MISSION, Kan. — The death toll from COVID-19 is approaching 800,000 in the U.S., bringing an end to an especially difficult year for the many families who lost loved ones during the pandemic. Carolyn Burnett is bracing for her first Christmas without her son Chris, a beloved Kansas high school football coach whose outdoor memorial service drew hundreds. The unvaccinated 34-year-old father of four died in September as a result of COVID-19 after nearly two weeks on a ventilator, and his loss has left a gaping hole for his family as the holidays approach. His mother set up a special…
Author: KMAN Staff
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for theft in the 2600 block of Buttonwood Dr. in Manhattan on December 13, 2021, around 4:42 p.m. Officers listed a 28-year-old male as the victim when it was reported…
On Tuesday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke and Community Corrections Intensive Supervision Officer Sara Darnell.
Fort Riley’s Parker Gate reopened Monday. The Parker Access Control Point had been closed in relation to a construction project that began in September. The gate will be closed on weekends and holidays, but otherwise is open Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Access to the post through the Grant Access Control Point will see changes in January in connection with a road repair project. That starts January 10th at the junction of Huebner, Custer and McCormick Roads. Motorists are told to expect increased travel times during construction, which will continue through May.
OMAHA, Neb. — The National Weather Service is warning of potentially damaging winds in parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Missouri this week on the heels of devastating tornadoes that wreaked havoc in the Midwest. The weather service has issued a high wind watch starting Wednesday morning for most of Kansas and Nebraska and the northwest corner of Missouri. Central Iowa is under the same watch starting Wednesday afternoon into that night. Forecasters say strong sustained winds between 25 mph and 40 mph are expected in the region, with gusts of more than 65 mph at times. The weather service…
Amid circulating rumors on social media, the Manhattan Mercury has confirmed the identity of a K-State football player wounded in a Sunday shooting in Aggieville. According to the Mercury, 24-year-old Reed Godinet suffered a gunshot wound during the incident that occurred in Tate’s Bar just before 1:30 a.m. The senior defensive end graduated with his bachelor’s degree in communication studies last week. Godinet and a second 24-year-old man were injured in the violence, with the unnamed victim reported to have suffered a concussion. The two were transported to Ascension Via Christi for treatment, with Godinet ultimately being life-flighted to Stormont…
PARSONS, Kan. — Parsons police say someone beheaded a puppy belonging to one of their officers in what they termed a “targeted attack.” Police said the officer found the 3-month-old puppy, named Ranger, dead in her yard last Friday. Investigators determined the dog had been taken to another location, killed, and then returned to the officer’s home. Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said investigators believe the puppy’s death was a targeted attack against the officer. The police department is offering a $1,000 reward for information in the case. The suspect or suspects could face felony animal cruelty and trespassing charges.
WASHINGTON — Unusually warm temperatures and a storm system moving east linked to the La Nina weather pattern helped create the conditions necessary for the monstrous tornadoes and severe weather that tore through parts of the the Midwest and South. Tornadoes in December are unusual, but not unheard of. Scientists say figuring out how climate change is affecting the frequency of tornadoes is complicated and their understanding is still evolving. Still, they say the atmospheric conditions that give rise to such outbreaks including rising temperatures, moisture, and wind shear are intensifying as the planet warms.
GYPSUM, Kan. — Two more earthquakes rattled residents in north-central Kansas Saturday evening. The U.S. Geological Survey said nearly 100 people reported feeling the earthquake that struck four miles southwest of Gypsum shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday. The magnitude 3.8 earthquake came several days after a magnitude 4.3 earthquake was reported near the same area on Wednesday. Officials another milder earthquake of magnitude 2.5 was also reported in the area earlier on Saturday evening. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from Saturday’s quakes.
LABETTE COUNTY, Kan. — Voters in southeast Kansas managed to do something state law makes difficult when they voted earlier this month to recall their county commissioner. The vote to remove Labette County Commissioner Brian Kinzie from office won’t be official until Monday, but he has conceded that he lost the race. The campaign against Kinzie was based on the fact that he violated Kansas’ open meetings act when he had a phone conversation with another member of the three-person county commission. The Kansas Attorney General’s office investigated that. And recall petition organizers also raised concerns about whether Kinzie’s family…