Author: Brandon Peoples

The number of total positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus strain jumped to 319 on Sunday, nearly five times as many cases as there were just a week prior (64 — according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on March 22). With those numbers expected to climb higher in the next few weeks, many medical facilities have had to make difficult decisions about postponing elective surgeries. Manhattan’s Ascension Via Christi and Wamego Health Center stopped earlier this month, postponing most procedures until early May as it attempts to save blood, supplies, medication and personal protective equipment. Manhattan Surgical…

Another annual event has fallen victim to cancellation due to concerns with coronavirus. On Friday it was announced the 83rd annual American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy has cancelled its 2020 session. It had been scheduled for May 31 through June 5 at K-State. The decision to cancel this year’s session was made to ensure the safety of the delegates, staff and American Legion volunteers. Those who would have attended will receive information in the next few weeks regarding the impact and refund information for those who completed the registration process. More information about this year’s cancellation can…

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is requesting a $500,000 loan from the city’s economic development fund to provide a small business assistance program as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber plans to make a formal request Tuesday evening to the Manhattan City Commission. The program, if approved, would be established for an immediate need (under 14 days) that could present long-term challenges to the overall sustainability of the business. The proposal would also provide technical assistance in finding a longer-term solution. “We are obviously hoping to work with any business, whether they’re a Chamber member or…

A week after finding out he was the Manhattan’s area’s first positive COVID-19 case, K-State journalism professor Drew Smith is making some progress. He joined “The Game” on News Radio KMAN Thursday to give an update on his health and ongoing battle with not only the coronavirus, but also pneumonia and hepatitis. Smith traveled to London with journalism students over Spring Break and began feeling ill on his return trip home. He talks about the symptoms he began showing when he isolated at home. He also described the loneliness of being in ICU for five days at Ascension Via Christi.…

As more people have been staying indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Riley County Police Department has seen a drastic reduction in calls for service, crime, arrests and accidents. That may not be surprising since most people are heeding the caution from local, state and federal health officials to stay at home as much as possible to limit the spread of the virus. Even with the cancellation of Fake Patty’s Day and concerns for possible house parties still getting out of control, officers made zero arrests on March 21. RCPD PIO Hali Rowland confirmed to KMAN Monday that was…

More than $100,000 has been raised by the community to support grocery assistance to those experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. MHK Together, a collaboration between the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, 502 Media Group, Konza United way, and Shepherds Crossing began raising money Friday with a goal of matching the $150,000 donations supporting the initiative from the Ward & Brenda Morgan, Lincoln & Dorothy Deihl and Mary Vanier Donor Advised Funds. By Wednesday afternoon, the donations amounted to $105,000. Blade Mages with the 502 Media Group explains the purpose of MHKTogether.org “If you’re somebody who has experienced a…

The Sunset Zoo in Manhattan remains closed to the public until at least April 6. Only essential staff are working at the zoo, making sure animals are taken care of and fed. Speaking on KMAN’s In Focus Monday, Marketing and Development Officer Melissa Kirkwood said there would be no shortage of food or supplies for animals during the closure. “Thankfully we’ve talked to all of our vendors and none of that will stop and we’ve got a protocol even for how our vendors access the gate to deliver those supplies,” she said. The zoo was preparing for a potentially banner…

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office is implementing a “Helping Hands” initiative to help elderly, limited mobility and/or high risk in the community to help them retrieve essential needs during the virus outbreak. The agency says it will offer food, prescription and medical supply delivery to those individuals in their jurisdiction. Items have to be within Geary County and delivered to a Geary County address. Items also must be prepaid for the Sheriff’s Office to retrieve them. The program also offers grocery store pickup from the Junction City Walmart and Dillon’s Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community…

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment now lists 82 positive cases of the coronavirus in Kansas. The list was updated to show that while a patient is being treated in Riley County for COVID-19, he’s actually a resident of Pottawatomie County. Nationally the conversation has been the concern over the availability of testing kits, which according to Ascension Via Christi Hospital President Bob Copple is not a major concern at least for now at the local level. “We all have been able to collect some of those, so the actual volume of test kits is not a major concern…

Budget season is fast approaching for the Riley County Police Department. The department on March 16 presented to the Law Board its first budget proposal which includes a 4 percent increase (around $900,000) in new funds. Captain Josh Kyle says the proposal asks for the hiring of a part-time clerk to assist with administrative duties with training, public information, human resources, accreditation and finance. “By having a part-time clerk, we’ve placed ourselves in a position where our training staff will spend less time doing data entry and more time working on our projects that support our overall strategic goals,” Kyle…