Real estate tax deadline nears as Franklin County adopts Orion system
Only 14 days remain for property owners to pay the first half of real estate taxes supporting city county state and local schools. Kansas counties move to a new computer assisted mass appraisal system called Orion to replace decades old software, aiming for statewide use by 2010 and improved accuracy especially in commercial valuations. Franklin County Appraiser Steve Brown compares the upgrade to moving from a basic spreadsheet to Excel, noting expected efficiency gains despite initial data conditioning work.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Franklin County
Kansas
Orion
Steve Brown
Brown
The First Amendment Text Summary Card
The First Amendment prohibits Congress from establishing a religion or impeding free exercise. It protects free speech press and the right to assemble peacefully and to petition the government for grievances.
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Readers' Forum letters express editors opinions and debate
The Ottawa Herald publishes letters from writers who take responsibility for their opinions and facts. Readers are encouraged to respond in the Readers' Forum to disagreements or factual disputes.
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The
Ottawa Herald
the Herald
Indian voter rights cases push for vigilance in South Dakota
Tom Beaver notes the 2005 Charles Mix County settlement placing federal observers at polls until 2014 and blocking changes without a judge's approval through 2024. The $110,000 cost covers Indian plaintiffs and honors a pattern of ACLU victories expanding Native American voting strength in South Dakota.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Dakota
Charles Mix
American Civil Liberties Union
Bryan Sells
ACLU
Voting Rights Project
Charles Mix County
Wagner Community
Kansas
Willipat T Sigding
Kansas Search Law Change Upheld as Constitutional
Martin Hawver notes a 2006 Kansas change from searching for evidence of "the" crime to "a" crime. The Lyon County case tested the rule as constitutional, with law enforcers able to search a vehicle for any crime-related evidence. Opinions vary on broader police power and civil liberties, amid campaign sensitivities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
America
Kansas
Kansas Court of Appeals
Lyon County
Emporia
Fair and Square
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