Author: Brandon Peoples

All children 1-18 needing a meal this week will be able to pick up a free to-go lunch at some select USD 383 schools beginning today. This will be offered to anyone regardless of income level. USD 383 Child Nutrition says curb side pick up of hot to-go lunches and a cold breakfast for the next day are available from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the following locations: *Bluemont Elementary pickup will be on the west side of the building *Lee Elementary School pickup will be in the front of the building *Northview Elementary School pickup will be in…

The Manhattan Public Library, like many other public places, announced Saturday a temporary closure until March 30. As a result, any items currently checked out will not be due until April 15 and no fines will be accrued. Items currently on hold will be held until April 6. Patrons are not required during the closure to return items, but can do so in the outside book drops, which remain open. The library says book donations will not be accepted until further notice and all library programs cancelled are until the library reopens on March 30. During the closure, all meeting…

*Story updated Saturday after business owners came together to announce Fake Patty’s Day was cancelled Aggieville remains open for business, but no longer are bars going to be offering promotions or wrist band for Fake Patty’s Day amid concerns for the spread of coronavirus. The annual event brings thousands into the district for a celebration, outside the traditional St. Patrick’s Day holiday. Most of the event-goers are college students, some from K-State, others from other parts of Kansas, some from out of state. Aggieville Business Association Executive Director Dennis Cook told KMAN Saturday that they didn’t have 100 percent agreement…

Manhattan city officials are urging the public to stay calm amid the growing concerns nationally due to coronavirus. Mayor Usha Reddi issued a statement late Friday outlining her goal to help residents be the most prepared and reduce the risk of exposure. That includes a virtual shut down of city-wide sponsored public events and programs until March 30, as recommended by the Riley County Health Department. “I think that’s why they put the quarantine time as that much for isolating everybody because we’re not ready. We are not ready as a community if everybody wants to get tested and you…

Aggieville Business Association Executive Director Dennis Cook updated us on St. Patrick’s Day and Fake Patty’s Day events Friday morning. Cook says despite some of the social distancing going on, Aggieville is open for business.

K-12 school leaders are wrestling with the challenges of how to best protect the safety of children and staff against the spread of COVID-19. State Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson held a conference call Thursday where he informed school leaders of three options the districts have in the event a local health department mandates a closure due to a positive test. “Number one – you can make up the days prior to June 30. Number two – you can ask the state department for an e-learning option. The third option is to request from me or the state board of…

Kansas State University is suspending in-person classes from March 16-20 and classes will resume remotely March 23 and continue until further notice, in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 after spring break. The university announced the decision Thursday morning. The change impacts all K-State campuses. Online classes will continue as scheduled. All campuses will remain open to serve essential needs for students and faculty though visitors are urged to postpone campus visits during this time. K-State President Richard Myers issued a statement Thursday morning. “Right now, the K-State community is dispersed throughout the nation and globe during spring break.…

Visitor restrictions are now in place at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and at the Wamego Health Center. The hospital announced revised visitor guidelines Wednesday to prevent the potential spread of illness in response to COVID-19. -No visitors who have flu-like symptoms and/or cough, fever, and/or shortness of breath, runny nose/nasal congestion or sore throat. -Visits by children under age 14 will be at the discretion of patients and clinicians involved in their care. -Visitors should not visit if they have returned from a country within the last 14 days that the CDC has designated as Level 3 Warning…

TOPEKA — Hospital officials at Stormont Vail Health in Topeka have been monitoring three patients who met the criteria for testing for the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Two of the patients visited the Topeka hospital. The other was an outpatient in Emporia. In accordance with guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the hospital notified them of the risk and obtained tests. Test results for one patient at the Topeka hospital have come back negative. Results are still pending from for the other two patients, with information expected soon. The hospital says each of the patients were placed…

A preliminary examination is coming next month for an 18-year-old Manhattan man charged with attempted murder. Jalen Gill stands accused of attempted second-degree murder in a January 29 shooting incident that injured one. Gill is additionally charged with three counts of aggravated child endangerment, aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied building. The victim in the case was treated and released. Gill is currently free after posting a $75,000 bond at a February status hearing. He was initially given a bond of $150,000, but Judge Malcolm lowered it after a motion from Gill’s attorney. His next…