OTTAWA — Because of the state’s budget problems, the Kansas Supreme Court, which serves as the overall judicial administrators, has informed lower courts to plan steep cuts in hours and operations. Fourth Judicial District court administrator John Steelman said district courts in Franklin, Anderson, Osage and Coffey counties have been cutting back and have been observing a hiring freeze. However, because of the budget gap, Fourth District courts will be closed for one week on four separate times before June unless legislators come up with more money, he said. He said that poses a public safety problem because there is no way to issue protection and stalking orders.
