TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Labor says the state’s unemployment rate rose to 3.9 percent in August, an increase of two-tenths of a percent from July. The unemployment rate in August 2016 was 4.3 percent. The department said Friday the increased unemployment was related mostly to manufacturing layoffs and revised government job estimates. Economist Emilie Doerksen said nonfarm employment grew by 800 jobs last month and the service-providing sector added nearly 2,000 jobs. But that was offset by temporary layoffs in manufacturing and decreased government job estimates. Officials say Kansas has lost 9,000 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs, including 6,300…
Author: KMAN Staff
TECUMSEH — A police chase in northeast Kansas has come to an end after a stolen box truck full of mattresses crashed into a guardrail on the highway. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Lawrence police chased the truck Wednesday after a delivery driver reported it was stolen. The pursuit went west on U.S. Route 40. The Kansas Highway Patrol, the Topeka Police Department and the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the chase. Authorities say stop-sticks were used and at least one tire on the vehicle was shredded. The truck crashed into a guard rail just east of Topeka about…
Via Christi had its ribbon cutting ceremony for its new clinic on 6th Street in Manhattan Thursday. The clinic is housed in the former Ray’s Apple Market grocery store in the area. According to the hospital, Via Christi spent $3 million to renovate the building and turn it into an outpatient clinic that co-locates services such as primary care, weight management and diabetes education, and behavioral health. The hospital says this new model provides a more holistic approach and helps providers collaborate on their patients’ care and needs.
A man suspected of involvement with a September 5th altercation at the Rocky Ford Fishing Area was arrested Tuesday by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office. Joseph Charles Tonge Jr. was arrested for aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and felony theft. His total bond was set for $50,000 through Pottawatomie County District Court. On September 5, 27-year-old Josh Berden of Georgia was found injured at the Rocky Ford Fishing Area. Bearden reported to law enforcement that he suffered his injuries during an altercation with two unknown suspects. He alleged being taken against his will from rural Geary County and then left at…
Today’s guests on In Focus were Fall Apple Day Festival Coordinator Ron Stewart and Pie Queen Pam Quichocho for Fort Riley Apple Day. We also had Director of Konza Prarie Biological Station John Briggs.
A 1st Infantry Division soldier died during a training exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, Tuesday. According to a press release from Fort Riley, Staff Sgt. Sean Devoy, a medic with Company C, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., died after falling during hoist training near Robert Gray Army Airfield. The cause of the accident is under investigation. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Staff Sgt. Sean Devoy’s family and friends during this difficult time,” said Lt. Col. Khirsten T. Schwenn, 2nd GSAB, 1st Avn. Regt., commander. “The unexpected death of a…
WICHITA — A man accused of planning to bomb a Kansas apartment complex that houses Somali refugees says he was unaware his co-defendants intended to carry out the attack. Gavin Wright, formerly of Manhattan, made the argument in a court motion filed Wednesday that offers the first details at his defense strategy. His attorney filed the 93-page document during a hearing where she asked that Wright be released pending trial. The judge hasn’t ruled on the request. Wright and co-defendants Patrick Stein and Curtis Allen are charged with conspiring to detonate truck bombs at an apartment complex in Garden City.…
Updated: Thursday, 9 a.m. A press release from the Manhattan Alliance for Peace & Justice says there will be an Anti-White Nationalist Rally at Bosco Plaza on the K-State Campus at 8:30 p.m. Thursday night. The rally is in reaction to various posters found on campus Wednesday morning promoting white nationalism. Participants are asked to wear purple and bring candles. They are also asked to spread the message on social media with the hashtags #StandInSolidarity and #PurpleIsFamily. KMAN’s Cathy Dawes spoke with K-State Black Student Union President Darrell Reese. Her interview with him can be listened to below: K-State Student Body…
A three-judge panel of the Kansas Court of Appeals will hear six cases September 19 at Kansas State University in Manhattan as part of the court’s observance of Constitution Day. The court will hear cases in two sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in Forum Hall of the KSU Student Union. Judges Melissa Taylor Standridge, Stephen D. Hill, and Kim R. Schroeder comprise the panel. Standridge is the presiding judge for the hearings. “Most months, panels of Court of Appeals judges will hear cases in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City,” Standridge said. “Intermittently, Court of Appeals…
Updated: Wednesday, 12:05 p.m. An elderly Clay Center woman is in serious condition, according to a spokesperson at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, after her car struck a semi truck across Academy Sports in Manhattan Tuesday afternoon. Karen Dyson, 78, was taken to the hospital after crossing westbound lanes in her car and striking a Peterbuilt semi truck on the inside lane, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. A spokesperson at Via Christi in Manhattan said she was transported from there to Topeka for further treatment. The truck was driven by 28-year-old Todd Dunstan of Beloit. He was uninjured. Both…