SALINA, Kan. (AP) Some central Kansas safety officials say storm chasers created traffic jams and put others in danger while following severe weather that hit the state during the weekend. But professional storm chasers are defending the practice, saying they provide valuable information to public officials during stormy weather. Dickinson County officials compared traffic to a funeral procession along some roads and highways during storms Saturday in northwest portions of the county. They told The Salina Journal that some storm chasers would not move for emergency vehicles and drove over active power lines. Lanny Dean, who runs an Oklahoma-based storm…
Author: KMAN Staff
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The University of Kansas is offering buyouts to 540 of its faculty and staff on its Lawrence and Edwards campus in Overland Park. Provost Jeff Vittner announced the buyouts Monday in an email to university employees. He says those who accept the buyouts would receive a cash payment equal to one year’s salary, up to a maximum of $100,000. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the 540 staff members represent 11.25 percent of the university’s faculty and staff. Gavin Young, a spokesman for the provost’s office, says the buyouts were not established with a specific amount of savings in…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita will be closed this week to clean up from damage it sustained during the weekend storms. Museum director Lon Smith estimated the museum suffered between $100,000 and $150,000 in damage. But he says the main building was not seriously damaged. The Wichita Eagle reports the copper roof on the control tower flew off and gouged the membrane on the museum building. Fencing and air conditioning units also were damaged. Four of the museum’s 20 planes were damaged, with a Cessna 02B from the Vietnam era completely destroyed. Some planes were blown…
GREAT BEND, Kan. (AP) Gov. Sam Brownback will host a gathering April 28 in central Kansas to discuss the state’s potential to develop outdoor sites for ecotourism. The summit will be held at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area near Great Bend. Presenters will include Ted Eubanks, founder of the ecotourism consulting firm Fermata. Brownback has invited participants to discuss ideas for nature-based tourism focusing on wildlife and the landscape, such as bird-watching and photography. The summit is by invitation only because seating at the education center is limited.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) In a state whose official song salutes deer and antelope at play on the range, Gov. Sam Brownback has declared this to be a week to celebrate cowboy poetry. The governor is urging Kansans to mark Cowboy Poetry Week through Saturday with “the appropriate celebration,” although he did not say what form that might take. Brownback issued a proclamation Monday recognizing the contributions of cowboy poets throughout the state’s history. He says cowboy and pioneer poets have played a large part in preserving Western heritage and the culture of Kansas. The proclamation also says the “long tradition…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Wichita officials have announced plans for helping residents dispose of debris from Saturday night’s tornado. The EF3 tornado slammed the southeastern side of Wichita with winds of 136 to 165 mph, uprooting trees and damaging or destroying 100 homes in a mobile home park. The city says people living in directly affected neighborhoods can leave tree limbs and brush at the curb for collection in coming days. Four sites have also been designated for debris disposal Brooks Landfill, CDR Landfill and two waste transfer stations. Regular disposal fees will apply to property owners.
Riley County Commissioners met Monday to discuss a variety of different items on their agenda. One of the biggest being the closing of the Riley County Treasurers office in order for the state wide Motor Vehicle and Drivers Licence system conversion. The office will be closed from May 1st through the 7th and could potentially cause issues for people trying to renew their April tags at the last minute. Eileen King, Riley County Treasurer, had a word of caution of those people who have until April 30th to get their tags renewed. Do it early. King said during her meeting…
Bruce Weber’s basketball team just got a little bit stronger already, but it’s not via transfer just yet. The Manhattan Mercury is reporting that Angel Rodriguez has decided to stay at K-State. This according to Rodriguez’s former AAU coach Art Alvarez, who says Rodriguez wasn’t sure about whether to return to K-State as recently as Friday. He reportedly made his decision over the weekend. Rodriguez says he’s remaining a Wildcat because he loves his teammates and the university, but also because of Weber’s ability to tutor point guards like Deron Williams and Dee Brown. Rodriguez averaged just over 8 points and led the team with 3…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Justin Verlander beat Kansas City once again, surviving a shaky ninth inning Monday night to deliver the Detroit Tigers a 3-2 victory over the Royals. Austin Jackson hit a leadoff homer and Brandon Inge added a two-run shot in the fifth for the Tigers, giving their reigning AL Cy Young winner enough support when things got tight. Verlander (1-1) allowed an RBI single by Humberto Quintero with two outs in the ninth, and then loaded the bases when he walked Mitch Maier and plunked Alcides Escobar on the elbow. Verlander came back to strike out…
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) After a season of turmoil, one marred by injuries to some of their best players and the firing of the head coach, the Kansas City Chiefs are ready for a reset. The Chiefs began their offseason program Monday, and next week’s draft gives general manager Scott Pioli and coach Romeo Crennel another opportunity to fill holes that have developed since last season’s 7-9 campaign. Pioli has already been busy this offseason, bolstering the offense by signing tackle Eric Winston, running back Peyton Hillis and tight end Kevin Boss. Kansas City will also get a bunch…