LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Lawrence City Commission has approved a campsite in a city park for the homeless, but made clear the move was temporary while community leaders seek other ways to address homelessness. The Journal-World reports that the commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve a 6-month special event permit for a temporary homeless campground at Woody Park. The move comes as the Lawrence Community Shelter recently reduced its capacity from 125 to about 25 people in an effort to maintain social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. The campsite will provide portable trailers, toilets, showers and social services for 20-25…
Author: KMAN Staff
TOPEKA, Kan. — Students are urging Washburn University officials to reconsider their decision to cancel spring break in an effort to minimize COVID-19 transmission. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the Washburn Student Government Association passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the administration to consider an alternative that would add three “mental health days” to the spring calendar. The student leaders said they were blindsided by last week’s announcement that students would go through 15 uninterrupted weeks of classes, with finals week one week earlier between May 1 and 7.
Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 board of education continued to hear from concerned parents on the current model of learning. Parents, as well as a student and staff member, voiced their concerns over the quality of education being given in the hybrid model. Manhattan High School Sophomore Wesley Zika says she is a straight A student and has never had difficulty with school, but the hybrid model has changed that. “Hybrid is not working for me. I began having multiple breakdowns every night and decided to talk to my mom about how much I am truly struggling socially, mentally, and emotionally,” says…
Fort Riley Museum Complex Director Dr. Robert Smith highlighted the ongoing renovations at the museum and spoke about upcoming events in November surrounding Veterans Day. Manhattan Public Library Development and Public Relations Coordinator Madison Ogle highlighted the library current operations status. Keri Haller, a 2nd grade teacher at Central Elementary in Wamego and country musician Jake Gill joined us to highlight the Country Music Teacher Classroom Initiative which Haller has been selected for.
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 2200 block of McDowell Ave in Manhattan on October 7, 2020, at approximately 12:06 pm. Officers listed a 55-year-old male as the victim when it was…
The Manhattan City Commission has amended Charter Ordinance No. 44 to set the purchasing power limit to $50,000. Earlier this year, due to the pandemic, the City Manager’s office saw that spending power increased from $20,000 to $75,000. Commissioner Linda Morse supported the change. “When you get a new accounting system, it seems to me that the, board of directors or a commission needs better financial oversight, it needs to be better. I at the time lobbied for $50,000 and the commission wanted to go to 75 and I agreed to that on the emergency basis, because we didn’t know…
EMPORIA, Kan. — A former contract driver for the U.S. Postal Service is accused of opening and destroying mail containing cash. The U.S. attorney’s office says 23-year-old Dennis Tapscott has been charged with delaying mail. The Emporia Gazette reports that the crime is alleged to have occurred in 2019 and 2020 in Lyon County and other counties.If convicted, he faces up to a year in federal prison and a fine up to $100,000. The U.S. Postal Service Inspection Service investigated.
WICHITA, Kan. — Even as some of the state’s largest districts reopen, most Kansas counties have such a high rate of new coronavirus cases that they have moved into the red zone on a key state benchmark that suggests schools consider putting the brakes on in-person classes and sports. The Wichita Eagle reports that 75 of the state’s 105 counties were in the worst reopening zone for the two week cumulative incident rate, one of five school reopening indicators established by the state. That’s an increase of 10 counties from a week ago. However, individual districts can make their own…
USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade and school board member Katrina Lewison joined In Focus to preview the district’s Wednesday board meeting. Manhattan Fire Department Fire Marshall Jake Powell and Capt. Gregg Van Der Creek also joined us in the latter part of the show to discuss Fire Prevention Week and the dangers of cooking fires.