Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has announced a closure of State Office Buildings in the Capitol Complex for Tuesday and Wednesday. The closures come amid anticipated protests nationwide amid the inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden and the recent violence in Washington, D.C. Additional administration buildings are also being closed. Kelly, in a statement Monday said “The safety and well-being of our employees is my top priority. These steps are taken out of an abundance of caution – and I thank all employees for their patience and understanding during this time.” State employees are instructed to work remotely and if regular duties…
Author: KMAN Staff
Vaccine clinicals for staff at Ascension Via Christi are still underway. KMAN was recently invited to the hospital to observe the COVID vaccine process. So far, the hospital has administered over 1,000 doses including both the Manhattan and Wamego locations. Staff, such as Pharmacy Director Kevin Oehme, are excited to finally be at this point. ‘It’s fun to be a part of this after almost 12 months and seeing a lot of sick patients, a lot of sleepless nights with trying to keep our staff safe,” says Oehme. “Knowing that we are able to get staff through here and protected…
The Konza Student Table, a partnership between St. Isidore’s Catholic Church and the Riley County and City of Manhattan Food and Farm Council, has been providing meals for K-State students in need since its creation last fall. Vickie James, Food and Farm Council coordinator, says they likely serve hundreds of students each week. “Before the student break, we were up to serving 600 meals on Wednesday evenings,” James said. “A great percentage of those since the break have been international students because it’s not simple for them to travel home.” While numbers have dwindled to between 250 and 300 meals…
WICHITA, Kan. — Authorities say a parolee rummaging through trash fatally shot the owner of a south Wichita restaurant. Police Capt. Jason Stephens identified 42-year-old Oscar Acosta of Wichita as the person shot Thursday outside of Birrieria Tito restaurant. The Wichita Eagle reports that police arrested 26-year-old Adrian Nicholas Zongker a couple of blocks west of the restaurant. He was booked into Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon as well as on a state warrant in a separate case. Kansas Department of Corrections records show that Zongker has five prior…
LAWRENCE, Kan. — An Lawrence police officer who has been accused of fracturing a skateboarder’s elbow during an arrest has resigned. The Lawrence Journal World reports that Brad Williams’ resignation took effect Jan. 6. Police spokesperson Patrick Compton did not indicate a reason for the resignation. Williams arrested 45-year-old Duc Tran, of Lawrence, after encountering him skateboarding in the street in June 2019. The case against Tran’ later was thrown out, and his attorney alleges excessive force. A notice of claim sent to the city in September alleges that Tran suffered a fractured elbow, dislocated right shoulder, a chipped tooth,…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — More than 100 residents of a Kansas’s largest housing project have been told they’ll have to move because the facility is closing, but officials say that won’t happen for roughly two more years. The Housing Authority of Kansas City, Kansas, is making plans to shut down Juniper Gardens partly because the complex that opened in 1962 is in need of major upgrades and officials favor a different approach to public housing. The more successful model today calls for public housing to be tucked into regular neighborhoods often with people receiving subsidies to help them pay rent.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas lawmakers have been moving quickly on legislation that would extend the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration before it expires on Jan. 26. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the two temporary bills moving in the state Senate and House deal with COVID-19-related provisions will impact on the coronavirus response. Both have had public hearings and passed out of committee in the first week of the session. The bills extend legislation passed last year outlining temporary changes in law in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Those include allowing establishments to offer to-go alcohol, expanding the use of telemedicine and adding…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A former Kansas prison guard will stand trial on 10 counts related to a drug-smuggling case at a Hutchinson prison. The Hutchinson News reports that Zachary Wood was bound over for trial last week following a preliminary hearing on counts ranging from possession with intent to distribute to trafficking in a correctional facility. Prosecutors say Wood tried to smuggle drugs into the prison last summer after arranging sales with three women. The three women are charged with conspiracy to traffic in a penal institution and also appeared in court Thursday. Denisha Starnes, Esther Davis and Stephanie Thindiu…
Monday’s program featured guests from the Food and Farm Council of Manhattan and Riley County, including council coordinator Vickie James and council chair Sharolyn Jackson. Sunset Zoo Marketing and Development Officer Melissa Kirkwood joined us to highlight January and February events happening at the Manhattan zoo.
The hour long ceremony featured Religious figures, Musicians, and guest speakers from all walks of life to not just promote the sit-in, but impart all manner of life lessons from MLK and those who continue to cherish his memory by carrying the torch to light the way for change today. In July 1958, Black students congregated at downtown Wichita’s Dockum Drugstore to organize a non-violent protest against segregation, racial discrimination and practices. Tired of being denied admittance to the city’s cinemas and cafes, students made a move and directed their focus toward the highly frequented lunch counter at…