The Pottawatomie County Commission unanimously approved the rezoning of a 79-acre tract of land from Agriculture to Agriculture Residential Monday, but not without some opposition. The zoning change will allow the entity applying for the rezoning to develop houses at a higher density. The tract of land discussed is located about 3.5 miles north of Hwy 24 and Flush Road. Celia Bessin, a Pottawatomie County resident, says people who live on this land in the future may not be able to handle living next to agricultural areas. Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he believes what the applicant does with their land…
Author: KMAN Staff
MISSION, Kan. — Kansas has reported its first death in a prison coronavirus outbreak and saw the number of positive cases in six meatpacking plants rise to 378 as the state works to reopen its economy. But Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s health director, said the good news was that the number of influenza-like illnesses reported in the state was “dropping like a rock.” He also noted that most of the infected meat packing workers were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. None have died and at most one is hospitalized.
NICKERSON, Kan. — In the heart of Kansas and tornado country, officials in the town of Nickerson say they’re facing the danger of an unreliable tornado siren system. Newly-elected Nickerson Mayor Peggy Ruebke tells Wichita station KSN that the sirens didn’t sound when the town last had a tornado threat last year. Ruebke says the county volunteer fire department is in charge of sounding the sirens in town and that they have had some problems and malfunctions with the system. Fixing or replacing the aging siren system could cost thousands of dollars. Ruebke says the city plans to address the…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas has recorded four more coronavirus deaths as Gov. Laura Kelly prepares to make an announcement on how to lift the state’s stay-at-home order. The latest deaths reported Tuesday brought the total to 124. State health officials also reported that he number of positive cases increased by 163 to 3,491. Only 29 of the state’s 105 counties haven’t recorded a case. The actual number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested and studies suggest that people can be infected without feeling sick.
Riley County commissioners were presented a restructuring plan for the county’s fire district. Current fire chief and emergency management director Pat Collins will be retiring at the end of the year. The restructuring plan includes hiring a new fire chief, and two part time positions. HR Manager Cindy Volanti says the new positions will include a part time codes inspector and a radio engineer. The proposed fire chief change is to have the position and the emergency management position split up. Since Collins currently holds both positions, he wants the two positions to be separate going forward. “Realistically , we…
Riley County clerk’s office is taking additional measures this election year due to coronavirus. County Clerk Rich Vargo says they expect fewer polling places due to fewer volunteers this year. So far, 51 of their 190 volunteers have said they will not be helping this year due to coronavirus concerns. He doesn’t anticipate that number to get any lower, but is optimistic some may change their mind. Vargo says the changes they are making are to ensure the highest possible turnout rate of voters. The office will be sending out mail ballot applications for both the primary and general elections. …
Tuesday’s In Focus had Pottawatomie County Health Departmen PIO Crystal Malchose and Health Department Director Lisa Kenworthy with their COVID-19 updates. We also had some banter with Brandon and Dave for the last segment.
BELLE PLAINE, Kan. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says she has reached a deal that could resolve a legal challenge to her order banning religious gatherings of more than 10 people to help slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Kelly said in a news release late Saturday that under the agreement, the two churches that challenged her order agreed to extend a judge’s temporary restraining order preventing enforcement of Kelly’s ban. The churches, meanwhile, agreed to continue complying with social-distancing guidelines, including making sure worshippers keep a safe distance from one another. The Democratic governor is finalizing plans to…