The 83rd session of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas is set to take place next week on the K-State campus. Boys state aims to expose high school students to an interactive experience during which they learn about government, leadership and civic responsibility. While the event is normally restricted to boys who have completed their junior year of high school, Boys State of Kansas executive director Tom Wierman says this year’s session will be different. Last year’s session was canceled due to the pandemic. Wierman says 2020 was one of the only years in Boys State of Kansas history…
Author: KMAN Staff
USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden Schools has announced that effective Friday face masks will be required in all buildings again, no matter anyone’s vaccination status. The announcement comes after the Centers for Disease Control issued guidance this week for areas where coronavirus spread has been at a high rate over the past few weeks. Central registration is coming up Saturday at Manhattan High’s West Campus and the district will require masks for anyone entering the building. Earlier this week, Riley County’s Health Department noted the two week positivity rate for coronavirus is at 8.83 percent.
A mask mandate goes into effect Sunday morning at midnight for all state buildings as the Delta variant of coronavirus continues to drive new cases. Governor Laura Kelly announced the mandate while encouraging residents to get vaccinated Wednesday afternoon. Kelly kept the mandate strictly to state facilities, leaving counties, cities and school districts able to make their own decisions going forward. She also made clear that businesses can also make their own call on whether to mandate masks. While making the call on those facilities, Kelly noted the challenge for school districts with classes set to begin in the next…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson woman was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for a crash that killed one person and injured six others. Viola Rhodes was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in May to one count of involuntary manslaughter while intoxicated and six counts of aggravated battery. Rhodes was driving in December 2020 when her car went off a road and overturned, killing 44-year-old Brian Bookout. In exchange for her plea in May, prosecutors dropped a second-degree murder charge. Two other people in the car were hospitalized and four others were treated for injuries at the scene.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Police say a man involved in a fatal crash in Topeka over the weekend has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence. The Capital-Journal reports that 39-year-old Cesar Carreto Orozco was charged Tuesday in the early Saturday crash that killed a passenger, 37-year-old Erasmo Ramirez Soto of Topeka. Police say Soto was riding in the sport utility vehicle driven by Carreto Orozco when it left the road and struck a business sign. Soto died at the scene. Carreto Orozco was being held in the Shawnee County Jail on $50,000 bond.
Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in 900 block of Vattier St. in Manhattan on July 28, 2021, around 9:52 a.m. Officers listed a 53-year-old female as the victim when it was report an unknown suspect damaged a window and door on a car. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,350. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Officers filed a report for theft…
On Thursday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Pott County ECODEVO Executive Director Jack Allston. The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo was previewed with spokesperson Ruth Nicolaus. K-State College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Ernie Minton also joined the program. In our final segment American Legion Boys State of Kansas Executive Director Tom Wierman previewed the upcoming event in Manhattan Aug. 1 through Aug. 7.
Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs and Ascension Via Christi Hospital President and CEO Bob Copple discussed the latest weekly COVID-19 numbers and the need for more people to get vaccinated.
Four more Riley County residents have died from COVID related complications. Three of the individuals who passed where fully vaccinated and in their 90s. The fourth individual was an 89-year-old female tested positive for COVID-19 back in January, and passed away on June 1st. COVID was a contributing factor, and records indicate she was unvaccinated. Their deaths bring the total number of COVID-related deaths in the county to 49. While there were individuals who were fully vaccinated pass away this past week, they are exceptions according to Health Department Director Julie Gibbs. In Wednesday’s update, Gibbs says the majority of…
The Manhattan City Commission discussed ideas Tuesday for how to improve access to the Plaza West business district. One possibility heavily talked about was that of eliminating the Anderson Ave./Seth Child Rd. overpass and bringing the road to grade with the surrounding area. Mayor Wynn Butler says he does not consider getting rid of the overpass to be an option. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers says whatever approach the city takes, the intersection will eventually need to be addressed. City officials Tuesday also discussed possibilities for future development in the Plaza West business district, with options ranging from shopping and entertainment to…