South Africa’s president says Nelson Mandela has died at age 95. Jacob Zuma says “we’ve lost our greatest son.”
Author: KMAN Staff
Protestors demonstrate outside a McDonald’s restaurant on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. Demonstrations were planned nation-wide Thursday as a part of push by labor unions, worker advocacy groups and Democrats to raise the federal minimum wage of $7.25 to $15. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Winter weather has arrived in Riley County, and Noxious Weed Director, Dennis Peterson seemed relieved to finish all of the mowing in time. During Thursday’s county commission meeting, Peterson shared details about one of the mowers that seems to be wearing down. Three mowers are used to complete the mowing in the county- one primary mower used full time and two secondary mowers used part time. The primary mower was recently replaced, but now the “third mower in line” is in need of help. Peterson said the department has spent over $51,000 in repairs in the past five years on…
Another Quiznos Restuarant in Manhattan has closed. The East Manhattan Quiznos on Hayes Drive closed its doors to business earlier this week. Owner Dave Dreilling tells KMAN the restaurant simply wasn’t making money, adding Corporate Quiznos makes it really difficult to make money. Dreilling says he has better opportunities with other brands and concepts. The Quiznos on the west side of Manhattan on Anderson also closed several months ago. Regarding another business venture, a GTM retail store in Topeka is closing. Dreilling,who owns GTM based in Manhattan, indicates the location in Topeka was not a great one for retail, and it had become a distraction. He says he’s…
A fatal construction demolition accident is being investigated by the Geary County Sheriff’s Department. Stephen Hetzler,63, of Manhattan died in the accident in the 2300 block of Poland Road, reported shortly before three Wednesday afternoon. Geary County Sheriffs deputies, Geary County Emergency Management and paramedics were dispatched to the area regarding a call about a subject hit by a rock and knocked unconscious. Upon arrival, deputies and fire personnel found the unresponsive victim, later identified as Hetzler. Hetzler was pronounced dead immediately by fire personnel on the scene. The investigation revealed Hetzler was working for a local company and was utilizing…
A Manhattan woman who has been serving as Director of Kansas’ Division for Tourism, for the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism, is no longer serving in that position. That was the word regarding Becky Blake, from Linda Craghead, the Department’s Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism, who sent emails to that effect Wednesday. No reason was given for the sudden move, although Craghead indicates she and the Department’s Secretary Robin Jennison and Governor Sam Brownback appreciate the contributions Blake has made to the state of Kansas in her role as tourism director since 2005. The email adds the Governor…
The Kansas City Royals acquired the National League leader in singles this past season when they traded left handed reliever Will Smith to the Milwaukee Brewers for Norichika Aoki. The 31-year old Japanese outfielder hit .286 last season with the Brewers with eight homers and 37 RBI. He piled up 148 singles out of his 171 hits and started 155 games last season. Over the last two seasons, Aoki has served as the Brewers’ lead off man, amassing 50 stolen bases. He also will be affordable with a salary of just $2 milion. Smith made 19 appearances last season for…
A bomb threat has been reported at the Riley County Courthouse. The threat came in shortly before 10:30 a.m. KMAN’s Laura Monsanto reported from the scene and indicates county commissioners were notified of the bomb threat during their meeting at a nearby building. Riley County Community Corrections Director Shelly Williams told commissioners of the bomb threat. Commissioners were in executive session when the report first came in. The courthouse was evacuated, but Monsanto indicates judges and court reporters were being escorted back into the courthouse before 11 a.m. The all clear from the Iris alert system came in shortly before…
A St.George man was arrested by Riley County Police on a failure to appear warrant Wednesday. Alto Johns, 42, was taken into custody at approximately 3:45 PM for a failure to appear warrant with the original offense of possession of certain hallucinogenic drugs. Johns was held and later released on a $6,000 bond. ### Riley County Police are investigating a report of burglary in the 400 block of Elm Street in Ogden. This incident occurred sometime in late November and resulted in the theft of several items belonging to Terry Hendrick, 54, of Ogden. These items included several construction tools such as a…
Taking much of Wednesday night’s USD 383 school board meeting was the topic of virtual learning. Beginning their night with a work session, the board had an opportunity to examine some of their issues and questions about the virtual learning program here in the Manhattan Ogden school district. The main topic that was up for a motion was whether the district would terminate their contract with the K-12 virtual program. That decision was made as the board had a 7-0 vote to term their contract, but what now? That’s where the board will pick up at their next meeting on…