The Curator of the Midwest Dream Car Collection is hospitalized in critical condition following a crash during an event in Topeka. 22-year-old Drew Casper of Manhattan was the passenger of a 2019 Corvette at Heartland Motorsports Park on Sunday when the crash occurred at about 1:15 p.m., according to Topeka Police. The vehicle is said to have left the track before striking a wall, rolling and catching on fire. 41-year-old Anthony Dellaria of Tulsa was the driver. He and Casper were both transported to a Topeka hospital for treatment. Topeka police say they have no further details.
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — Some residents say disagreements and personality clashes in their small southeast Kansas town could be one of the root causes of a battle over Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s nomination to lead the Kansas Department of Commerce. Some Republicans and the state’s most influential anti-abortion group are fighting David Toland ‘s nomination, citing two small grants to Thrive Allen County, an economic group he previously managed in Iola. The grants came from a fund tied to the late abortion provider Dr. George Tiller. The Kansas News Service reports Toland often clashed with Virginia Crossland-Macha when he was CEO of…
On Monday’s program, Manhattan Public Works Director Robert Ott spoke to a number of construction projects and pothole repairs happening around the city. We also talked about the importance of digging safely. We also chatted with Manhattan Parks and Recreation Community Relations Officer Melissa Kirkwood, Flint Hills Discovery Center Volunteer Coordinator Jurina Watts and Recreation Supervisor Ryan McKee. We spoke to volunteer opportunities and events coming up in April.
Officers filed a report for burglary in the 800 block of Laramie in Manhattan on March 29, 2019, at approximately 12:05 PM. Officers listed Tanner Hughes, 22 of Manhattan as the victim when it was reported an unknown suspect took miscellaneous tools. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $700.00. Police ask that anyone with information please contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. Officers filed a report for theft in the 1200…
MANHATTAN — The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its second legislative coffee Saturday at Sunset Zoo. Local lawmakers were there discussing what they are working on and answered questions form the community. The topic of foster care was brought up, something 66th District Representative Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan) feels is a high priority for the legislature. Carlin says she is looking forward to the new secretary’s focus on the state’s foster care system. Sen. Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) says a major topic that his constituents have brought to him is the state’s foster care system. Carlin explained the current state of…
MANHATTAN — The iconic voice of a native Kansan is slated to be the new voice of TV news network, CNN. Dave Lewis has agreed to terms with the network which has been struggled the last few years with credibility and declining viewership. “CNN approached me last fall about their desire to “freshen up” their presence,” Lewis said in a statement released today. “They felt my voice in today’s world of “Fake News” would be a big step in bringing viewers back.” Lewis did not reveal the financial terms he and CNN agreed to, other than to say he was…
MANHATTAN — New leadership is now steering direction with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. President and CEO Jason Smith began work in Manhattan March 25, replacing longtime President Lyle Butler, who retired in February. Smith is making his way across the community getting acquainted and stopped by the KMAN studios for a brief introduction recently. Smith is from Oklahoma, and has worked in college towns both in Norman, Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska. Smith and others from the Chamber of Commerce have been going through a listening tour around the area, in an attempt to identify room for improvement in…
INDEPENDENCE — A Kansas sheriff is suspended without pay while a case against him is investigated. KOAM-TV reports a court issued the suspension to Montgomery County Sheriff Robert Dierks on Friday. Undersheriff Richard George will be acting sheriff. Court documents say Dierks was charged with two misdemeanors after he tried unsuccessfully to interfere in the drunken driving arrest of his girlfriend. He is charged with interference with law enforcement and witness intimidation. Dierks’ then-girlfriend, Valerie Smith, was pulled over in January 2018 on suspicion of drunk driving. Prosecutors allege Dierks tried to talk deputies out of taking Smith to jail,…
WICHITA — Kansas farmers are planning to plant this spring more corn and soybeans on their land, and fewer acres of sorghum. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Friday that growers intend to seed 5.7 million acres of corn, up 5 percent from a year ago. Soybean acreage is expected to be 4.95 million acres, up 4 percent from last year. Farmers indicated that they will put in just 2.75 million acres of sorghum, down 2 percent from a year ago. Winter wheat acres, seeded in the fall, are expected to total 7 million in Kansas. That is down 9…
TOPEKA — The Kansas House has rejected a move to repeal part of a state law allowing concealed carry of firearms on college campuses. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Lawrence Democratic Rep. Barbara Ballard on Thursday offered an amendment to an unrelated gun bill that would have added college campuses to a list of places exempt from the state’s concealed carry law. The law requires that most government-owned buildings allow people to carry concealed firearms unless there is adequate security to prevent anyone from bringing in a weapon. Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas, and Ballard told lawmakers…