TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas on Friday launched a new program to provide short-term, no-interest loans to bars, restaurants, taverns and motels struggling to cover operating expenses because of the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic. The program announced by Gov. Laura Kelly and state Commerce Secretary David Toland will make up to $5 million in loans, though Toland said the amount could grow larger. The program will supplement federal Small Business Administration loans that Kansas expects to become available within days. Kelly had a Statehouse news conference with Toland, other state officials and representatives of business groups to acknowledge the…
Author: KMAN Staff
OSKALOOSA, Kan. — A Baldwin City woman has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the 2018 shooting death of her mother’s boyfriend. Jefferson County Attorney Josh Ney announced Wednesday that Ashlyn Hemmerling was sentenced after pleading guilty to first-degree murder last year in the March 2018 shooting death of 22-year-old Taylor Dean Sawyer, of Lawrence, in a remote area of Perry Lake. Her boyfriend, 23-year-old Jonathan Blevins, was sentenced last year to life in prison with no chance of a parole for 50 years. Authorities said previously Hemmerling helped plan the shooting, which likely involved a…
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 2100 block of Westchester Drive in Manhattan on March 20, 2020, at approximately 9:20 AM. Officers listed a 45-year-old man as the victim when he reported…
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Johnson County Community College has hired a new president. The college’s board on Thursday hired Andrew Bowne, who is currently is senior vice president of Indiana’s 18-campus community college system. Bowne will become president in July. The Kansas City Star reports the college’s Board of Trustees met remotely and only two people were in the room when Bowne’s hiring was announced because of concerns about the coronavirus. Like nearly all colleges in Kansas, Johnson County Community College will move to online-only classes when school resumes after spring break. County health officials announced last week a woman…
Friday’s In Focus included an update on COVID-19 from Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs and Ascension Via Christi Hospital President Bob Copple. Riley County Seniors’ Service Center Director Jami Ramsey provided us an update on their latest adjustments due to the pandemic. Riley County K-State Research and Extension Director Gary Fike, Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Megan Dougherty and 4H Agent John Jobe joined us with some financial advice, things people can do at home and youth services available remotely. T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter Volunteer Coordinator Hanna Shoemaker discussed hourly adjustments and how the animal shelter is…
By John Hanna, Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators on Thursday approved a new, 10-year transportation program that many lawmakers see as a much-needed, $10 billion stimulus to counter the economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican-controlled Legislature made funding highway, road and bridge improvements a priority as it tackled measures for addressing the new coronavirus and finished a $19.9 billion annual budget to keep state government operating after June. Lawmakers finished what they considered their most pressing work before an early and unusually long spring break. The transportation legislation was approved 112-3 in the House and 37-2 in the Senate. Democratic Gov.…
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 responded to the report of an injury crash near the 1800 block of McDowell Creek Road in Manhattan on March 18, 2020, at approximately 8:25 AM. When officers arrived on scene they found…
TOPEKA (AP)- Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson says state standardized tests will be cancelled this year because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Watson told reporters Thursday that tests are off unless something changes “dramatically” in Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order temporarily shuttering school buildings. Her order includes exceptions for groups of 10 people or less. Meanwhile, Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and three city council members are self-quarantined after learning that two people at a conference they attended last week tested positive for COVID-19. Latest update for positive COVID-19 cases in the state shows 34 positive tests.
Riley County commissioners made the decision today to continue to hold their weekly meetings. Meetings will take place on Monday and Thursday as usual at their designated times. The meetings will be open to the public but limited capacity. Half of the chairs will be removed to coincide with social distancing standards set up by the CDC. All doors to the building will remained locked with employees stationed at the door during meeting times. They will ask anyone wanting to enter the building what they are there for. Commissioners John Ford wanted to keep the two meeting structure intact since…