Latest news with #Abarca
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Legislator Manny Abarca pleads not guilty to domestic battery charges in Johnson County
OLATHE, Kan. — Jackson County Legislator Manuel 'Manny' Abarca IV appeared in a Johnson County courtroom Thursday after he was charged with domestic battery. On Wednesday, Manny was charged with domestic battery in Johnson County—stemming from a reported incident that happened on May 29, 2025. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday, June 5. Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca served protection order before reported missing He was booked into the Johnson County, Kansas, jail at 2:14 p.m. Wednesday and was released after posting a $1,500 bond. On Sunday, Abarca's wife reported him and their 2-year-old son missing – stating that she last saw her son on Wednesday evening and last saw her husband on Thursday. Shawnee police announced on Wednesday that the missing 2-year-old had been safely located and said their well-being had been verified. Alexis posted on Facebook Wednesday evening that her son is safe and back home with her. Abarca released the following statement to FOX4 Wednesday night: 'This is a matter of current litigation, so, unfortunately, there is not much I can say about this case at this time. However, I will say that I love my children more than anything, and I will always put them first. I hope that this issue is decided quickly so that the entire story can be told.' Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca charged in Missouri, Kansas He is also charged in Kansas City Municipal Court with violating a protection order. According to online court records, the protection order was issued by a Jackson County Circuit Court judge on May 30. As part of it, Manny was ordered to have no contact with his wife, and his wife was awarded custody of their child. Online court records show that Abarca is scheduled to appear in court for the Kansas City charge on July 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. FOX4 spoke with Aldo Caller, the attorney representing Abarca in Johnson County. He claims that Abarca's wife is actually the one who put the child in danger. 'There was an incident where his wife tried to take the child under circumstances he thought to be dangerous,' Caller told FOX4. 'We are going to show all of that in court. We want everyone to give these people some peace, some privacy, and let the court resolve all of these situations.' His attorney said Abarca was looking out for his son when he took the child. 'He has done what, I think, what any father who is concerned about the nature of a child would do,' Caller said. 'He has looked out for the safety and welfare of the child, and we are prepared to show that in court.' He said the claims of domestic battery are false. 'There are things, I think, that will be shocking to a lot of people – things that are not at all uncommon in many relationships, but we're going to leave that to the courts to decide,' Abarca's attorney told FOX4. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Public hearing held over potential Spire rate increase
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Public Service Commission hosted a public forum on Wednesday evening, discussing the rate increase . The 11-month process includes five public forums all over the state, after Spire asked the commission to raise their rates by 15%, or around $14 per household per month. In total, the company would receive nearly $290 million from customers in Missouri. Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca charged in Missouri, Kansas 'We recognize that seems like a big number,' said David Yonce, the managing director of regulatory affairs for Spire Missouri. 'When these rates do become effective, the last increase that we had was three years ago.' The energy company filed the increase on November 25, 2024. Ten days earlier, Spire enacted a rate decrease, thanks to a change in the price of natural gas. For Western Missouri the rate decrease amounted to roughly $18.70 per month. Eighty percent of the proposed increase will be used to recoup investment made improving Spire's infrastructure, like pipelines and meters. The Spire team at the meeting said they were replacing pipes made of bare steel and cast iron. 'This is important to be able to reduce the possibility of leaks in the future,' Yonce said. 'We have to be able to provide our customers with service even on those peak conditions when it's really cold, and our customers depend on us to heat their homes.' Outside the meeting, opponents of the rate increase rallied in front of the community center. They say any price increase is unfair. 'This is brazen corporate price gouging,' said Cashmere Ketterman with Sunrise Movement KC. 'In my opinion, frankly, they don't need an additional $200 million for a quote unquote, system improvements.' Ketterman said the focus should be on renewable energy and supporting the working class. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV 'Even like a $14, $15 or $20 rate increase, that could be devastating for most Missouri families,' he said. 'If I had a recommendation, the recommendation to them [Spire] would to be get out of our communities and to city council, fund clean energy! We deserve affordable utility prices. That's the very least they can do for us if they're not going to provide clean and renewable energy.' The Missouri Public Service Commission will make a decision on the rate increase in October 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca charged in Missouri, Kansas
