TOPEKA — A fired Kansas prison dental instructor accused of sexual misconduct claims the charges aren’t valid because state law cites consensual touching and he is accused of nonconsensual touching. Tomas Co is charged with five felony counts of unlawful sexual relations. The crime is defined as “engaging in consensual sexual intercourse, lewd fondling or touching or sodomy” between a corrections employee and an offender. The Kansas City Star reports that Co’s attorney, Christopher Joseph, argues in a brief that the charges don’t fit the statute’s definition because witnesses testified that the incidents weren’t consensual. Joseph adds that he believed…
Author: KMAN Staff
Officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property in the 500 block of Griffith Drive in Manhattan on July 24, 2019, at approximately 7:00 AM. Officers listed a 69-year-old male and the city of Manhattan as the victims when it was reported an unknown suspect damaged a snack bar and money was taken at the pool. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $972.00. Police ask that anyone with information please contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you…
Residents in Riley, Leonardville and surrounding areas of Riley County in the USD378 school district boundaries could see a $15 million school bond issue on this upcoming November ballot. The Riley County Schools Board of Education passed a bond resolution at its most recent meeting, with the next step to get the question on this upcoming ballot being a meeting in August with the Kansas Board of Education for approval. Superintendent Cliff Williams told KMAN on Wednesday’s In Focus that the intent of the bond is to provide funds for maintenance and capital improvements at its two buildings. The district…
The Manhattan City Commission is sending their proposed 2020 budget to publication featuring a .406 mill increase, though commissioners are pushing to see what further decreases would look like at the August 6 public hearing. By statute, published budgets can be reduced further, but not raised. The total property tax increase is currently $757,000, though the mill levy increase only accounts for $238,000 of that — the rest is due to increases in property valuation and new revenue from new development. With no increase in property valuation, owners of homes valued at $200,000 would see a $10 annual property tax…
Riley County EMS, Riley County Police Department, and Manhattan Fire duked it out to get the most votes for the Battle of the Badges blood drive on Monday and Tuesday. Wrapping up the competition at St Thomas Moore Catholic Church, the three departments brought in people to donate 284 pints of blood, only four pints short of their goal of 288. However, that blood could still go on to save the lives of up to 852 people here in Riley County. Each pint of blood donated can help up to three patients. RCPD Assistant Director Kurt Moldrup says this a…
TOPEKA — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says agents have opened 74 investigations in 33 counties into alleged sexual abuse by members of the Catholic clergy. The KBI said it initiated the investigations after it received 119 reports from people who said they were victims of abuse. The agency announced in February that it had appointed a task force of six agents to begin reviewing allegations of abuse by Catholic clergy. The KBI’s brief update Tuesday did not provide details about the investigations, and KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said no arrests have been made yet. The Archdiocese of Kansas City,…
It’s fair time in Riley County, and Riley County Extension Director Gary Fike says there’s nothing like a county fair. “The county fair is one of those traditions in the Midwest that really doesn’t have an equal,” Fike said Friday on KMAN’s In Focus. Fike says the fair is a big collaboration between 4-H, extension and many outside organizations. Fike says the fair is a good learning experience for all involved. “The exhibit at the fair is nice but whether or not they get a white ribbon or get grand champion, the key to me is did that child learn…
The only White House press secretary to serve in two separate administrations will be honored this Fall by the K-State Alumni Association. Marlin Fitzwater, a 1965 journalism graduate, is the 2019 recipient of the Alumni Excellence Award according to a release by the association. He served as press secretary for both Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush during his 10 years working in the White House. The award was created to celebrate alumni and is bestowed annually to a KSU alumna/alumnus whose “whose career, service and achievements exemplify the spirit, values and excellence of the university.” “Marlin Fitzwater’s commitment…
Tuesday’s guest was Pottawatomie County Commissioner Dee McKee.
WICHITA — Kansas health and environment officials are recommending alternative ways for municipal water operators to treat toxic blue-green algal blooms that have troubled state lakes for nearly 10 years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people and animals that come into contact with cyanobacteria algae might suffer diarrhea, headaches and other symptoms. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has detected traces of toxins related to the blooms in at least five water treatment plants. KMUW-FM reports that the department has suggested adding activated carbon to the water treatment process. The carbon causes algae to fall…