Several health care workers in Riley County rolled up their sleeves to receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. On Monday, the health department received its first shipment of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and on Tuesday they started to administer the vaccine to local health care workers. Julie Gibbs, Health Department Director says they are thankful for this day and tells KMAN who was part of the group that received the vaccine. “We have approximately 200 doses that we’re able to give to our first line health care providers,” Gibbs says. “So we’re looking at EMS, first line health…
Author: KMAN Staff
Belvue Bridge Pottawatomie County commissioners agreed Monday to pursue a grant in conjunction with Wabaunsee County that could potentially cover the entire cost of the Belvue Bridge project. If awarded, the grant could pay for about $11 million in improvements to extend the life of the bridge by about 100 years. However, if the two counties do not get the grant, they will stick with the originally agreed upon $7.5 million project with Pottawatomie County paying for 83 percent and Wabaunsee County covering the rest. Commissioner Pat Weixelman voted in favor of the grant but expressed frustration with the change in plans.…
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 200 block of S. 6th St. in Manhattan on December 21, 2020, at approximately 8:18 a.m. Officers listed a 58-year-old female as the victim when it…
WICHITA, Kan. — A bank robbery suspect died after being chased by police in Kansas, but authorities didn’t say whether he was shot by officers or died as a result of a crash. The robbery happened just before 4 p.m. Monday at Golden Plains Credit Union in Wichita. The suspect took an undisclosed amount of cash and drove away in a stolen pickup truck. Police chased him and the suspect crashed into two police vehicles and two other vehicles. At least one officer fired shots, but authorities have not said whether the suspect was struck. He was pronounced dead at…
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — A 45-year-old woman from Ulysses is dead after a crash involving a semi near Garden City. The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that Monica D. Walker died in the accident Monday night on U.S. 50 about nine miles east of Garden City. The patrol report says an eastbound semi crossed the center line and struck Walker’s Lincoln MKZ. The driver of the semi was not injured. An investigation continues.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is ending operation of a special drug-focused unit, calling its structure outdated as the department moves away from focusing on “low-level users.” Sheriff’s office spokesman Jenn Hethcoat told the Lawrence Journal-World that the decision to dissolve the unit that works with Lawrence police was finalized in November. Hethcoat says the office will continue to operate a special investigative unit but with a focus on crimes related to drug activity, “not low-level users who would benefit more directly from behavioral health support than incarceration.” The county’s new sheriff, Jay Armbrister, takes office Jan.…
Pottawatomie County Commissioner Pat Weixelman joined us for a discussion on county matters and looked ahead to 2021 priorities. Kansas State Sen. Tom Hawk joined us for a 2021 legislative preview. State lawmakers convene the new session in Topeka on Jan. 11.
OMAHA, Neb. — Four Midwestern universities have formed a space-oriented academic and research alliance aimed at luring the U.S. Space Command headquarters to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The Omaha World-Herald reports that University of Nebraska President Ted Carter says the partnership with the University of North Dakota, Kansas State University and Purdue would develop new degree programs and research initiatives. Offutt is among the six finalists to become the headquarters. Other finalists are Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, Patrick Air Force Base in Florida, Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado, Redstone Army Airfield in Alabama and…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — A legally blind artist from the Kansas City area whose work generated millions of dollars in charity has died. The Kansas City Star reports that Jeff Hanson of Overland Park, Kansas, was 27 when he died Sunday. He had been diagnosed with a new brain tumor associated with neurofibromatosis in October. Hanson found art after he lost most of his vision in 2005 because of a tumor on his optic nerve. He began painting at age 12 while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. Hanson sold paintings to Elton John, Billy Joel, Warren Buffett and others, generating proceeds…