According to a recent press release, U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, along with U.S. Representatives Tim Huelskamp and Lynn Jenkins have announced $16 million in grants to be allocated towards the construction of a new elementary school on Fort Riley, replacing Geary County USD 475’s current school on post. Fort Riley Elementary School, which educates 500 children from kindergarten through the fifth grade, is ranked #20 on the Deputy Secretary of Defense Priority List. The grant for this project, made available by the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), comes from the Department’s Public Schools on Military Installations Program.…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The president of a south-central school board has been elected to the leadership of the Kansas Association of School Boards. A recent delegate assembly in Wichita chose Don Shimkus, of Oxford, as the association’s president-elect designee. He will begin serving as president-elect on July 1 and serve as president on July 1, 2015. Shimkus says he will work to ensure that all Kansas communities have the resources they need for public education. The association has nearly 5,000 members representing school boards, community colleges and technical schools.
Another court date was set for the man involved in the fatal crash, that occurred in September of last year. Daniel Nitchman (38) was scheduled for another status hearing Monday afternoon. Nitchman is charged in the fatal vehicle crash, where Samantha Coleman (31) of Abilene died. Although Nitchman did not appear in court, another status hearing has been scheduled for him on January 21st at 2:30.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A coalition that’s being formed to promote the use of alternative fuels is inviting businesses, groups and individuals to attend a meeting in downtown Wichita later this month. The Wichita Eagle reports Central Kansas Clean Cities is one of about 100 such groups across the country formed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities initiative. The group says its mission is to expand the use and availability of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. The central Kansas group is being formed under the auspices of the Kansas City-based Metropolitan Energy Center.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Topeka homeless shelter has received a $5,000 train safety education grant after two recent railroad track deaths of residents. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Topeka Rescue Mission is among 21 public safety agencies and other groups nationwide receiving such grants from Union Pacific. A woman staying at the Rescue Mission died in May on nearby tracks in a suicide, and a male guest died in July in what was believed to be an accident. Rescue Mission executive director Barry Feaker says at least six people have been fatally injured on the tracks in the past…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The University of Kansas Natural History Museum is restoring a 360-degree wildlife panorama that was installed in 1903. The panorama in the university’s Dyche Hall was damaged by temperatures, lights and humidity. Leonard Krishtalka, director of the KU Biodiversity Institute, says the building is now equipped with LED lights and temperatures controls that will help preserve the specimens. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that the first step in the restoration process was completed in December when researchers conducted a chemical analysis of the exhibit. In March, researchers will analyze the exhibit for degradation such as the splitting animal…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Kansas farmers are coping with frigid conditions as they look after cattle herds. Most Kansas ranchers have not begun calving yet. But the lack of snow on the ground means cattle can stay dry and better weather the subzero weather. But it also means there is little protective cover for exposed winter wheat crops. It will be spring before farmers know the full extent of freeze damage. The National Weather Service says Garden City and Cottonwood Falls had the state’s lowest temperatures early Monday at minus 12 degrees. Temperatures elsewhere varied widely, with southeast and northeast Kansas…
CHANUTE, Kan. (AP) The public can expect sirens, helicopters and blocked roads in Chanute this week as law enforcement agencies converge on the southeast Kansas town for an active-shooter exercise. The mock event is scheduled Tuesday at Neosho County Community College. Police, fire, medical and media units from local and regional agencies will participate. Officials say the purpose is to prepare, practice and reflect on a response to a major crisis situation. The exercise begins at 10 a.m. and is expected to last about four hours.
On today’s InFocus, Cathy talks with Glenn Brunkow, local farmer and rancher and agriculture columnist and blogger, followed by Leah Fliter, USD 383 School Board member, and Superintendent Bob Shannon.
As of January 1st, new procedures and a new system for Commercial Vehicles will be utilized. Vehicles must have a US DOT #, which can be found online at truckingks.org. Currently there is no cost for this service. During Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting, County Treasurer, Eileen King mentioned this will not impact farm vehicles, as the new system is only for Intrastate Commercial vehicles. These vehicles will now be issued a purple on white “commercial” plate. Instead of having vehicle charges based off of the appropriate county’s mill levy, this requires commercial vehicles to all be under the “commercial…