LansingCurrent.com / John Taylor

John Taylor is group editor for World Company weekly newspapers and editor of the Shawnee Dispatch. Taylor previously had worked from 1988 to 2004 at the Lawrence Journal-World, where he had been news editor since 1994. A 1982 graduate of the University of Kansas, Taylor also has worked for the Coffeyville Journal.

Recent stories

Wilk won’t seek re-election: By John Taylor; 09:57 a.m., May 5, 2008 Updated 10:54 a.m.; In a telephone interview Monday morning, State Rep. Kenny Wilk said it was time to “let someone else” have their chance to serve.
No charges yet in death of fetus: Lawmaker says Lansing shooting ‘exactly’ the sort of case Alexa’s Law is is intended; By John Taylor; February 7, 2008; The shooting death of a pregnant woman last month in Lansing would be an ideal case on which to bring charges under the state’s new fetal homicide law, said a state legislator who pushed to get “Alexa’s Law” on the books in Kansas.
Bush budget spurs talk of new prison: By John Taylor; February 7, 2008; President Bush’s proposed budget includes funds to evaluate a site in Leavenworth for a new federal prison, Sen. Sam Brownback said Monday.
Mayor unsure of center’s tenants: Bernard updates business owners at luncheon; By John Taylor; February 7, 2008; Don’t ask Mayor Kenneth Bernard what’s going into Lansing Towne Center.
Bush budget includes funds for new Leavenworth prison study: By John Taylor; February 4, 2008; Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget, which was submitted Monday to Congress, seeks approximately $1.4 million for the Bureau of Prisons to evaluate a site for construction of a new prison in Leavenworth, said U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback , R-Kan.
Fetal homicide charges still a possibility: By John Taylor; February 2, 2008; The shooting death of a pregnant woman last week in Lansing would be an ideal case on which to bring charges under the state’s new fetal homicide law, said a state legislator who pushed to get “Alexa’s Law” on the books in Kansas.
Parking problem concerns remain: By John Taylor; January 31, 2008; Leaders of a petition drive asking the city and school district to stop Lansing High School students from parking on Hithergreen Drive say they’re still not satisfied with the situation.
Charges filed in murder: Defendant also charged with conspiracy in house-bombing; By John Taylor; January 31, 2008; Authorities reacted quickly to the shooting last week in Lansing that claimed the life of a 20-year-old pregnant woman, charging a 23-year-old Lansing man with her murder.
Charges filed in Lansing shooting: By John Taylor; January 30, 2008; Authorities reacted quickly to the shooting last week in Lansing that claimed the life of a 20-year-old pregnant woman, charging a 23-year-old Lansing man with her murder.
Trash rates may rise: Council to consider recommended increase; By John Taylor; January 17, 2008; Lansing residents could be in for the first rate increase to their monthly trash bill in 10 years.

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Recent photos

State Rep. Candy Ruff, D-Leavenworth, left, will not seek re-election to her 40th District seat. Ruff, pictured in January with State Sen. Roger Pine at a legislative breakfast in Lansing, is leaving to pursue a profession in academia.

A Leavenworth County sheriff's officer leads Sedale Fox, 23, back to the Leavenworth County Jail. Fox is charged with first-degree murder in the Jan. 22 shooting death of 20-year-old Olivia Jackson and conspiracy to commit murder in a house-bombing on Jan. 11.

Lansing State Rep. Kenny Wilk gestures while making a point at the City of Lansing's Legislative Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 5. At Wilk's left is State Rep. Candy Ruff. Along with Wilk and Ruff, State Sens. Mark Gilstrap and Roger Pine attended the annual event.

In September 2007, Lansing Police Officer Brian Duncan, right, was handing out dollar bills near Lansing High School to students wearing their seat belts while driving. Now, with enforcement of a new law beginning Jan. 1, Duncan and other police officers may be writing tickets to teens ages 14-17 — drivers and passengers — who aren’t buckled up.

Charles Collins, an instructor with the Combat Studies Institute at Fort Leavenworth, explains details of a Battle of Westport skirmish at Byram’s Ford on the Big Blue River, which is now in an industrial area in modern-day Kansas City, Mo. Collins and his colleague, Curtis King, were joined last week by 12 Kansas University ROTC students on a “staff ride” to dissect the Battle of Westport, the biggest battle west of the Mississippi during the American Civil War.

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