursement of $104,309 in overtime pay, plus $4,912 to pay for various supplies, ranging from gas sensors to lumber for barricades to replacement window glass.
The new request covers additional overtime pay, labor costs and bills from a geological firm.
WICHITA
Unloaded gun leads to students' arrest
Two Northeast Magnet School sophomores were arrested after one brought an unloaded semiautomatic handgun to school and the other brought a knife.
No threats were made and students and staff were never in danger, said safety director Galen Davis.
The incident Wednesday marks the fourth time this year that a student has brought a gun into Wichita schools.
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