Education was the hot topic on KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday. In the first half of the show, we caught up with USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade and Board President Curt Herrman for a review of bond project information, what goes into closing schools for inclement weather and other items being looked at during Wednesday’s school board meeting. The second half of the show focused featured Manhattan Area Technical College Dean of Student Neil Ross, who joined us to highlight the college’s upcoming letter of intent signing day Feb. 21, a spring open house and background on spring enrollment…
Author: KMAN Staff
Map of area in Green Valley Governance Plan proposal. Photo by Hailey McClellan/KMANMANHATTAN — A big decision looms over residents in and around the Blue Township area. As the area of about 4,000 residents continues to grow, it’s become apparent there is a need for some type of public services in that area, including water and sewer, parks and recreation and others. During the Green Valley Governance Plan town hall meeting Monday, Jim Kaup of Kaup Law Office in Topeka presented residents with some different options for governance plans and asked for feedback. The meeting was well attended with residents…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Corporation Commission has approved a rate increase that will cost Kansas Gas customers an average of $2.40 per month. The commission on Tuesday approved a settlement between its staff, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board, Kansas Gas Service and others. The new rates will take effect Wednesday. Kansas Gas Service had sought an increase that would have increased average customer bills by $5.67 per month. The utility had asked to increase base rates by $45.6 million. The settlement will result in an annual increase of $21.5 million. The commission has not yet decided whether Kansas Gas Service…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate has approved a bill that would make a $115 million payment to the state pension system for teachers and government workers. The vote Tuesday was 40-0 even though Democrats in the GOP-dominated Senate argued that lawmakers should review the entire budget first. The bill goes next to the House. The money represents part of the state’s annual contribution to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System that lawmakers skipped in 2016, plus interest. Legislators shorted the pension system that year to help close a budget shortfall. Under the bill, the payment would be made before July.…
SALINA — Authorities say a carjacking suspect has been shot and wounded in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement in central Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says in a news release that 24-year-old Colt Wright, of Derby, has undergone surgery at a Salina hospital. The release says Salina police began chasing him around 5 p.m. Tuesday after he stole a Jeep Wrangler at gunpoint. The release says he shot at law enforcement officers and hit a patrol vehicle before crashing in a rural area. The release says Wright then was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with a…
Officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property in the 500 block of Fremont in Manhattan on February 5, 2019, at approximately 3:00 PM. Officers listed Jeffrey Dendurent, 27 and Mikayla Dendurent, 23 both of Manhattan as the victim when it was reported an unknown suspect damaged their door and took miscellaneous electronic items. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,050.00. Police ask that anyone with information 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…
After 50 years of standing tall in City Park, Johnny Kaw will be getting a bit of an upgrade with start of a new renovation project. The project groundbreaking took place yesterday at the statue in City Park. The project was funded by a multitude of donations and help from individuals and organizations from around the community. The $279,000 project has received nearly one-third of funding from $85,000 cash pledges. Remaining construction costs will be donated with in-kind donations of materials and labor by area businesses and building trades companies. Mayor Mike Dodson comments. Friends of Johnny Kaw Chair Ed Klimek opened the ceremony with a…
The Riley County commissioners on Monday heard a report from the Riley County Police Department on vehicle accidents in Riley County for 2018. In the report, presented by RCPD Captain Richard Fink, the RCPD has been able to keep the number of accidents down from their 2018 goal of 13 accidents per one thousand people. Fink said it was close, but they still came in under. “Overall it was a good year and will hopefully continue to stay below that 13-1,” said Fink, “It was a risky goal for us because the numbers had been climbing year after year.” Fink said…
KANSAS CITY, Kansas — A former bank teller in Leavenworth has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $125,000. Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old Charles Lee Staples pleaded guilty Monday to embezzlement by a bank employee. He was a bank teller at Mutual Savings Association in Leavenworth. An audit revealed that Staples took the money from his teller drawer. He entered false entries in bank reports to cover his crimes. As part of his plea, Staples agreed to pay back the full amount of the theft. He will be sentenced April 22. Both parties agreed to recommend a sentence of three years…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says it is investigating reports of sexual abuse by clergy in the state’s four Catholic dioceses. In a news release issued Tuesday, the KBI encouraged all victims of clergy abuse to contact the agency. In November, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt asked the KBI to investigate clergy sexual abuse allegations. The KBI appointed a task force of six special agents who will investigate abuse reports of clergy sexual abuse from the public and review church documents. The KBI task force will work with prosecutors and law enforcement to determine if any of the…