Wednesday’s guest was Riley County Historical Museum Curator of Design Allana Parker, talking holiday traditions in Riley County history. We also at the beginning of segment one spoke with the winners in the annual Jingle Bell Rock station contest.
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Gov. Laura Kelly has named the Kansas Department of Labor’s deputy secretary as its top administrator. Her announcement Tuesday showed she still is working to find another, permanent leader for an agency that struggled for months to process claims from workers left unemployed by the coronavirus pandemic. Acting Secretary Brett Flachsbarth is the third person to lead the Department of Labor in less than seven months. Kelly’s first labor secretary was Delia Garcia, and she resigned in June amid problems with the system for distributing unemployment benefits. Her replacement was Acting Secretary Ryan Wright, and he…
Several health care workers in Riley County rolled up their sleeves to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, the health department received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and on Tuesday they started to administer the vaccine to local health care workers. Julie Gibbs, Health Department Director says they are thankful for this day and tells KMAN who was part of the group that received the vaccine. “We have approximately 200 doses that we’re able to give to our first line health care providers,” Gibbs says. “So we’re looking at EMS, first line health…
Belvue Bridge Pottawatomie County commissioners agreed Monday to pursue a grant in conjunction with Wabaunsee County that could potentially cover the entire cost of the Belvue Bridge project. If awarded, the grant could pay for about $11 million in improvements to extend the life of the bridge by about 100 years. However, if the two counties do not get the grant, they will stick with the originally agreed upon $7.5 million project with Pottawatomie County paying for 83 percent and Wabaunsee County covering the rest. Commissioner Pat Weixelman voted in favor of the grant but expressed frustration with the change in plans.…
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 200 block of S. 6th St. in Manhattan on December 21, 2020, at approximately 8:18 a.m. Officers listed a 58-year-old female as the victim when it…
WICHITA, Kan. — A bank robbery suspect died after being chased by police in Kansas, but authorities didn’t say whether he was shot by officers or died as a result of a crash. The robbery happened just before 4 p.m. Monday at Golden Plains Credit Union in Wichita. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and drove away in a stolen pickup truck. Police chased him and the suspect crashed into two police vehicles and two other vehicles. At least one officer fired shots, but authorities have not said whether the suspect was struck. He was pronounced dead at…
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — A 45-year-old woman from Ulysses is dead after a crash involving a semi near Garden City. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that Monica D. Walker died in the accident Monday night on U.S. 50 about nine miles east of Garden City. The patrol report says an eastbound semi crossed the center line and struck Walker’s Lincoln MKZ. The driver of the semi was not injured. An investigation continues.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is ending operation of a special drug-focused unit, calling its structure outdated as the department moves away from focusing on “low-level users.” Sheriff’s office spokesman Jenn Hethcoat told the Lawrence Journal-World that the decision to dissolve the unit that works with Lawrence police was finalized in November. Hethcoat says the office will continue to operate a special investigative unit but with a focus on crimes related to drug activity, “not low-level users who would benefit more directly from behavioral health support than incarceration.” The county’s new sheriff, Jay Armbrister, takes office Jan.…
Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman joined us for a discussion on county matters and looked ahead to 2021 priorities. Kansas State Sen. Tom Hawk joined us for a 2021 legislative preview. State lawmakers convene the new session in Topeka on Jan. 11.