Author: KMAN Staff

Director of the Riley County Health Department Julie Gibbs gives important updates on the COVID-19 outbreak in Riley county. Gibbs gives an update on the status of COVID-19 in Manhattan. https://1350kman.com/update-manhattan-man-diagnosed-with-first-case-of-covid-19-in-riley-county/ Gibbs notes that certain factors can put some people at a higher risk from  the virus. Gibbs has issued an order to combat the virus. Gibbs mentions other exceptions to the ban. Also Gibbs says “above all don’t panic”. She also says to “avoid going out as much as possible”. Despite this it is still okay for Manhattan residents to go outdoors. Gibbs says “It’s okay to go…

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Manhattan — Pawnee Mental Health Services is dedicated to providing the mental health safety net for the counties of Cloud, Clay, Geary, Jewell, Marshall, Mitchell, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, and Washington. We will continue to provide services to new and existing clients during the COVID-19 situation, with adjustment to how some of these services are provided. In order to help contain the spread of COVID-19 PMHS is using the most current published guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local authorities. The following changes have been made to best serve our…

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Release from the Riley County Health Department. RILEY COUNTY LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER ISSUES AN ORDER PROHIBITING PUBLIC GATHERINGS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE (RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 20, 2020. There is now one confirmed case of the Coronavirus commonly known as COVID-19 inRiley County. Per her authority through Kansas State Statute 65-119, the Local Health Officer, Julie Gibbs, issues this order prohibiting all public gatherings of more than 10 people, whether indoors or outdoors, in Riley County effective at 12:01 A.M. on Saturday, March 21, 2020 unless otherwise exempted below. This order prohibiting public gatherings shall remain in effect…

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Update 3:30 p.m. A Manhattan man who recently traveled overseas is the first case of novel coronavirus in Riley County. RCHD Director Julie Gibbs says the 51-year-old man is being isolated in his home following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and local officials. The Manhattan Mercury reports the man received the virus from close contact to an infected individual in London. “The individual presented at the hospital on March 17,” says Gibbs. “The health care providers did everything correctly in containing and stopping the spread of the virus.” Officials are now reaching out to those who may have…

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Meal services Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman gave updates during a meeting Friday on meal services being provided to children in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He says the Wamego City Park location had initially averaged around 180 meals per day. Wamego USD 320 Food Service Director Laura Fails says that number has increased dramatically as they are now serving roughly 900 meals per day. That location runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and serves breakfast and lunch. Other locations serving meals to children include the Louisville baseball field from 11:30 am to 12:30 p.m. and St. George Elementary…

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Manhattan State Senator Tom Hawk has announced his bid for a third term in the Kansas Legislature. Hawk, who serves the 22nd District, which includes Riley, Clay and a portion of Geary County is the ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, which funds key priorities for the state. “As the world faces a serious public health crisis and with the challenges Kansans are likely to face in the coming days, months, and even years, I decided that there was no better day than today to file for re-election and stay engaged to keep supporting a…

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TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas on Friday launched a new program to provide short-term, no-interest loans to bars, restaurants, taverns and motels struggling to cover operating expenses because of the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. The program announced by Gov. Laura Kelly and state Commerce Secretary David Toland will make up to $5 million in loans, though Toland said the amount could grow larger. The program will supplement federal Small Business Administration loans that Kansas expects to become available within days. Kelly had a Statehouse news conference with Toland, other state officials and representatives of business groups to acknowledge the…

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OSKALOOSA, Kan. — A Baldwin City woman has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the 2018 shooting death of her mother’s boyfriend. Jefferson County Attorney Josh Ney announced Wednesday that Ashlyn Hemmerling was sentenced after pleading guilty to first-degree murder last year in the March 2018 shooting death of 22-year-old Taylor Dean Sawyer, of Lawrence, in a remote area of Perry Lake. Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Jonathan Blevins, was sentenced last year to life in prison with no chance of a parole for 50 years. Authorities said previously Hemmerling helped plan the shooting, which likely involved a…

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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 2100 block of Westchester Drive in Manhattan on March 20, 2020, at approximately 9:20 AM. Officers listed a 45-year-old man as the victim when he reported…

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