TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department of Education is asking school districts how extensively they’re teaching cursive handwriting. Results of a survey will be presented to the state Board of Education at a meeting this week in Topeka. Schools around the country are spending less time on handwriting instruction as students do more of their work on computers. Experts say students accustomed to writing on computers at home have a hard time seeing the relevance of spending hours practicing handwriting. But the National Association of State Boards of Education wrote in a September policy update that there are benefits. The…
Author: KMAN Staff
HAYS, Kan. (AP) Hays education officials are moving ahead with plans for a middle-school addition that can also serve as a storm shelter. Deputy superintendent Richard Cain told The Hays Daily News that construction on the eight classrooms at Hays Middle School could begin in April. Cain says the district received an extension of the Sept. 16 deadline to submit plans to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those plans are expected to be submitted soon. The Hays USD 489 Board of Education voted in February to accept a FEMA grant to help pay for the project. The addition will be…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A man placed in the Boy Scouts’ so-called “perversion files” in 1968 went on to sexually assault a 6-year-old in 1992. The next year, Gerald V. Ashworth raped a mentally disabled woman and fondled another disabled woman. The mother of the raped woman says she wonders now whether her daughter might have avoided becoming a victim if the file had been public. The Wichita Eagle isn’t naming the mother to protect her daughter’s identity. Ashworth used his access as a volunteer and Sunday school teacher to drive the woman’s daughter from a church to a vacant home…
At least one governmental group was at work on the recognized Veteran’s day holiday (Monday), with Geary County officials canvassing last week’s election votes. One particular race was of interest, with only six apparent votes in final but unofficial results separating county commission candidates Larry Hicks and Mike Watson. Watson was a former director of the Riley County Police Department, while Hicks has served as a commissioner and was previously employed at Manhattan Broadcasting. The caucus (Monday) widened Hicks’ gap, with an official tally of 1,166 for Hicks and 1,150 for Watson–a 16 vote difference.
Even though the Wamego volleyball team saw their dream of a state tournament end in the regional finals, the Lady Raiders won 35 matches and lost to eventual 4A champion McPherson. The Kansas Volleyball Association named two Wamego girls to its 4A all-state team. Senior libero Rachel Griffitt made the second team, while sophomore middle blocker True Musstetter received honorable mention.
While details will not be available until after the Veteran’s Day holiday, several arrests of note are listed on this past weekend’s Riley County Police reports. Gary Lee Smith Jr., 34, of Manhattan was taken into custody on a warrant with charges including aiding and abetting in a crime and theft of property. A failure to appear warrant is also involved. His bond was set at $100,000. Antonio Sutton, 26, of Manhattan was arrested Saturday night on a failure to appear warrant, with bond set at $25,000. Sutton was arrested in May for aggravated robbery. Sutton is believed to be one of…
Two teenagers were injured in a Clay County accident Sunday evening. Ryan Affolter, 15, of Morganville was taken to Stormont Vail in Topeka, with another Ian Roetman, 15, of Miltonvale, taken to Clay County Medical Center. The Kansas Highway patrol reports Affolter was driving a 2001 Chevy Impala southoubound on Elk road, five miles west of Morganville, when he lost control, going into an east field embankment, with the vehicle rolling several times. The accident was reported at 7:45 Sunday evening. Neither Affolter nor Roetman had seatbelts on. Affolter is listed in fair condition Monday at Stormont Vail. Roetman is no longer listed as a patient at…
Leaders of congressional intelligence committees want to know more about the FBI investigation that led to David Petraeus resignation as CIA Director.
The Long Island Power Authority is facing tough criticism that it’s lagging behind others in restoring power two weeks after Superstorm Sandy. Sunday, one of its top executives defended its performance.
For the first time in school history, the Kansas State Football team is ranked #1 in the Bowl Championship Series Standings, which were released on Sunday evening. With Alabama’s loss on Saturday to Texas A&M the Wildcats moved into the top spot with an average score of .9674. Oregon moved up to #2 with a score of .9497 and Notre Dame was #3 with an average of .9396. Rounding out the top five were Alabama now at #4 and Georgia checking in at #5. K-State achieved its top ranking despite being ranked #2 in both the Associated Press Sportswriters Poll…