Reduced capacity The Manhattan Emergency Shelter recently had to reduce its capacity in order to comply with quarantine and social distancing guidelines meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Despite these changes, Emily Wagner, Executive Director for the shelter, says they are still taking in clients. According to Wagner, the moratorium on home evictions has helped keep the number of people in the shelter down. She says however, that she is worried about what will happen once the moratorium is lifted. Wagner says that if the COVID-19 situation reaches a certain point in Riley County, public-quarantine sites may become available,…
Author: KMAN Staff
Wednesday’s program featured conversations with USD 384 Blue Valley/Randolph Superintendent Brady Burton and USD 378 Riley County Superintendent Cliff Williams regarding the shift to more online learning amid the coronavirus pandemic. Flint Hills Area Transportation Authority Executive Director Anne Smith discussed the changes to aTa bus service amid the pandemic and an upcoming switch to Saturday service starting March 30. Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Inc. Executive Director Emily Wagner discussed how the shelter has remained open amid the pandemic and some of the challenges and questions remaining ahead for the homeless community.
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a 30-year-old Garden City man died at a Tyson Fresh Meats plant in western Kansas. Finney County authorities say Kendrick Gregory was injured early Monday at the plant in Garden City. The sheriff’s office says Gregory was doing maintenance on an assembly line when he apparently was pulled up by his harness against a take-away belt. A co-worker was able to cut Gregory free. He died later at a Garden City hospital. The investigation is continuing.
Oklahoma City (AP) — Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Stores says its founder, Bill Braum, has died. He was 92. The company announced the death Tuesday. The company says in a statement that Braum died Monday at his home in Tuttle, Oklahoma. He grew up in Emporia, KS, where he worked for the small butter and milk processing plant his father ran. He inherited the plant, but later sold it. Braum launched the chain bearing his name in 1968 with 22 Oklahoma stores. The chain has grown to nearly 300 stores with locations in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri.
The combination of an upcoming severe weather season and mandates preventing people from gathering in groups greater than 10 could make things difficult for those who don’t have their own storm shelter. Pottawatomie County Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow says if it comes down to it, immediate safety will take priority. She also says if severe weather were to happen, her team is prepared despite having to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Merrow is urging county residents to sign up for the Everbridge emergency notification system as this will be a primary way of receiving emergency messages as the COVID-19…
The American Red Cross surpassed its goal by 19 pints at the Manhattan Community Blood Drive Tuesday. The blood drive took place over two days at Pottorf Hall in Cico Park and brought in much needed donations during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is causing thousands of drives across the country to be canceled. Daryl Strouts, a Manhattan resident, participated in drive and gave his 100th blood donation. The American Red Cross is currently putting on another drive for those who would still like to donate blood. It is taking place today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. til 4:30…
Bid-opening delay Due to increasing inspection costs and construction worker wage rates, the Pottawatomie County Commission decided to delay the bid opening for the US-24 Highway and Green Valley Rd. intersection improvement project by three weeks during their meeting Monday. Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he is considering abandoning the project all together. Public Works Director Peter Clark believes doing so or even delaying the project for too long could jeopardize the county’s ability to access Kansas Department of Transportation funds in the future as it can reflect poorly on the ability of state workers to get things done. On the…
Several airlines have been cancelling flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact is reaching Manhattan Regional Airport. Director Jesse Romo says they are learning about the situation with airlines and COVID-19 at the same time as the public. He and his staff are having to constantly check with the airlines on a day to day basis. “This isn’t a typical schedule change, where the airlines would come out with advanced warning. This is something very critical for the entire industry,” says Romo,” Airplanes are flying around without any passengers in them.” On Tuesday, most of the American Eagle…