Representatives from the City of Manhattan, Riley County, Pottawatomie County and Geary County were present at the joint city/counties meeting Thursday evening as discussion of the MPO, or Metropolitan Planning Organization, continued. At the meering, Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett made a request asking to allow Junction City and Geary County to be included within the boundaries of the MPO. Pottawatomie County, however, did not seem really invested in trying to gain more territory within the boundaries than necessary as Wamego has not been pushed within the lines. The discussion between area officials led to the selection of the proposed map 4a…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Topeka city officials are asking residents to consider voluntarily conserving water. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the request is in response to Gov. Sam Brownback’s recent declaration of drought conditions in Kansas. There are 82 counties in the state that have been declared federal drought disaster areas. Temperatures are expected to stay above the 100-degree mark for the next several days, and a heat advisory has also been issued for much of northeastern Kansas through Saturday. Topeka officials say the city has experienced high water usage by customers in recent weeks, but they say the city remains well…
ANTHONY, Kan. (AP) A century-old racetrack in south-central Kansas will ride into history Friday, when all of its equipment and assets are auctioned off. The Anthony Downs racetrack, which opened in 1904, closed in 2009 after losing simulcasting money when larger tracks in Kansas closed. KAKE-TV reports a group of people who lived near the quarter-mile track bought the property. The auction is being held to clear the area for potential development. Everything left at the track will be auctioned, including grandstands, fences, horse stalls and barns. Auctioneer Brandon Gerber says the auction was scheduled so people can buy a…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Washburn University in Topeka is planning to build a new $40 million School of Law. The schools regents on Wednesday approved a funding proposal for what would be the most ambitious single- building construction and fundraising project in the university’s history. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the university plans to finance the building through a $20 million fundraising effort, $10 million from university reserve funds and borrowing $10 million in short-term bonds. University officials say a developer determined it would cost more to renovate the current building. No timeline for constructing the building has been determined. University officials…
STOCKTON, Kan. (AP) Rooks County Undersheriff Chad Sterling has been chosen to be the county’s new sheriff. Gov. Sam Brownback has appointed Sterling to fill the unexpired term of Randy Axelson, who resigned in May after being charged with methamphetamine distribution. The Hays Daily News reports Rooks County Republicans forwarded Sterling’s name to Brownback for the appointment. The 43-year-old Axelson faces nine felony counts of methamphetamine distribution. He is free on $45,000 bond.
PRATT, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism says chronic wasting disease has been confirmed in seven deer in the state. The agency also said there are two other presumptive positive samples that require more testing. The number is down slightly from the 10 found with the disease last year. Since testing began in 1996, Kansas has had 49 confirmed cases of deer with chronic wasting disease. The disease was first detected in Cheyenne County in 1955. The fatal disease causes holes in the brain, giving it a sponge-like appearance. The agency says there’s no evidence that…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Lottery posted a record sales year in the fiscal year ending June 30, topping $244 million on the strength of record-setting, multi-state jackpots. Lottery Executive Director Dennis Wilson says the agency will transfer $72 million to the state general fund, which is the highest amount transferred to the fund since the lottery began in 1987. The previous high was $70 million in fiscal year 2011. One of those record jackpots was the $656 million pot for Mega Millions in March. One of the three winning tickets was sold in Kansas.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) An engineering building at Wichita State University has a new name after the widow of a late Cessna executive committed $3 million to the school. Starting this month, the Engineering Research Building began going by the name Donald L. Beggs Hall. Beggs stepped down as Wichita State’s president in June after 13 years. Velma Wallace says Beggs and his wife, Shirley, have had a “tremendous” influence on the university and community. She says naming the building after Beggs is a “testimony to his many contributions.” Her gift will help pay for bonds used to construct the building.…
Making its annual debut, the performance of Hoo Haw is right the corner. Running the first, second and third weekends in August, the show is a favorite on the Columbian Theatre stage. “It’s one of our best selling and popular shows, so we’ve brought it back every year,” said Clint Stueve, executive director of the Columbian Theatre. The musical will include a mix of both country and gospel songs both old and new in a comedic performance. Tickets are available on the Columbian Theatre website or by calling 800-899-1893. Show times include 7:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:00 pm…
“Mad Men,” a piercingly bleak portrait of a 1960s American anti-hero, earned a leading 17 Emmy nominations and the chance to set a new record as the most-honored drama in television history. “American Horror Story” also earned 17 nods.