Kansas Klips
Court issues ruling on battle over mural at Salina burger restaurant
SALINE COUNTY—On Wednesday, November 19th, it was ruled that the City of Salina violated the First Amendment by ordering The Cozy Inn to stop painting its UFO-themed mural, marking a major legal victory for the century-old burger restaurant and free speech advocates, according to a media release from the Kansas Justice Institute. Steve Howard, owner of the iconic burger joint, filed the lawsuit challenging the City's sign code in early 2024 after Salina officials told him to stop painting the mural. The Cozy Inn has been a Salina institution for over a century, serving hamburgers from its small storefront since 1922. The U.S. District Court issued its 35-page order on Wednesday in response to the parties’ motions for summary judgment, according to a statement from the City of Salina. The court agreed with the City and held that the challenged provision of the City's Sign Code is not constitutionally vague. On the other hand, it also agreed with the Plaintiffs and held that the City's definition of the term 'sign' violates the First Amendment, and consequently that 'Salina cannot make any determination as to whether a display is a mural or a sign without violating the First Amendment.' (Hays Post)
Twenty-one-year-old did not see or hear train in fatal accident
WILSON COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that a pedestrian identified as 21-year-old Angel M. Stephens of Altoona was walking westbound on 7th Street in Altoona on Saturday, November 22nd, just after 3:00 p.m. She accidentally stepped in front of a northbound train and was struck. Stephens was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the KHP, she did not see or hear the train. (Hays Post)
Three parachute from a secured Kansas tower on private property
SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement is investigating an incident involving three individuals who entered private property without authorization, climbed a secured tower, and parachuted from the structure, according to a statement from the Shawnee County Sheriff. 'While no injuries were reported, this type of activity is extremely dangerous and illegal.' The sheriff's office reminded the public that trespassing on private or security property is a criminal offense, and high-risk stunts like this can quickly turn deadly. Anyone with information on this incident or who sees suspicious activity is to notify law enforcement immediately. (Hays Post)
Driver jailed after I-70 chase at 130 m.p.h.
SALINE COUNTY—Just after 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20th, a sheriff's deputy near the south Saline County line, around Interstate 135 near the Kansas 104 exit, was searching for a 2013 BMW that had reportedly been speeding northbound with no lights on, according to a statement from the Saline County Sheriff's Office. The deputy found the vehicle traveling at 135 mph in Saline County and pursued. After an attempted stop, the vehicle continued northbound on the Interstate with no lights on. The vehicle continued west on Interstate 70 until eventually pulling over just east of the Sylvan Grove exit in Ellsworth County. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Hunter Sims of Denton, TX, was arrested on the following charges: Reckless Driving, Speeding, Registration Violation, Driving with no Headlights, and Felony Flee and Elude. (Hays Post)
