MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will increase its on-campus housing options with a $70 million project. The Kansas Board of Regents approved the university’s plan to construct a new residence hall and dining center on the west side of campus that will open fall 2015. In addition, the university plans to repurpose a dining center and renovate two residence halls by fall 2016. The university is preparing for future enrollment growth, and the project will better serve the academic needs of students by enhancing the on-campus living environment. The additions are the most significant residence hall upgrades in more than…
Author: KMAN Staff
Status reports released by the Geary County sheriff’s department Thursday indicate several arrests and bond amounts, apparently connected with last week’s crack/cocaine arrests involving the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and area law enforcement agencies. One name in particular stands out—with Anthony Thompson, 31, of Manhattan facing more than 70 drug-related charges, with bond set at $500,000. Albert Banks, 31, of Ogden faces at least a couple dozen charges, and a $250,000 bond. About 10 other people are listed on the report with drug-related offenses during the couple days’ of arrests, with bonds of $100,000. In unrelated cases, Jordan Young faces a $250,00 bond…
It’s time to talk with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler on today’s InFocus. [mp3-jplayer]
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The top Democrat in the Kansas House’s says he’ll discipline a staffer who’s been posting disparaging tweets about Republicans legislators. House Minority Leader Paul Davis said Thursday that he’ll take an unspecified “course of administrative action” against Tyler Longpine, his director of special projects. Longpine confirmed in a statement that he’d been posting messages under the Twitter social media tag John Brown’s Ghost. Longpine said that Davis didn’t know who was responsible for the tweets until Thursday. Longpine apologized and said he “should not have posted this content online.” Davis called the tweets “unacceptable.” A tweet Wednesday…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A company that operates hotels and resorts around the world says it plans to hire about 180 people later this year for a new customer contact center in Wichita. Officials of the Kansas Department of Commerce and Starwood Hotels announced plans for the center Thursday. Starwood says it plans to expand the center over the next five years, and could hire as many as 900 people in all. Starwood is based in Stamford, Conn., and owns or manages Westin, Sheraton and other hotels and resorts. The Wichita center will be one of several around the country. Employees…
SALINA, Kan. (AP) A preliminary hearing to determine if there’s enough evidence to try a man in the death of a Salina woman is set for Aug. 1. KSAL-AM reports that Joel Heil, 24, appeared via closed-circuit video Thursday morning in Saline County District Court. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the death of Kristin Tyler, 27. The mother of four was missing two weeks before her body was found May 9 in a ravine off Interstate 135 in rural Saline County. The preliminary hearing was scheduled for August to give Heil’s attorney, Julie Effenbeck, time to gather information about…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Senate approved a bill that would rescind state restrictions on land use near state or national historic sites. Supporters say the state’s involvement in developments near historic sites infringe on private property rights. Proponents say the current system allows preservation officers to investigate a project’s impact on the historic site, although local or state governments can overrule their recommendations. The Senate approved the bill Wednesday and it now goes back to the House for a vote. The Wichita Eagle reports the bill repeals state restrictions on the development or renovation of buildings within 500 feet…
SALINA, Kan. (AP) Although a federal judge has approved a consent decree involving the cleanup at the former Schilling Air Force Base in Salina, cleanup at the site is still years away. The Salina Journal reported Wednesday that the judge approved the joint settlement agreement between Salina authorities and the federal government. The approval is another step in an 18-year conflict over the cost of cleaning up contaminated groundwater and soil at a former Air Force base. The decree essentially starts the process of making a plan for the environmental cleanup of a plume of pollution that is moving toward…
LYONS, Kan. (AP) A central Kansas man has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for the sexual abuse of a child. Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Wednesday that Jeffrey S. Redding, 34, of Lyons was sentenced to 210 months in prison for rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. He pleaded no contest to the charges in February. Redding also will have to register as a sex offender for life, and have lifetime post-release supervision and electronic monitoring. The Hutchinson News reports Rice County District Court records indicate the crimes occurred in May 2010. Other…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic site in Topeka will display a black doll used in a series of famous race studies to mark the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The case that toppled segregated education was decided 59 years ago Friday. In the 1940s and 1950s, psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark presented children with a black doll and a white doll as part of social science experiments. The married black couple then asked the children which doll was the nicest, smartest and prettiest. Most chose the white doll. The Clarks testified about…