Author: KMAN Staff
The Flint Hills Veterans Coalition has decided on a parade theme for the 2021 Veteran’s Day Parade. Chuck Sexton, FHVC President, says this year’s parade will honor the 30th anniversary of the start of Desert Storm. Sexton says he, himself, went to Desert Storm, and talks about the importance of honoring those veteran’s this year. “It’s those Desert Storm veterans getting together, as a group, and reminding people, as well as thanking those Vietnam veterans that supported us while we were gone and when we came back,” Sexton says. Melody Sexton, FHVC Publicity Coordinator, adds that the start of the…
Two outgoing Riley County commissioners and the outgoing Register of Deeds were recognized for their years of service on Monday. Commissioners Ron Wells and Marvin Rodriguez will end their terms next week after serving a combined 12 years on the commission. Rodriguez presented Wells with a plaque recognizing his years of service and remembered their time together fondly. “I’ve known [Wells] for a long, long time when I worked for the utility company. You’ve been a great help to me all of those years and you’ve been a great help to me here,” says Rodriguez. Wells thanked Rodriguez for his…
COVID-19 test results Pottawatomie County commissioner Dee McKee expressed frustration Monday over the process of getting COVID-19 test results. She says that despite being tested in Manhattan on Dec. 23, she still has not gotten her results back. “My frustration is, frankly, I’ve been trying to isolate since the 23rd of last month and I have no record of having it, nor do I have any way to know that I’m potentially in trouble,” McKee said. McKee also expressed frustration over how test results are being handled by the state. “The data the state has is certainly not valid,” McKee…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Authorities have identified the victim of a New Year’s Eve shooting in Topeka as a 25-year-old man. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that police said the death of Jesus Noel Soto-Villareal brought the city’s homicide total for 2020 to 25. Police said in a news release that officers were on patrol around 5:40 p.m. Thursday when they heard gunshots. Police were then notified that a man suffering from life-threatening injuries had arrived at a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
WICHITA, Kan. — Inmates at the Sedgwick County Jail now have access to tablet computers they can use for education, entertainment and staying in touch with family. The jail started using the tablets provided by jail communications firm Securus Technologies in November. The devices include a number of free options. The company charges $5 a month for access to premium services like making calls and downloading movies. Securus said the tablets are being used at more than two dozen Kansas jails that it works with. The devices are provided to detention facilities free, and the company makes money off the…
EDWARDSVILLE, Kan. — A Kanas paramedic died of complications related to COVID-19 on New Year’s Day. Edwardsville Fire Chief Tim Whitham said Saturday he was saddened by the death of Jason Taylor who had worked for the department for three years. Earlier in his career, Taylor worked for Bonner Springs and for Franklin County Emergency Medical Services. He had been a paramedic since 1998. Funeral arrangements are pending. Three members of the Kansas City Fire Department have died of COVID-19.
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita officials appeared poised to name the city’s newest library after a Black man who led a sit-in that helped end racial segregation in the city. The Library Board is recommending naming the library after Ronald Walters, who became a national civil rights leader and author. The Wichita Eagle reports the City Council is expected to accept the recommendation on Tuesday. In 1958, Walters organized a sit-in at the Dockum Drug Store in Wichita, which served Blacks only carryout food. After three weeks, the manager relented and began serving the Black customers. The NAACP said it was…
PITTSBURG, Kan. — The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating after a Pittsburg police vehicle struck a pedestrian. The Pittsburg police department says the vehicle struck 23-year-old Marco Dias in a city street Thursday night in Pittsburg. He was taken to Ascension Via Christi Hospital. The hospital said Dias was not listed as a patient at the Pittsburg hospital on Monday. The patrol says the police vehicle was driven by 24-year-old Nicholas Cook. Further details were not released.
On Monday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Flint Hills Veterans Coalition President Chuck Sexton, Publicity Director Melody Sexton, Secretary Christine Benne and Past President Janet Nichols. In our final segment we spoke with Manhattan Parks & Recreation officials including Recreations Supervisor of Aquatics Sydni Baker and Recreation Assistant Molli Maberry.