The American Red Cross surpassed its goal by 19 pints at the Manhattan Community Blood Drive Tuesday. The blood drive took place over two days at Pottorf Hall in Cico Park and brought in much needed donations during a time when the COVID-19 pandemic is causing thousands of drives across the country to be canceled. Daryl Strouts, a Manhattan resident, participated in drive and gave his 100th blood donation. The American Red Cross is currently putting on another drive for those who would still like to donate blood. It is taking place today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. til 4:30…
Author: KMAN Staff
Bid-opening delay Due to increasing inspection costs and construction worker wage rates, the Pottawatomie County Commission decided to delay the bid opening for the US-24 Highway and Green Valley Rd. intersection improvement project by three weeks during their meeting Monday. Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he is considering abandoning the project all together. Public Works Director Peter Clark believes doing so or even delaying the project for too long could jeopardize the county’s ability to access Kansas Department of Transportation funds in the future as it can reflect poorly on the ability of state workers to get things done. On the…
Several airlines have been cancelling flights due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact is reaching Manhattan Regional Airport. Director Jesse Romo says they are learning about the situation with airlines and COVID-19 at the same time as the public. He and his staff are having to constantly check with the airlines on a day to day basis. “This isn’t a typical schedule change, where the airlines would come out with advanced warning. This is something very critical for the entire industry,” says Romo,” Airplanes are flying around without any passengers in them.” On Tuesday, most of the American Eagle…
TOPEKA (AP)- Shelter-in-place orders are about to take effect for about a third of Kansas’ population to slow the spread of coronavirus. Gov. Laura Kelly also announced Monday that she will tighten restrictions on public gatherings. Five counties with about 1 million of the state’s 2.9 million residents are telling residents to stay at home starting Tuesday, except for essential business such as buying food or seeking medical care. They include Johnson County, the state’s most populous county, three others in or near the Kansas City area, and Douglas County, home to the University of Kansas. Kelly said she’ll ban…
WICHITA, (AP)- Aircraft parts maker Spirit Aerosystems announced Tuesday that it was temporarily halting work for Boeing. This is for operations performed in Wichita and two Oklahoma facilities amid an outbreak of the coronavirus. The move came after Boeing announced Monday that it was suspending operations at its Seattle area facilities. At least 110 people have died from COVID-19 in Washington state, mostly in the Seattle area. Boeing employs about 70,000 people in the region. The company said 32 employees have tested positive for the virus, including 25 in the greater Seattle area.
Tuesday’s program featured a public health update from Pottawatomie County Health Department Director Lisa Kenworthy, RN Liz Parthemer and also from Emergency Management Director Jennifer Merrow.
Ascension Via Christi hospital has received unused protective clothing equipment from donating closed businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. President of Ascension Via Christi Robert Copple says that “the generosity and supportive nature of those who live in our community is amazing”. However the following items are still needed by the hospital isolation gowns, n95 and ear loop masks, hand sanitizer, face shields and goggles, surface disinfectant, powered and controlled air purifying respirators, and non sterile box gloves. To donate items call Executive Director of the Wamego hospital foundation Tina Rockhold at 785-458-7380 or 785-587-5462.
Release from the Riley County Health Department and City of Manhattan. This afternoon the Riley County Health Department launched a drive-thru swabbing station in partnership with Konza Prairie Community Health Center. The station will provide COVID-19 testing for pre-screened patients only. Testing will be available to people who have written orders sent to the Riley County Health Department from a health-care provider. “The swabbing station is being established to provide an additional resource for the community. The goal is to streamline the testing processes and promote a more efficient use of the personal protective equipment (PPE) available in the area,”…
Release from Office of the Governor of Kansas. Governor Laura Kelly signed today executive orders #20-10, #20-11, #20-12, and #20-13, as part of her administration’s comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The safety and well-being of Kansans is my top priority,” Kelly said. “During these trying times we need essential services to continue to function to secure our public safety and health. We also need some leniency when it comes to deadlines. These executive orders are necessary steps to help Kansas families during this crisis.” #20-10 Kelly rescinded Executive Order #20-06 and replaced it with Executive Order #20-10, which temporarily…