TOPEKA – State auditors say the Kansas Department for Children and Families is struggling to adequately oversee private foster care contractors, putting children in the system at risk. Shortly after the 59-page audit was released Wednesday, two Democratic senators called for department Secretary Phyllis Gilmore to resign. Among other things, auditors said the agency has implemented only one of nine recommendations in a 2013 assessment of services. It also said the department doesn’t ensure that background checks of individuals in foster homes are as frequent and thorough as they should be. Some state lawmakers sought the audit in response to…
Author: KMAN Staff
The headlines in many newspapers might hint at the decline of the rural communities of the American Midwest, but Wednesday night’s Flush Picnic in Pottawatomie county was a prime example of the resiliency, beauty and fellowship that Kansas communities still have to offer. Eighty-one years of delicious fried chicken and fun have kept large crowds coming back to the picnic each summer. Volunteers cook the food and serve it to their friends, neighbors and one thousand other people who come to the picnic because of its’ reputation. For just $5 people were able to sit among their friends and be…
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s office Wednesday released more information regarding a Monday night accident, reported at about 9:17 p.m. Pottawatomie County Dispatch received a report of a motor vehicle accident with injury on Elm Slough Road, West of Salzer Road. The accident was a one vehicle roll-over, involving a 2007 Ford Pickup. The vehicle had been East bound on Elm Slough Road when it left the roadway and rolled. The driver, Craig Spears, 17, of Wamego was injured as a result of the accident. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. The accident remains under investigation. ### The…
The Department of the Army announced Wednesday the deployment of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan., with about 800 soldiers to Afghanistan in the summer of 2016. This deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. “I could not be more proud of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, and I know they will succeed at any mission given during this deployment,” Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division said. “The Demon brigade has trained long and hard for this important mission,…
Blue Valley Randolph USD 384 superintendent Brady Burton meets with KMAN’s Cathy Dawes: Christopher Dorm with My Mil Deals, Don Glaspie with Jon Murdock Chevrolet, David Cole with Dillards: Cathy visits with new Riley County USD 378 Supt. Cliff Williams: Trisha Gott and Kaitlin Long with Staley School of Leadership Studies at K-State on Furniture Amnesty Day:
Carli Hodges, 30, of Manhattan was arrested while in the 500 block of Leavenworth Street on Wednesday at approximately 12:25 AM. Hodges was arrested on the offenses of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. She was given a bond of $5,000. This arrest was the result of a traffic stop where a police K9 was deployed. Police are investigating a report of theft which is said to have occurred in the 1500 block of N. 10th Street (Manhattan Country Club) last Friday. Officers were told that several film canisters…
A reminder the very popular annual Flush Picnic is tonight(Wed. July 27th). Chicken dinner is served from 5:00-8:00. Chicken, potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, extras and pie. Adults are $9.00, kids (4-12) $5.00, 3 and under are free. The Flush Rd/24 Hwy intersection is closed but the detour is well marked and only adds a couple of miles. The Flush Picnic has been a local tradition since the 1930’s and especially popular during election years. Two quilts will be raffled, as well as the usual games for the kids-fish pond, train rides, and bouncy house. There’s also bingo, a bake and craft sale,…
Today’s guests on In Focus were: Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Dee McKee and Public Works Director Peter Clark Pottawatomie County Extension 4-H ambassadors Katie Reisinger, Tatum Brunkow, Rachel Forge, Tragan Sutton, and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Erin Tynon
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office has informed KMAN about a Saturday injury accident at the intersection of Flush Road and Highway 24. Sheriff’s Deputies, EMS, St. George Fire and St. George Police Department responded to the accident. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that a white 2016 Jeep Wrangler driven by Madison Gaume, 16, of Manhattan, was attempting to cross the eastbound lane of Highway 24 from the south side of Flush Road when it was struck by an eastbound silver 2004 Mercedes driven by Ronda Plumlee, 47, of Wamego. Gaume was transported to a local hospital and a passenger in the…
TOPEKA — A major rating agency on Tuesday downgraded Kansas’ credit rating for the second time in two years because of the state’s budget problems. S&P Global Ratings dropped its rating for Kansas to “AA-,” from AA, three months after putting the state on a negative credit watch. S&P also dropped the state’s credit rating in August 2014. Kansas has struggled to balance its budget since Republican Gov. Sam Brownback successfully pushed the GOP-dominated Legislature to slash personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 in an effort to stimulate the state’s economy. Brownback blames continuing shortfalls in monthly tax collections on…