A former Manhattan City commissioner and Mayor has filed to be a candidate for the Riley County commission 2020 election. John Matta filed for the District 3 seat, currently held by incumbent Commissioner Ron Wells, on Tuesday. He says since he has recently retired, he wants to get back into public service. Some of the things Matta wants to focus on include getting the county more involved with development efforts specifically rural areas, and the declining enrollment at Kansas State University. “Right now we’re hitting some bumps in the road with the enrollment dropping consistently since 2014,” says Matta, “The…
Author: KMAN Staff
The Riley County Health Department has been continuing its accreditation process with a new director in placer. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs has now been in her new role for over a month. She made her first appearance on KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday. While there has been so much effort going into this accreditation process, Gibbs explains what it will ultimately mean for the department moving forward. Gibbs says since the health department aims to serve as the public health resource for the community and notes that this accreditation process validates that mission. Once accreditation status is met, the health…
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas farmers and ranchers who are stressed over finances or emotional issues have a new place to turn for help. The Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with several other partners, is now providing a website that offers farmers, ranchers and their families resources and support. The department announced the website, kansasagstress.org, on Tuesday. The site offers several topics, including the Kansas Suicide Prevention Line and the Crisis Text Line. The site comes during a time when the suicide rate for farmers and ranches is climbing across the nation.
WICHITA, Kan. — Wichita police say a 32-year-old man was killed and another man critically injured during a confrontation that could be drug related. KAKE-TV reports officers found both men critically injured at a home in Wichita just after midnight Wednesday. Capt. Brent Allred says a 32-year-old man later died. Investigators believe the man shot through the home’s door, hitting the 35-year-old resident. When the younger man forced his way inside, the resident grabbed a gun and fired several shots.
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita school board member who quit after a vote to expand protections for LGBTQ students and staff has rescinded his resignation. Vice President Mike Rodee brought up concerns about potential litigation in voting against a statement that said the district would not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. After it was passed 5-2 Monday night, Rodee announced his resignation from the board. He then submitted a statement Tuesday afternoon in which he asked board members to continue to consider him an active member of the board. He also said that he remained “committed to…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The American Royal plans to begin construction on its new complex in Kansas City, Kansas, next year. Royal officials announced Tuesday the organization has acquired 115 acres in Wyandotte County near the Kansas Speedway. The organization’s headquarters has been in Kansas City, Missouri, since 1899. The estimated price of the new complex will be between $220 million and $250 million. About $80 million of that will come from Kansas sales tax revenue bonds, with the rest through private fundraising. An organization official says construction is expected to begin next summer, with significant work completed by December…
Wednesday’s guests on In Focus included Rock Creek USD 323 Superintendent Kevin Logan and Wamego USD 320 Superintendent Tim Winter. Manhattan Fire Department Assistant Chief Ryan Courtright, Building Official Daryl Emery, and Pottawatomie County Assistant Planning and Zoning Officer Stephen Metzger.
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 indecent liberties with a child in Manhattan on December 10, 2019. Officers listed a 15-year-old male as the victim and a 22-year-old female known to him as the…
Faith Herrman, the 3-year-old daughter of Allison and Eric Herrman who has spina bifida, and Avery Pozarek, the 6-year-old son of Lindsey and Sean Pozarek who has cerebral palsy, are the proud new owners of Amtrykes, courtesy of the Noon Network AMBUCS organization out of Salina. While the two kids sped around inside the fire station located on Denison Ave. on their shiny-new trikes that are designed specifically for people with physical disabilities, parents and members of AMBUCS gathered to watch the joyous moment. “It was just a really neat experience,” Allison Herrman, the mother of Faith Herrman, said, as…
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which is put on in part by the K-State Riley County Extension Office, will be entering its 15th year in existence in 2020. With tax season just around the corner, this is a program that may just be worth taking advantage of for those who are eligible. Through VITA, individuals or households making $56,000 or less per year are eligible to have both state and federal income taxes prepared and filed free-of-charge at the Manhattan Public Library. In addition, taxes on income earned by military personnel while serving overseas is not eligible to be…