Author: Brandon Peoples

Wamego Health Center has received another sizable donation to help upgrade equipment or facilities. The hospital’s foundation announced Friday that the Dick and Pinky Barker Estate gave a generous final gift of about $30,000 to help with future endeavors. The Barkers had previously given the foundation an initial $300,000 gift in 2013 to begin the renovation and expansion of the health center. Both were avid supporters of the facility and Dick was a long-standing hospital board member. Their contributions have resulted in the expansion of the emergency room and updated patient rooms at the Wamego Health Center, as well as…

Pottawatomie County Commissioners heard Monday from Wamego City Manager Stacie Eichem regarding the process of the Sheriff’s Office transitioning 911 dispatch service from the Wamego Police Department. During the June 28 meeting, county commissioner Greg Riat proposed the city work a cost share agreement with the county to transition those services, with $120,000 to be paid out in 2022 and $60,000 in 2023. Eichem told commissioners Monday that isn’t feasible with the dispatch’s current budget, which is $200,000 annually. The move essentially brings all dispatchers under one umbrella in the county. The county began taking overnight calls from Wamego in…

Pottawatomie County officials appear to be pumping the brakes on developing solar regulations, at least temporarily. Members of both the county commission and planning commission agreed during a joint meeting Thursday, to pause the development of regulations. County Planner Stephan Metzger tells KMAN there are several components to the draft plan which have caused hesitation among county officials. There are also concerns from ag producers on disrupting some of the natural elements of the region. Metzger explains what’s attracting solar companies to Pottawatomie County. At least two solar companies are interested in expanding their operations into the county. They will…

Riders from American Legion Post 17 took part in a Toys for Tots drive and motorcycle rally Saturday outside the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The event was held as the Discovery Center hosted Christmas in July and invited guests in to the Hands On Harley Davidson exhibit, on display through Sept. 12. Marri Krupco from Legion Post 279 in Blue Mound says events like Christmas in July are great exposure for the organization. Manhattan Post 17 Vice Commander Keith Coleman agrees and speaks to some of the events they participate in year round. Kids who came out got their photos…

USD 383 will host a grand opening for the new Oliver Brown Elementary School on August 7th. Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid made the announcement at Wednesday’s school board meeting. The new school is a key part of the district’s 2018 bond and is under construction in Blue Township. The 2021-22 school year begins Aug. 18.

Authorities in Pottawatomie County are investigating after shots were fired early Sunday morning, west of Wamego. According to a release from Sheriff Shane Jager, a 911 call came in just after midnight referencing shots being fired into an occupied vehicle on Highway 24 near Bluebird Road. Upon investigation, deputies determined several individuals were in a silver Dodge Ram pickup truck when it was shot at by another vehicle. No injuries were reported. It’s believed the other vehicle continued westbound on Highway 24 toward Manhattan. The Sheriff’s Office says this is an active investigation and detectives are seeking the public’s help…

Nearly 3 and a half months after it caught fire, Manhattan’s Taco John’s restaurant remains closed. Manhattan Fire Department Fire Marshal Jake Powell gave a brief update on In Focus this week about the status of repairs at the store. Fire investigators in late May determined the March 28 fire was accidental, caused by ignited cooking oil on soiled towels in a storage area. Manhattan inspectors also this week issued a $13.2 million permit to Stormont Vail Healthcare for its new medical complex, on the east edge of the K-State campus. Powell says the city’s Risk Reduction team has approved…

A Junction City woman was injured late Wednesday morning when she lost control of her vehicle on US-77 in Marshall County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 21-year-old Zelayha Vincent was southbound on the highway about 10 miles north of Randolph when her SUV left the roadway, entered the eastbound ditch and came to rest on the highway’s shoulder. It happened around 11:30 a.m. She was taken to Ascension Via Christi with injuries not believed to be life threatening. The crash report says she was wearing a seat belt.

A USD 383 school board member is providing some clarity on the district’s intent to seek voluntary culturally diverse teaching and learning training. During KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday, Curt Herrman said when the board initially approved the $61,500 purchase of Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning training from BetterLesson, Inc. on April 21, the board wasn’t approving anything that was going to be part of curriculum, as has been suggested from opponents during each of the three previous school board meetings. The item was pulled from consideration at the board’s May 5 meeting after it was determined At Risk funding couldn’t…

Riley County health officials have confirmed that a 56-year-old unvaccinated male died June 30 after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the month. The health department says it’s the 44th COVID-related death in the county. The individual tested positive on June 6. As of Wednesday, 20 new positive Coronavirus cases were identified along with 18 additional recoveries since the previous weekly report. The percent of positive cases for the week of June 27 was 7.1 percent. Ascension Via Christi is caring for two COVID-positive patients, including one in the Intensive Care Unit. The health department also noted Wednesday that Riley…