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Legislator Manuel 'Manny' Abarca IV is facing charges on both sides of the state line. He has been charged in Jackson County Municipal Court with violating a protection order and domestic battery in Johnson County, Kansas. His wife, Alexis Garcia Abarca, reported Manny Abarca and their 2-year-old son missing over the weekend, stating that she last saw her son on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, and last saw Manny on Thursday, May 29. As of Tuesday evening, she said her son still hasn't been located. Jackson Co. Legislator Abarca served protection order before reported missing 'At this time I still don't have my son,' she said in a Facebook post Tuesday. 'My top priority at this time continues to be locating and getting Luca back.' Manny appeared virtually for a county legislature meeting Monday afternoon. FOX4 emailed him and his office for comment but has not heard back. According to online court records, the protection order was issued by a Jackson County Circuit Court judge on May 30. As part of it, Manny was ordered to have no contact with his wife, and his wife was awarded custody of their child. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Shawnee police announced on Wednesday that Manny and the missing 2-year-old have been safely located and their well-being has been verified. He was booked into the Johnson County, Kansas jail at 2:14 p.m. Wednesday and was released after posting a $1,500 bond. Online court records show Abarca is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on July 10, 2025, at 9 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jackson County 2023 property tax appeals extension ends Wednesday
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County Legislator Manuel Abarca IV announced that residents in the county who filed property tax appeals in 2023 have until Wednesday to continue the appeals process. According to Abarca's office, property owners who recently received notices about the 2023 property tax appeals extension into 2025 have until April 30 to contact the Board of Equalization and select one of the following three options: Hearing:Request to move forward with a formal hearing by contacting the Board with updatedcontact information. Appellants must email boe@ or call 816-881-3309with their appeal number. Waiver:Waive the right to a hearing but allow the Board to review the appeal and supportingdocumentation submitted. Decisions will be issued by mail. Advancement:Request a 'no change' determination without a hearing, allowing the appellant toproceed directly to the State Tax Commission if they choose to pursue further action. Missouri lawmakers urged to extend fallen first responder benefits If residents do not respond by Wednesday, Abarca's office said it will automatically result in the appeal being marked as 'Advancement,' or option three. This means that there will be no change and no hearing. Abraca acknowledged in the announcement that residents may be experiencing some confusion due to the 'chaos of the unknown,' 'shifting deadlines,' unclear processes,' and 'high stakes for their homes and livelihoods.' However, he emphasized that property owners must not miss this important deadline, claiming that 'transparency and accountability are critical, especially when it comes to property taxes that directly impact our families and neighborhoods.' Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV For more information or help, property owners can email boe@ directly or call 816-881-3309. Make sure to provide your name and BOE appeal number. Property owners can also contact the Office of Legislator Abarca for assistance by emailing mbravo@ or calling 816-462-7369. FOX4 has reached out to the County Executive's Office for comment, but has not received a response back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect arrested for ‘senseless' murder of beloved Riverside father
Officers arrested a man suspected of killing a beloved Riverside father without provocation, police announced Thursday. According to the Riverside Police Department, it was around 10:10 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, when officers responded to reports of a shooting near Hole and Mitchell Avenues in the La Sierra neighborhood. Officers arrived to find an unresponsive victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics attempted to treat the victim at the scene before taking him to a local hospital where, despite life-saving efforts, officials said he died a short time later. The victim has been identified as 41-year-old David Abarca, according to RPD. 'Abarca leaves behind a 10-year-old son and had been a dedicated employee at Rodrigo's Mexican Grill in Riverside for nearly 25 years,' the department said in a statement. According to the preliminary investigation, Abarca had stayed late at work that night and missed his usual ride – so he began walking home. Detectives said that as Abarca neared Hole and Mitchell Avenues, the suspect approached him and suddenly shot him without provocation. Officials have found no indication that the two knew each other. After the shooting, a neighbor told detectives they saw the suspect run through a yard and discard the handgun. Officers then quickly found and detained the suspect, identified as Andre Devin Thomas, 23, of Riverside. Police also recovered the discarded gun nearby. Thomas was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder, and he is being held on a $1 million bail. 'This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a hardworking father, and our hearts go out to Mr. Abarca's family and loved ones,' said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. 'I commend our officers for their swift response in capturing the suspect, and our detectives and forensic specialists for their diligent work. We remain committed to seeking justice for Mr. Abarca.' The department said no further details are available, and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Anthony Watkins at 951-353-7105 or AWatkins@ or Detective Richard Glover at 951-353-7134 or RGlover@ Police added that the Abarca family launched a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
