Despite the ongoing pandemic, the American Red Cross is continuing to put on blood drives and is doing so with extra caution. American Red Cross account manager Kristi Ingalls says one step being taken to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is the taking of blood-donor temperatures. She says the Red Cross has also started cleaning equipment between each donation and is requiring anyone present to where a mask. According to Ingalls, any food and drinks served at blood drives will be prepackaged. Here is a list of local upcoming blood drives: Junction City Community Blood Drive May 20 – 11:30 to 6:00…
Author: KMAN Staff
Release from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added one state to the quarantine list: Maryland, and removed two states from the list: Colorado and Louisiana. This includes removal of the specific Colorado counties listed previously. This is effective for persons returning today, May 12, and moving forward. A comprehensive list of those individuals in Kansas needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have: Traveled to: • Maryland on or after May 12. • Massachusetts and Rhode Island on or after April 30. • Connecticut on…
Release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced today that one staff member at the Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) died on Monday, May 11, due to complications from COVID-19. This is the first staff member death related to the virus. The staff member was a male over the age of 60 with more than 30 years of dedication to KDOC. He served in various roles throughout his tenure, most recently as a Corrections Supervisor I. “Our staff put themselves on the frontlines every day, but especially during this pandemic,” Zmuda…
Release from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced today that Kansas has received more than $6.7 million in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide supportive services, meals, caregiver support services and long-term care ombudsman services for older adults. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law March 27, 2020, provided additional funding to states, territories and tribes for the various programs authorized by the Older Americans…
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…
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…