Great Bend, KS DNA Paternity Testing

Former Kansas Bioscience Authority CEO Tom Thornton knew he was under criminal investigation and asked the agency for personal legal representation at least two weeks before he electronically shredded documents on his laptop computer, according to a letter obtained by The Eagle.In a letter dated April 7, Thornton asked the KBA board to pay for his personal legal fees and indicated that he had retained James Eisenbrandt, a Prairie Village lawyer who specializes in white-collar criminal defense. Eisenbrandt is best known in Wichita for representing former Westar Energy CEO David Witting on federal charges of looting the utility.The KBA, a state-funded agency, agreed to pay Thornton’s legal bills and has so far spent $53,671 on his defense, including about $1,800 to fly two lawyers to meet with Thornton in Ohio, where he is now employed in the Innovations division at the Cleveland Clinic.Read more

TOPEKA — Democrats are questioning whether Secretary of State Kris Kobach can regulate elections while working on political campaigns.Leading Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Paul Davis and Sen. Anthony Hensley, took aim Friday at Kobach for his role as an “honorary” campaign chairman in a state Senate race.Kobach, a Republican, is listed as an advisory member for the campaign of Mark Gilstrap, another Republican who is vying for the seat now held by Democratic Sen. Kelly Kultala of Kansas City, Kan.Read more

The Kansas congressional delegation wrote Defense Secretary Leon Panetta a letter Friday urging him to recommend that Korean War hero Emil Kapaun be awarded the Medal of Honor.Panetta’s recommendation to President Obama would be one of the last steps in the recommendation process; Kapaun has already been recommended for the honor by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.“This is a good thing, and I hope it means it’ll be happening soon,” Helen Kapaun, Kapaun’s 82-year-old sister-in-law, said Friday.Read more

The state is speeding up $50 million worth of road projects, including an estimated $8.2 million in south-central Kansas.The projects, part of the 10-year, $8 billion T-Works transportation program, are being accelerated because of low construction rates and low inflation.Democratic leaders suggested speeding up the projects last fall.Read more

The Wichita Cabela’s store, in Regency Lakes Shopping Center at 21st and Greenwich, will open March 14, with a 10:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony before doors open at 11 a.m.The opening day will be part of a weekend-long celebration featuring outdoor celebrities, special guests, giveaways and other events, company officials said Friday. Store hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.“We are eager to give our loyal customers in Wichita and the surrounding area a remarkable retail experience,” said Tommy Millner, the company’s chief executive, in a news release. “The Sunflower State is home to many people who share our passion for the outdoors.”Read more