With the summer weather comes concerns about ticks for those involved in agriculture. K-State crop entomologist Jeff Whitworth said farmers need to be aware of their environments. “What I’m seeing is the guys are out looking at their irrigation systems, and they’re hanging out around the edge of the field in the weedy areas,” he said. “They’re getting ready to cut their wheat, or in some cases, they are cutting their wheat, and that’s primarily where the ticks are.” Whitworth said ticks are very good at finding their next meal. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…
Author: Bernie Fancella
Riley County officials are calling for an increase in the 2026 budget that would be a 17% property tax hike for the average homeowner. Commissioners on Thursday had their first budget work session and proposed a $58.35 million budget for 2026. That’s an increase of 5% over the 2025 budget, which was $55.46 million. Under that proposal, the mill rate would be 42.339, up from 37.953 mills in 2025. A mill is $1 in taxes for every 1,000 in assessed, taxable property value. That means the average homeowner would see an increase of 17% in their county taxes. The owner…
Founded in 2021 by Army veterans Aaron Estabrook and Fatima Jaghoori, the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team handles integrating refugees from Afghanistan — and other countries — into Manhattan. MART executive director Virginia Rodriguez said the organization’s main program is focused on employability. “(We) help our refugees to seek employment, to help them build resumes, to help them understand their rights in an employment place,” Rodriguez said. “We help them position in whatever industry they are need to and we also help them move, when they are ready, to another job.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…
Saturday was No King’s Day, sponsored by Indivisible MHK. This was the third organized protest held by the organization in Manhattan, and attendees lined up on the edge of City Park across from City Hall. Approximately 1,200 residents turned out for the protest. The protesters represented the wide demographics that make up the city of Manhattan’s residents. Indivisible MHK security chair and City Commission candidate Amber Starling said, “People are just getting really tired of seeing what’s going on with the federal government,” she said. “The impacts in our community are quite noticeable. With closures, lost income we have just…
The U.S. Army announced the closings of several museums on posts throughout the country, including Fort Riley. Fort Riley has three museums: the First Infantry Museum, the Cavalry Museum and General Custer’s House. It is not yet announced how many of its museums will close. The Center of Military History began a consolidation project to reduce Army museums which will continue through the 2029 fiscal year. The Army Museum Enterprise will reduce 41 museum activities at 29 locations to 12 field museums and four training support facilities at 12 locations. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…
BBQs and block parties are how the city celebrates Manhattan Day. Hotdogs and buns were donated by Hy-Vee, Dillons and Walmart and distributed by the Flint Hills Breadbasket to encourage neighborhood cookouts. President of the Eugene Field Neighborhood Association Tim Lindemuth said the day is more than just hotdogs. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
The Kansas Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a Manhattan man convicted of murder. Kamahl Bobian was convicted in November 2023 of murdering his estranged wife, Shanell, while she slept. He is serving a life sentence. Bobian is appealing the conviction on the basis of what his attorney describes as “prosecutorial errors.” Attorney Randall Hodgkinson presented on behalf of Bobian, stating that the assistant district attorney during the trial had asked the jury to ignore the potential for second-degree murder and reckless manslaughter, contradicting the judge’s instructions. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here…
After 43 years at 905 Yuma Street, and a $3.1 million community campaign, the organization has moved into remodeled space at the former Furniture Warehouse, 2326 Skyvue Lane. “We’re ready to kick things off and to welcome guests into the space,” said executive director Karla Hagemeister. The Breadbasket hosted an open house Wednesday to unveil the expanded space after Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce officials had a ribbon cutting. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
The history and ecology of the Flint Hills region was on full display Saturday at the Flint Hills Festival in Manhattan. “Flint Hills Festival is our one day of the year in which we bring everyone together to celebrate the Flint Hills Region,” said Stephen Bridenstine, director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center. “The food, the music, the culture, the heritage. We kind of do it all.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
A popular student food support program is likely coming to an end, its organizer said Wednesday. Konza Student Table, founded in 2021, has provided more than 100,000 meals to K-State students. Volunteers distribute the to-go meals weekly on campus, free of charge, to anyone who needs them. “Konza Student Table came to be because we had the opportunity to have a very large estate gift,” said Vickie James, coordinator for the Food and Farm Council of Riley County and Manhattan. “Then there were some people that saw the need during COVID and donated on top of that.” To view the…