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.
Author: KMAN Staff
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…
Officers filed a report for unlawful computer acts, theft by deception and forgery in the 2100 block of Meadowlark Rd. in Manhattan on July 27, 2021, around 4:28 p.m. Officers listed Meadowlark Hills Retirement and Kansas State Bank as the victims when it was reported an unknown suspect wrote a fraudulent check in Meadowlark Hills Retirement’s name. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $25,000. 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…
Education was the central theme on Wednesday’s program. First we received an update from USD 384 Blue Valley Schools Superintendent John Cox. We were joined in segment two by USD 378 Riley County Schools Superintendent Cliff Williams. We also heard from USD 475 Geary County Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. Deb Gustafson.
Ascension Via Christi will soon begin requiring all employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The hospital put out a release on Tuesday, stating leadership made the decision due to the emergence of new variants. This includes the hospital in Manhattan and the Wamego Health Center. The timeline for completing the vaccine series and meeting this requirement will be November 12th. This is aligned with Ascension’s annual influenza vaccination requirement and will follow a similar implementation process. In cases when an individual may not be able to get vaccinated due to a medical condition or religious belief, a process will be…
Manko Window Systems will be given the Manahttan Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Cornerstone Award” when the chamber hosts it’s business awards luncheon next week. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Smith tells KMAN the award is the organization’s de facto “Lifetime Achievement Award”. Manko distributes framing and glass products in 28 states and has been in business 32 years. It employs over 400 locally. Smith says there are two businesses being recognized for becoming members of the organization’s Legacy Circle. The Chamber’s awards luncheon is scheduled for 11:30 next Tuesday morning, with the Small Business of the Year, Entrepreneurial…
The former Manhattan Parks and Recreation employee charged with sexual exploitation of a child counts in Pottawatomie County made a brief court appearance Tuesday morning. Zach Bayless made an appearance via Zoom for a status hearing tied to his late May arrest. His next court appearance will be a status update hearing on August 31st. Bayless is accused of feloniously promoting a performance that included sexually explicit conduct of a child under the age of 14 and being in possession of sexually explicit content involving a child. Investigators say the incidents that prompted the charges occurred between December of last…
WICHITA, Kan. — A former Kansas school teacher has been jailed and charged with child sex crimes. The Wichita Eagle reports 48-year-old Shawn Wingfield was arrested Saturday on two counts of sexual exploitation of a child. A Wichita Northwest High School spokeswoman says Wingfield began working there in 1997. He resigned July 19. Wingfield posted on Facebook last week that he was resigning for his personal health and wellbeing. He’s in the Sedgwick County Jail on a $50,000 bond.