Kansas State University continues to take steps in the right direction for diversity. On Wednesday night, students and faculty from many different backgrounds gathered at the newly constructed Morris Family Multicultural Student Center for a student dedication ceremony. Representatives from the Native American Student Body shared more about the smudging ceremony they dedicated to the center. The Asian American Student Union Representatives gave gifts of a money tree; a broom, representing a fresh start; as well as lucky bamboo. Sadine Hoff, AASU Vice President External, says the lucky bamboo represents more than just the five elements. “It also encompasses balance,…
Author: KMAN Staff
USD 320 Wamego has finalized its calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. Tim Winter, USD 320 superintendent, says staff opted for a full week off for Thanksgiving break instead of the usual three days off leading up to the weekend. “That week off at Thanksgiving was won by just a few votes,” Winter said. “I believe it was a two-vote spread when we put it to a vote with our staff.” Despite this change, Wamego schools will stick with the traditional two weeks off for winter break. Winter says they also decided to front-load the first half of the year…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a former University of Kansas Medical Center administrator has pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in a scheme that saw him embezzle more than $500,000 from the institution. Federal prosecutors said in a news release that 49-year-old Michael Tae Kim Ahlers, of Lenexa, was the administrative officer for the occupational therapy education department at KUMC in Kansas City from 2009 through 2015, when he stole more than $500,000 for his personal use. Investigators say Ahlers deposited the funds into a KUMC Credit Union account that allowed him…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A 34-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Wichita teenager who was dragged for miles during an attempted car theft. Kevin Michael James Palmer was also charged Tuesday with felony theft. Prosecutors say the 13-year-old girl was sitting in an SUV Saturday waiting for relatives to get food when Palmer jumped in and drove away. The girl, who police have not identified, got caught in a seat belt when she tried to escape and was dragged for several miles. Police say Palmer was arrested as he ran away from the…
KIRWIN, Kan. (AP) — Officials in northern Kansas say a man has drowned after falling through the ice at the Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge. Wichita television station KAKE reports that the incident happened Tuesday afternoon at the national wildlife refuge near Kirwin in Phillips County. The Phillips County Sheriff’s Office says it was a 67-year-old man who fell through the ice on Kirwin Reservoir, but officials have not released his name or details about what he was doing on the ice. Officials say his body was recovered with help from the Phillipsburg Fire Department, Kirwin Fire Department, U.S. Fish and…
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 by deception in the 1600 block of Leavenworth St. in Manhattan on February 9, 2021, at approximately 6:39 p.m. Officers listed a 20-year-old male as the victim when…
Stormwater-detention fees Manhattan may soon enact a fee to help pay for drainage and flood-reduction capital-improvement projects. If implemented, it would impact property developers and relieve them of having to build water-detention systems for certain buildings. Mayor Wynn Butler voiced support for the proposal, saying it would be more effective than having a series of independent detention systems. “We’ve got millions of dollars worth of CIP and if we could funnel this money into that, I think it would have a much wider impact on the city than somebody trying to retrofit a piece of concrete,” Butler said during a…
Pottawatomie County school superintendents joined us Wednesday for a monthly update. Guests included from USD 320 Wamego Public Schools, Superintendent Tim Winter and from USD 323 Rock Creek Public Schools, Superintendent Kevin Logan. Manhattan Area Technical College President Jim Genandt joined us to provide an update on a new Mechatronics curriculum and lab being introduced later this year as well as a new HirePaths project through New Boston Creative.
The Riley County Health Department and Riley County Police are reminding residents to be aware of potential scams about COVID-19 vaccinations and testing as the vaccination process ramps up. While none have been reported in the area, the departments released information this week describing what residents should look out for. They include: * Ads for vaccines through social media – You see an ad on any number of social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) advertising a vaccine option. These will usually ask for personal information to make sure you qualify. Do not trust social media posts that are not from…
As many are weathering the winter weather, Kansas Gas Service and The Salvation Army are bringing the heat with the Share The Warmth program. Designed to help Kansas families needing assistance, Share The Warmth is a partnership between The Salvation Army and Kansas Gas Service providing energy assistance to senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and those whose immediate financial resources simply cannot cover their home-heating expenses. Manager of Public Relations for Kansas Gas Service Dawn Tripp says this program is designed to help low income Kansas residents with their home heating expenses and navigating the hardships with the current pandemic.…