On Tuesday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism Warden Ben Jedlicka. We also spoke with Tuttle Creek State Park Manager Todd Lovin.
Author: KMAN Staff
Riley County residents voiced their concerns over recent spikes in COVID-19 cases and police killings to the Riley County commission Monday. Asian Market Partner and Commission Candidate Fanny Fang criticized the commission for not wearing masks and the doubling of positive cases over the past week. “This outbreak is such a major public health concern that Fort Riley has banned all of their soldiers, thousands of them, from visiting our Aggieville district, which hurts dozens of our businesses who tried to do the right thing and be a part of the solution during this pandemic,” says Fang. Fang, who is…
After 30 years serving the Manhattan community, Harry’s Restaurants will close its doors for good mid-July. Ownership made the announcement Monday, saying the impact of COVID-19 was too much to sustain. The upscale Downtown-based restaurant will continue to serve guests through July 17, corresponding its closure with its lease expiration. “Harry’s has survived downturns; however, this one proves insurmountable,” Managing Partner Evan Grier says. “The impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty ahead is too much for Harry’s to overcome.” Harry’s was founded in 1990 by Julie Haynes before Evan and Andrea Grier bought the establishment in 2006, though has had…
Junction City police are investigating a suspected murder, according to a Monday press release. A woman was found dead Friday, June 26, in an empty storage unit in the 2300 block of N. Jackson Street. According to JCPD Investigation Cpt. Trish Giordano, foul play is suspected following an autopsy. Police are attempting to identify the woman via fingerprint records. If anyone has information on the case, they are asked to call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (785) 762-8477 or online via the JCPD Facebook page.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced Kansans will be required to wear masks in public places. Kelly made the announcement during a press conference on Monday. Starting Friday at 12:01 a.m., all residents in the state will be required to wear a mask where six feet social distancing cannot be achieved. This includes both indoor and outdoor areas. The mandate is contingent on approval by the State Finance Council per an agreement made during a special legislative session earlier this month. Kelly says wearing masks is not only safe, but necessary to avoid a shutdown. Clusters of outbreaks across the state are…
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Kansas State University wheat geneticist will get nearly $1 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for research designed to improve the genetic diversity of wheat. The Hutchinson News reports the research will focus on studying and cultivating a genetic species of wheat that can withstand drought, heat and viruses. Wheat geneticist and professor of plant pathology Jesse Poland is part of two grants that focus on bringing wild native plants together with wheat to create better seed. Poland estimates that each project might take from six years to more than 10 years.
TOPEKA, Kan. — State wildlife and parks staff are collecting and testing samples from fish carcasses to determine whether a koi herpes virus is behind fish kills in at least two Kansas lakes. Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, staff say they have confirmed die-offs at Pomona Reservoir in Osage County and Hillsdale Reservoir in Miami County. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that common carp are the only species that appear to be affected, leading staff to belief that the koi herpes virus is the cause. The virus has no effect on other species, including humans.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Authorities say a man has been fatally shot in Kansas City, Kansas. Police spokesman Officer Dustin Dierenfeldt said in an email that officers responded around 9:20 p.m. Sunday to the scene. The Kansas City Star reports that a man in his 40s was declared dead at the scene. No suspect was publicly identified as of Monday morning. The investigation is ongoing.
DESOTO, Kan. — Merck Animal Health said it plans to invest $100 million to expand and enhance its manufacturing facility in DeSoto, Kansas. The company is a division of Merck & Co. based in Kenilworth, New Jersey. It announced Monday in a news release that it plans a technology expansion of its vaccine production facility this year plus an additional $66 million investment in the coming years. The site develops vaccines for swine, cattle and horses.
GODDARD, Kan. — Authorities have identified the body of a missing swimmer found in a Kansas lake. The Wichita Eagle reports that Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office spokesman says 29-year-old Zachariah Shepherd of Andover disappeared in the water around 2 a.m. Saturday as he tried to swim across the Lake Afton. Shepherd had been camping at the lake over the weekend.The search began Saturday afternoon at the 258-acre man-made recreational lake in an area of Sedgwick County west of Wichita. His body was found around 1:20 a.m. Sunday.