Author: Brandon Peoples

A 51-year-old Manhattan man, who became Riley County’s first patient to be tested positive for the Coronavirus, is a K-State faculty member. Andrew Smith is a professor in the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism, who recently traveled with his family and several journalism students to London to study abroad over Spring Break. Those students and family members are also quarantined in their homes. In a Facebook video message Sunday from intensive care at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, Smith thanked friends and family for all the well wishes and support. “Thank you for the pictures and the anecdotes and everything, it’s very kind.…

Visitation to Ascension Via Christi in Manhattan and the Wamego Health Center is now restricted to labor and delivery and in end-of-life situations, where only one visitor per patient will be allowed. The hospital enacted the restrictions late Friday in an effort to protect patients and staff now that COVID-19 has reached Riley County. All other visitation is limited to virtual visitation. “We appreciate the role family plays in the healing process and the importance of the presence of loved ones during family milestones,” said hospital president Bob Copple. “However, in order to protect our patients and staff and helping…

Despite many things shutting down amid the coronavirus pandemic, there is still a need to give blood. The American Red Cross says there are severe shortages, to the point that more than 4,500 blood drives have been cancelled across the country, resulting in about 150,000 fewer donations. Two opportunties exist Monday and Tuesday at CiCo Park’s Pottorf Hall. For long time Manhattan donor Daryl Strouts, he’ll be donating for the 100th time and is giving back to encourage people to come out. Healthy blood and platelet donors are asked to make an appointment to give now. Strouts says donating blood…

The Riley County Police Department has arrested three individuals on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection to the death of a Manhattan man last fall. Police on Thursday served warrants on 20-year-old Dylan Hitsman of Abilene, 20-year-old Jaylon Hitsman of Manhattan and 45-year-old Shamar Sutton of Manhattan. Each is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and criminal discharge of a firearm. Sutton is additionally charged with aggravated robbery, while the two Hitsman brothers are charged with attempted aggravated robbery. All three remain jailed on bonds of $250,000 each. The case is tied to the Nov. 1 shooting death…

The drastic economic downturn communities are feeling is accelerating by the day as the spread of COVID-19 continues. Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Smith says nowhere is this more true than local small businesses which have struggled in the past week, many shutting their doors to provide about half the service they would otherwise. “Collectively, we have to figure out not just in Manhattan, but across the country, how do we come together and keep those businesses open. They’re so important to the social fabric of our community. We have to find a way to help…

COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. — Two positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in nearby Morris County, the first reported cases in the Flint Hills region. Morris County Public Health Department Public Information Officer William Kassebaum confirmed late Wednesday it was notified of two positive individuals who visited several locations in Council Grove. In its initial release, the health department stated the two positive patients were symptomatic when they visited the four businesses in Council Grove and one in Strong City. KMAN was contacted by one of the patients disputing this, but the Morris County PIO confirmed Thursday the initial release…

With school out in the traditional sense for the duration of the academic year, it’s only fair that employees would worry about what that means for their own bottom lines. As part of her executive order to close K-12 schools Tuesday in favor of an online learning component, Gov. Laura Kelly promised all hourly and salaried staff would continue to receive paychecks. Kansas schools have already received its allotted state tax dollars for employee personnel. While specifics aren’t clear yet how that will happen, USD 383 Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid, during an appearance on In Focus ahead of Wednesday’s school…

Pottawatomie County Commissioners will have a different meeting place for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19 concerns. Commissioners have moved their Monday weekly meetings from the Sunflower Room in Westmoreland to the Pottawatomie County Training Facility at 406 Miller Drive in Wamego. This provides an opportunity for the commission to still hold their open meeting while practicing safe social distancing. The commission will also stream these meetings via Zoom, with a link provided online through pottcounty.org. The meetings will continue in this format until further notice. The commission is also holding a Friday meeting at the facility in addition to…

Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs joined us for a daily update on local response to COVID-19 and some tips for the public to prevent the spread of illness.

Two Manhattan men are jailed on suspicion of drug possession, aggravated battery and burglary. Riley County Police say 32-year-old Samuel Harris and 49-year-old Troy Rhodd were arrested Tuesday evening in the Blue Hills Shopping Center parking lot between Dollar General and R.C. McGraw’s. Rhodd is charged with eight total counts, including two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by deception and two counts of making false information. Harris is charged with four total counts including aggravated battery and criminal damage to property. Both men are charged each with one count of opiate possession and a possession with intent to…