TOPEKA, Kan. — A Kansas education official says a middle school student has died of COVID-19. No details about the death have been released. The child’s death would be the first reported COVID-19 death of someone aged 10 to 17 in Kansas and only the third reported for someone under 18. Education Commissioner Randy Watson said Wednesday that state health officials told him the child died this week. State health officials said they are investigating the report. Meanwhile, state health officials reported 11 new COVID-19 clusters at schools. Data from the department showed there are now 72 active school outbreaks…
Author: KMAN Staff
WICHITA, Kan. — Former Kansas state Rep. Michael Capps has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts that allege he tried to defraud federal, state and county government organizations out of more than $450,000 in coronavirus relief funding. The Wichita Eagle reports that Capps entered the plea Wednesday via video conference from his lawyer’s office during his arraignment hearing. The Wichita Republican also agreed to surrender his passport while he awaits trial. Federal prosecutors have said Capps filed forms inflating the number of employees he had at two businesses and a sports foundation, and then applied for loans to pay the…
SALINA, Kan. — Salina police say a 27-year-old man is in custody after a body was found in rural Saline County. Salina police say a body of a man in his 40s was found on Tuesday. He has not been publicly identified. The Salina police department says it is requesting a charge of second-degree murder against Manuel Medina-Castro in the man’s death. Police say that Manuel Medina-Castro was arrested Sept. 17 on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and other charges. That arrest came after Medina-Castro and his family members reported that car he had…
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 1200 block of Vattier St. in Manhattan on September 22, 2021, around 11:52 a.m. Officers listed a 21-year-old male as the victim when it was reported…
On Thursday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with K-State Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy Director Dr. Tim Shaffer. Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director Robbin Cole also joined the program.
Manhattan City Commissioners signed off Tuesday night on a change order that will add 500-thousand dollars to the total paid for construction of the new parking garage in Aggieville. A fire suppression system is mandated for buildings four stories or taller, according to Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers. Hilgers told commissioners Tuesday night that it was an “unforced error” by city staff. But, commissioner Mark Hatesohl was critical of the late change The 450 spot garage is scheduled to open next spring, having cost more than 14 million dollars to build.
The Riley County Law Board has approved letters requesting the city of Manhattan and Riley County provide funding through American Rescue Plan Act grants that they’ll be receiving from the federal government. The funding would provide for a two-percent employee pay adjustment for the remainder of the year, cover Emergency Leave for COVID from 2020 that hasn’t been reimbursed, the purchase of a digital citiation system for use on patrol and to buy a truck for the Hazardous Evidence Response Team’s use. Captain Josh Kyle told the board the request was built around one-time funding items. Board member and Riley…
September 22nd, the mark of this years autumnal equinox, and for many, a reason to pull out their fall decorations as they cool down from the summer and wave off the appearance of the cold, snowy days of winter. Mary Knapp, K-State Research and Extension, says the autumnal equinox marks the official start of autumn, and many believe it is the day that both the night and day are equal in length- twelve hours. “The equinox is considered to be the day on which the geometric center of the sun is directly over the equator and stays above the horizon…
It may have been on the consent agenda, but the city’s 2022 budget passed the Manhattan City Commission by the barest of margins Tuesday night. With a property tax increase of three-point-499 mills facing residents, commissioner Mark Hatesohl opened the discussion by saying he was voting no on the budget after agreeing to the increase previously. Mayor Wynn Butler concurred, making clear he doesn’t think enough line-by-line work was done in preparing the budget. Commissioners Aaron Estabrook, Usha Reddi and Linda Morse were the three votes to carry the measure that will raise property taxes by three-point-499 mills for next…