Potential changes to the Fleet Maintenance Facility design The Pottawatomie County Commission discussed a potential change to the public works Fleet Maintenance Facility design during a meeting Monday. The change would involve lowering the grade and elevation of the facility’s base from what was recommended in the original design to what county public works employees are wanting. “The slopes around will now be flatter,” Peter Clark, the Public Works director, said. “So as we drive our vehicles in and out, we’ll be able to maneuver more easily in and out of the building. And it’ll require less dirt for the…
Author: KMAN Staff
Riley County Commission Chair Marvin Rodriguez joined us Tuesday for the hour.
Wonder Workshop Founder Richard Pitts passed Monday morning after a decade long fight with cancer. Pitts, a New Jersey native, came to Manhattan to study history at K-State. He began to develop a children’s educational program concept and created the Wonder Workshop back in 1995. The museum carries out exhibits and programs to teach about the arts, sciences, and humanities. Pitts was also credited for researching, studying, and writing about the Underground Railroad experience in Kansas — particularly in Riley and nearby counties. He authored two books on the subject and was the featured historian and narrator in a documentary of the stories…
Riley County commissioners approved the purchase of the First Christian Church property in the courthouse plaza during their meeting Monday. Commissioners brought up the purchase last meeting, but put it on hold due to a non-unanimous vote. They want to use the property for additional office space due to expansions to the courthouse. During this meeting, Commissioner Ron Wells says the commission has been working on securing this property since about 2007. “If you can imagine how short sighted it would have been if our forefathers would have built a 10 room shack over here instead of the courthouse. This…
Pottawatomie County will receive up to about $21,000 in federal aid to help prepare for the primary and general elections this year. These funds come from about $2.6 million being given to county voting officials in Kansas and will go towards temporary help, publications and getting out information about in-person and mail-in voting. Kansas is also spending about $1 million on protective equipment to be used during this year’s elections. Pottawatomie County will receive one safety kit for each of its seven polling sites with supplies meant to protect workers and voters from contracting the coronavirus during both the primary…
A recent survey of major Manhattan area employers finds a huge drop in consumer confidence to be the top concern as the coronavirus pandemic continues. Some 55 survey responses submitted by the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership were received from those employers in Riley and Pottawatomie counties. They represent over 7,600 jobs in the Manhattan area, averaging 115 full-time and 42 part-time employees. Also of concern was the financial impact on operations and/or liquidity and capital. In addition, concerns were raised that a recession may be imminent as well as the status of Kansas State University and the long-term enrollment at…
Segments 1 & 2: K-State College of Veterinary Medicine clinical professor Dr. Sue Nelson shared some spring health tips for cats and dogs, including fleas and ticks, tularemia, chiggers and heat-related illnesses. Segment 3: USD 383’s summer STEM program was previewed with Teaching and Learning Executive Director Dr. Paula Hough and STEM administrators including Woodrow Wilson Elementary Principal Dr. Deb Nauerth and Marlatt Elementary Principal Sheila Stephens. Segment 4: American Red Cross account manager Kristi Ingalls previewed some upcoming blood drives in Manhattan and Junction City.
Update 10:30 a.m. Monday Junction City Police have identified the person who died Saturday following a seven-hour standoff. Captain Trish Giordano says 39-year-old Damien Paul St. Julien died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers had been attempting to arrest him on a felony warrant out of Douglas County. St. Julien was initially located in his vehicle and asked to exit the vehicle, but then brandished a handgun and fled to a home on West Third Street, where officers established a perimeter. JCPD were assisted at the scene by Geary County Sheriff’s deputies, Riley County Police and the Kansas Bureau of…
Fort Riley museums and the 1st Division celebrated the 75th anniversary of the victory of Europe during World War II, or VE Day on Friday. Fort Riley Museums Dr. Robert Smith showed KMAN some of the museums artifacts that involved the 1st Division during the war. Over 43,000 soldiers served in the Big Red One during WWII, with over 4,000 of those who were killed. Of those who served in the division, there were 17 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, 161 Distinguished Service Crosses, and over 21,000 Purple Hearts. The 1st Division commander at the time was Major…