Ascension Via Christi has updated its visitor guidelines to guard against coronavirus outbreaks developing. President Bob Copple tells KMAN that while the guidelines are changing, there are still some things to be aware of for those visiting the hospital. The hospital will now allow patients in the 3rd floor unit to be able swap out which two visitors are allowed in each day, rather than designating just two for the length of their stay. ER patients and those getting outpatient surgery will now be allowed two visitors. Other limits remain in place, including the two support people limit for women…
Author: KMAN Staff
On Friday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Ascension Via Christi President and CEO Bob Copple. We also spoke with Melody and Chuck Sexton of the Flint Hills Veterans’ Coalition and “Vets On The Net”.
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 aggravated battery and assault in the 1200 block of Yuma St. in Manhattan on June 10, 2021, at approximately 7:04 a.m. Officers listed 52- and 74-year old males as…
OLATHE, Kan. — Construction of the 119th Street bridge in Olathe is on hold after drivers reported debris one described it as “baseball size” fell onto Interstate 35. The Kansas City Star reported Thursday that dozens of people took to social media to say they saw concrete and other debris falling onto the highway as they passed under bridge that closed June 1 for demolition. City spokesman Cody Kennedy says officials have learned of four reports of minor damage to vehicles, prompting a pause to bridge construction. The city says work over I-35 will not resume until measures are taken…
MISSION, Kan. — Six people are recovering after a chemical spill inside a Johnson County veterinary clinic sent them to the hospital. The Kansas City Star reports that a gallon of formaldehyde spilled Wednesday inside the Mission Veterinary Emergency & Specialty clinic. Arriving firefighters learned that while the spill had been cleaned up, several people who had interacted with the chemicals were ill. The Overland Park Fire Department hazmat team was called in, and the building was evacuated. Six people were treated at hospitals and released. Firefighters used fans to ventilate the building, and employees were allowed back in hours…
WICHITA, Kan. — A former Wichita teacher and city council candidate has pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a student. Rodney Wren pleaded guilty Wednesday to one of three counts of unlawful sexual relations. He admitted having sex with an underage girl in 2015 and 2016 while he worked at Wichita Collegiate School. He was fired from the school when he was arrested in February 2020. Wren was a longtime teacher and debate coach at Wichita Collegiate. He ran unsuccessfully for the District 2 Wichita City Council seat in 2019. His attorney said Wren’s actions were wrong, but…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Two Topeka men have been honored for rescuing a woman from a burning home. KSNT-TV reports that the Topeka Fire Department on Thursday gave “citizen heroism awards” to Robert Havens and Mark Elder. The fire broke out at the woman’s home in March. Fire Chief Craig Duke says that if the men hadn’t acted, the results would have been “disastrous.” The homeowner was treated at a hospital. Duke says she is doing much better.
Staffing shortages, noncompetitive salaries and unreliable revenue sources Staffing shortages and noncompetitive salaries were among the top issues discussed during the Manhattan City Commission’s 2022 budget work session Tuesday. Department heads spoke about the difficulty of competing with the private sector and other municipalities while attempting to retain employees and fill open positions. Public Works director Robert Ott provided an example of this happening with a water treatment plant operator. City attorney Katie Jackson claims her department has recently experienced similar issues. She also says the number of employees in her office has not increased since she began working there…
Former Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Trent Armbrust has been named to lead the newly created Office of Innovation in the Kansas Department of Commerce. Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland made the announcement Wednesday, shifting Armbrust from his previous post of Director of Strategy for Bioscience and Technology in the department. Before taking that role with the Department of Commerce, he spent seven years leading the Manhattan chamber’s economic development efforts. “Trent possesses a broad knowledge of innovation in our economy, which along with his practical experience as an economic development professional make him the perfect…
Governor Laura Kelly announced Wednesday amounts of additional federal coronavirus funding smaller communities in the state will be receiving. The monies were to be directed to communities under 50-thousand in population. The relief, which comes from The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), supplies $1.9 trillion for economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic. Riley County Riley $ 144,424.69 Leonardville $ 65,385.55 Ogden $ 297,041.53 Randolph $ 23,666.23 $ 530,518.00 Geary County Junction City $ 3,258,961.30 Grandview Plaza $ 231,807.69 Milford $ 77,522.08 $ 3,568,291.07 Pottawatomie County Belvue $ 30,341.32 Emmett $ 28,217.43 Havensville $ 23,514.52 Louisville $ 34,133.99 Olsburg…