The USD 320 Wamego School Board has put a mask mandate in place for the school year that starts next week. Interim Superintendent Greg Mann tells KMAN the district board voted 4-3 to implement the mandate. The board did agree to allow exemptions to the mandate, similar to how exemptions are handled related to activities by the district. In a memo sent to staff this week, it’s classified as a “religious exemption” to mask mandates. The district sought advice from its legal counsel and are accepting the exemptions. Mann says school boards are being put into a no-win situation with…
Author: Troy Coverdale
Troy Coverdale
Currently the host of "KMAN's Morning News", Troy is a 30 year veteran of radio, nearly 20 in northern Colorado, where he served as the "Voice of the UNC Bears" while serving as the news and sports director for one of the oldest AM stations in the country. No stranger to Manhattan nor Kansas, Troy is an alum of K-State in broadcast journalism and grew up near Circleville. He began his broadcast career with KSDB-FM on campus while working part time at another radio station in town. He's married to the former Monica Haugsness of Seneca, who has patiently put up with his schedule for more than 25 years.
Eighteen new coronavirus cases in Riley County since Monday have brought the total of people infected with one of the CDC-labeled variants of concern to 100 going back to December. There are currently 130 active cases of coronavirus according to the Riley County Health Department, which says nine people are currently hospitalized. Four of those patients are being treated in Ascension Via Christi’s intensive care unit. Capacity issues have resulted in some needing treatment for COVID-19 to be transferred from Riley County to other hospitals in the Midwest, according to the health department. According to one hospital official Wednesday, the…
The first of the legislative redistricting listening sessions this morning saw commenters specifically focus on one criticism: the fact the meetings were being held before Census numbers are released. That included Manhattan State Representative Sydney Carlin. Manhattan-area State Senator Tom Hawk noted that changes passed by the Legislature included a revamping of how students and military in his current district will be counted. Some in attendance made it clear they expect the legislature to draw the new maps based on political matters and don’t want that to be the basis. Linda Uthoff with the Manhattan/Riley County chapter of the League…
The city of Manhattan will again require staff and visitors to wear masks in indoor facilities starting Monday. City Manager Ron Fehr announced the mandate in a Friday afternoon press release, noting that the requirement is only for the city-operated facilities and does not mean that there’s a city-wide mask ordinance. Fehr says the decision is based on recent CDC and Riley County Health Department recommendations as the county is among those dealing with high transmission rates of coronavirus. As of Thursday, there were 150 active cases of coronavirus in Riley County, per the health department.
The first legislative redistricting public input listening session will be Monday morning in Manhattan. The joint House and Senate committees on redistricting will meet at nine in the ballroom of the K-State Union, launching a five-day, 14 city tour of the state. Each stop includes a 75-minute hearing. U.S. Census numbers from last year are to be utilized for the adjustment of the various boundaries, but they have been delayed and may come out while the Legislators are part way through their tour. Democrats have criticized starting the process while those numbers haven’t been released, but Republican leadership has promised…
The Manahttan Area Convention and Visitors Bureau says the recovery from last year’s lack of visitors because of the pandemic continues. Executive Director Karen Hibbard tells KMAN that, at the end of June, the hotel occupancy rate was 50-point-six percent for the year. While the July numbers aren’t official, Hibbard did note that the final week of July saw another increase in the occupancy rate. That increase, though, comes at a time that hospitality businesses are struggling to fill jobs. The CVB along with K-State Athletics are working to promote the first home football game of the season. The “Refill…
Delta-variant driven increases in coronavirus cases have resulted in three people needing treatment in the ICU at Manhattan’s Ascension Via Christi. Hospital president Bob Copple tells KMAN it’s an unusual situation as staffing usually allows for one-to-two or one-to-three caregiver-to-patient care. Copple says ten people are being treated for COVID currently at Ascension Via Christi. Copple says the stats bear out how effective vaccines have been against coronavirus, especially with the effects of the Delta-variant on those who haven’t been vaccinated. Copple reiterates that visitor restrictions are ongoing. As of Thursday, there were 150 active coronavirus cases in Riley County,…
Three additional deaths from coronavirus occurred in the past week in Riley County. The county Health Department reports two of those who died were unvaccinated, while the third, a 90 year old man, had received vaccination. He tested positive July 12th at Ascension Via Christi Village before passing away at a Topeka hospital August 1st. The two other deaths were a 49 year old man and a 72 year old female. The three deaths in the week moved the total number in Riley County since the start of the pandemic to 52. There are currently 10 COVID patients at Ascension…
After the previous one was found unconstitutional, the CDC late Tuesday issued a new moratorium on evictions in attempt to keep renters in their homes as the coronavirus’ delta variant has spread. Manhattan Housing Authority Executive Director and City Commissioner Aaron Estabrook called the extension good news. Estabrook tells KMAN that the extension buys some time for the city to get more information out to those who may need aid. He notes, though, that there are longer range considerations that the assistance won’t address. The moratorium would temporarily halt evictions in counties with “substantial and high levels” of virus transmissions,…
The former Manhattan restaurant owner accused of multiple rapes may have his trial in March of next year. District Judge Kendra Lewison set the next scheduling hearing for October 5th in the Bob Iacobellis case, stating she expects that his trial will need to be held in a larger venue. Iacobellis is charged with 27 sexual assault and rape counts stemming from allegations brought by four women, three who were minors at the time of their interactions. Lewison stated she believes his trial will have to be held in the Wareham to allow for the numbers of spectators who will…