After previously tabling the vote, the Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved a final design concept for the Douglass Recreation Center at its Tuesday meeting. McMillan Architects will now finalize the plans for the center, which could be open as early as November 2020 based on a tentative timeline. The commission postponed the decision in April in order to see an additional design option that included a 3-lane elevated track — a feature desired by the Douglass Center Advisory Board and the surrounding neighborhood. The track was reduced to two lanes as a cost-saving measure as the budget had previously been…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican legislators agreed that the Kansas prison system needed funds to boost employees’ pay, deal with inmate crowding and address other problems. They also agreed on a figure of almost $36 million. But the Department of Corrections, Kelly and fellow Democrats are unhappy because of strings Republican legislators attached to the new funds. One provision blocks a plan to temporarily close a cell house at a maximum-security prison for men because of staffing problems there. Interim Corrections Secretary Roger Werholtz said another provision could thwart the department’s plans to create new space for…
TOPEKA — Lawmakers dropped a plan to increase oversight of Kansas’ troubled child welfare system in the final hours of their annual session. The Wichita Eagle and The Kansas City Star report that the provision that was eliminated would have created a committee that could have summoned officials to explain problems, drafted legislation and provided frustrated parents with a place to vent. Some advocates saw the panel as their last, best hope to make progress after a year that began with high expectations but ended in disappointment. The measure fell apart after it became caught up in the legislative battle…
Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 500 block of N Manhattan Ave in Manhattan on May 9, 2019, at approximately 3:20 AM. Officers listed Dirty Dawgs Saloon as the victim when two known male suspects damaged piping in the bathroom of the business. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,200.00. Michelle Merkle, 38, of Manhattan was arrested while at the Riley County Police Department on May 8, 2019, at approximately 12:30 PM. Merkle was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. Merkle was issued no bond causing…
MANHATTAN — Frank V. Bergman Elementary School principal Lori Martin has announced she will retire at the end of the school year. Martin announced on the school’s Facebook page Tuesday, that after almost 20 years with the district, she will be leaving once the school year ends. In the post, Martin says she’s excited to see what the future holds for each of the students and the school family saying she will always be their biggest fan and supporter. Martin says she has “always enjoyed the genuine support and the opportunity to work and learn alongside some of the most…
Wednesday’s In Focus guests included USD 323 Rock Creek Superintendent Kevin Logan and Wamego Central Elementary Principal Teri Dow discussing May events in both districts. Big Lakes Developmental Center President and CEO Lori Feldkamp was our guest in the second half of the show discussing services and how the new legislative budget will impact services.
KANSAS CITY — A Kansas water park where a 10-year-old boy was decapitated isn’t hiring lifeguards, advertising or selling tickets with less than a month left before its typical Memorial Day weekend opening date. Schlitterbahn remains mum on its plans but has largely removed reference from its website about the Kansas City, Kansas, park where Caleb Schwab was killed in 2016 on the 17-story Verruckt slide. Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, spokesman Mike Taylor says officials are assuming the park won’t open this summer. They are hopeful it will come under new ownership and open next…
Thomas Adams, 50, of Manhattan was arrested while in the 1100 block of S Seth Child Rd. in Manhattan on May 7, 2019, at approximately 11:10 AM. Adams was arrested on offenses of rape and aggravated criminal sodomy. Adams was issued a total bond of $500,000.00 causing him to remain confined at the time of this report. Officers filed a report for burglary in the 600 block of Delaware Ave. in Manhattan on May 7, 2019, at approximately 4:00 PM. Officers listed Krystal Nankivel, 34, of Hope as the victim when she reported an unknown suspect took miscellaneous antiques, jewelry…
MANHATTAN — A Riley County man is being held on half a million dollar bond in Riley County jail on rape charges, according to the daily police report. 50-year-old Thomas Ray Adams was arrested in the noon hour of May 7 in the 6000 block of Tuttle Terrace, outside of city limits. He’s charged with raping a victim who is younger than the age of 14 as well as with aggravated criminal sodomy. Adams’ bond was set at $500,000. He remains jailed in Riley County with a first appearance set for 1 p.m. Friday in Riley County District Court.
WESTMORELAND — During Monday’s Pottawatomie County Commission meeting, a discussion of a speed change proposed by USD 323 Rock Creek Schools took place. The “school zone” was proposed for Flush Road adjacent to the high school. The proposal asks for the speed limit to change from 55 to 45 mph during specific school hours, and would include flashing beacons to mark the times of the speed change times and area. The commission agreed it would be easier to change the speed permanently instead of having designated times for school hours and sent their feedback to the school for their evaluation.…