LIBERTY, Mo. — New data released by Kansas health officials shows meatpacking plants continue to report the most active clusters of COVID-19 cases. State health officials for the first time released data on Wednesday that identified specific active clusters throughout the state. Gov. Laura Kelly has said the information would help the public be better informed about where the virus is spreading. Leaders of several large business organizations had urged the governor not to release the data, saying it could hurt businesses trying to recover from the pandemic. Seven active clusters were identified at meatpacking plants, with 2,159 cases leading…
Author: KMAN Staff
ABILENE, Kan. — Authorities have identified a 7-year-old Kansas girl fatally hit by a car while she crossed a street to board her school bus. Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman says Cecilia Graf, a first-grader at St. Andrew’s Catholic School in Abilene, was hit by a car Wednesday morning. Hoffman says the bus was stopped with its flashing red lights on when a car driven by a 15-year-old high school student hit the girl, who died at an Abilene hospital. No charges or citations had been announced in the case by Thursday morning.
A Manhattan man is facing charges of sexually abusing a minor. Riley County Police Wednesday arrested 67-year-old Alan Ingwersen in connection to the three counts of rape, six counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and 10 counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Police say the victim in the case was a 15-year-old girl. Ingwersen was jailed Wednesday but posted the $250,000 bond and is no longer confined. Due to the nature of the crime, RCPD is not releasing any further details.
Col. Will McKannay (official US Army photo) A new garrison commander has settled into his role at Fort Riley. Colonel McKannay, Garrison Commander at Fort Riley, took over the role in July. McKannay has been serving in the military for over 25 years, although never stationed at Fort Riley. McKannay tells KMAN that the Flint Hills area has brought back some memories. “Myself, I have never been stationed at Fort Riley before, but I grew up out west, son of a marine. I lived in similar, I guess, type areas throughout my youth, so it really, in a way felt…
It has been 19 years since one of the most tragic days in American History, 9/11. Fort Riley is holding an event to remember those fallen during the tragedy. Colonel Will McKannay, Fort Riley Garrison Commander, says that the annual 9/11 memorial will still take place on Friday at 10 A.M. The event will stream live over the Fort Riley Facebook page. McKannay talks about the day of the attack for him, and the importance of the commemoration. “My wife was also in the service at that time. Pretty much both of us knew at that time that the rest…
Facing $1.5 million in revenue shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic, Manhattan city commissioners Tuesday listened to Parks and Recreation officials who are seeking greater autonomy regarding program fees. Parks and Rec Department Director Eddie Eastes specifically was interested in the commission’s ideas regarding Sunset Zoo, Flint Hills Discovery Center and the Rec program catalog. “I really think we need to adjust the language in these resolutions so that there’s more consistency and a better understanding of how fees are set,” he said. Commissioner Linda Morse and Mayor Usha Reddi raised concerns regarding the 110% cost recovery of these programs…
Appeal No. 119,529: State of Kansas v. Luis Antonio Aguirre The Kansas Supreme Court will hear an appeal stemming from a Riley County jury’s conviction of an Ogden man convicted of premeditated first-degree murder and manslaughter in 2012. The appeal is part of the Kansas Supreme Court’s Sept. 14-18, 2020, docket, which can viewed live on the Supreme Court’s Youtube channel. In June 2012, Luis Antonio Aguirre, who lived in Ogden from February to October of 2009, was convicted by a Riley County jury of capital murder in connection to the discovery of two bodies found buried together near Ogden…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Education Deputy Commissioner Dale Dennis is retiring after a 53-year-career with the department. The agency announced Tuesday that Dennis will retire effective Sept. 30. He joined the education department in 1967, was named deputy commissioner in 1976 and has been interim commissioner of education four times since July 1995. As deputy commissioner of fiscal and administrative services, Dennis supervises the distribution of about $5 billion in state and federal funds to schools. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly praised Dennis as a “relentless advocate” for Kansas schools. Craig Neuenswander, who is director of school finance, will take over…
TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka Police Chief Bill Cochran has revealed he’ll retire at the end of the year. The Capital-Journal reports that Cochran’s retirement, effective Jan. 1, was announced Tuesday at a City Council meeting. Cochran, who turns 56 in November, has been a Topeka police officer since 1987. He was appointed by city manager Brent Trout as interim police chief in November 2017, then as police chief in January 2018. Cochran says he and his wife recently became grandparents and that, “It’s time to be a grandpa.” City officials on Tuesday praised Cochran’s efforts to defuse tensions and reach…