Author: KMAN Staff
Struggling Manhattan businesses will be eligible for up to $20,000 in certain cases as funds permit through a program unanimously approved Tuesday night. City Commissioners via Zoom agreed to source half a million dollars from the existing $4 million economic development fund balance to provide a lifeline for businesses amid widespread economic hurt and store closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “All the businesses that I’ve spoken to are devastated and whatever we can do to help — it falls on us,” says Mayor Usha Reddi. “This won’t take care of all of their needs, but hopefully they’ll have resources to…
The Meadowlark Hills retirement and assisted-living facility is implementing additional measures to protect its campus from the spread of COVID-19. Starting April 1 at 7 a.m., a checkpoint station set up at the facility’s Tuttle Creek Blvd. entrance will begin screening all incoming traffic. The Kimball Ave. entrance was closed on March 19. These measures are in place indefinitely. Meadowlark Hills has been closed off to visitors since March 13. According to a release from Meadowlark Hills, they have no suspected cases of COVID-19 as of earlier today.
Release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. TOPEKA – People who attended the Kansas East Jurisdiction’s 2020 Ministers and Workers Conference at the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ located at 2106 Quindaro Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66104 from March 16-22, may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This event has been identified as a place of exposure for multiple people in Kansas who have since become ill and tested positive for COVID-19. Symptoms for COVID-19 appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other rarer…
Authorities investigating the shooting deaths of an 8-year-old girl and her mother in their Wichita home said Tuesday they looking for the woman’s boyfriend. Police found the bodies of 24-year-old Mickayla Sorell and her daughter, Natalia Lopez, on Monday while responding to a welfare check. Investigators said they believe the shooting occurred Saturday evening. Police said their investigation has developed information that Sorrell’s 25-year-old boyfriend, Daniel Lopez, may have been involved in the shooting.
A Wichita-area official wants to temporarily close an abortion clinic to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The Wichita Eagle reports that Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O’Donnell has said he’ll ask the commission to shutter the Trust Women Wichita Clinic on Wednesday. He wants to strip abortion clinics from the list of “essential” businesses that can stay open despite a statewide stay-at-home order. Julie Burkhart, founder and CEO of the Trust Women clinic, says O’Donnell’s proposal is “unethical” and “unconscionable.” Meanwhile, nursing home operator Life Care Centers of America says 11 residents and seven workers at a home in Burlington…
Belvue Bridge The Pottawatomie County Commission discussed various options for what to do with the Belvue Bridge in the future during their meeting Monday. Public Works Director Peter Clark says the bridge is reportedly in poor condition and currently can’t handle commercial traffic. He says the commission will meet with the Wabaunsee County Commission via video conference this Monday to discuss the issue. The bridge was built in 1955 and has since undergone a number of temporary repairs and treatments. Backhoe Purchase The commission failed to approve the purchasing of a backhoe for the county landfill during their meeting Monday.…
Pottawatomie County’s second confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported on Tuesday. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed the second case this morning. The patient is a 71 year old female and a resident of Wamego. Her travel history is being researched at this time. She is currently at Ascension Via Christi hospital in Manhattan, Pottawatomie County Health Department is working to identify any close contacts of the individual. Those who were exposed will be contacted as soon as possible. No further information about the patient will be released. The first case for Pottawatomie County was reported on…
Tuesday’s guests included Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr and Mayor Usha Reddi previewing the special city meeting planned this evening and some temporary measures in place for future meetings. Big Lakes Developmental Center Executive Director Lori Feldkamp and marketing representative Emma Reitz joined us for an update on how the pandemic is affecting services there. Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Natural Resources Officer Ben Jedlicka gave an outdoor update on public areas open, turkey hunting season and fishing and safety.