The 14th annual Kevin Coffey Memorial Blood Drive wrapped up Friday at St. Thomas More Church. Kevin was a 2009 Manhattan High graduate who died in a bus accident in 2010. His parents, Ray and Maxine Coffey, have hosted this drive in Manhattan annually in November since his untimely passing. Red Cross Kansas District spokesperson Kristi Ingalls says this year’s drive collected 94 pints of blood Thursday and 65 pints on Friday, for a total of 159 pints during the two-day drive. Ingalls says the timing of this drive is beneficial since winter months tend to put a strain on…
Author: Bernie Fancella
At a joint meeting Thursday night between City of Manhattan and Pottawatomie County officials, Stantec Consulting Group presented its plans to formulate the East Manhattan Gateway Plan. The meeting served as an unofficial kickoff to the study that will mostly look at future land use in the growing Green Valley area. Specifically discussed was the Highway 24 corridor and the McCall Triangle, both located in Pottawatomie County. Stantec Senior Urban Planner Jay Demma says that the plan should take approximately a year and a half to formulate. He explains what the plan aims to produce. Manhattan City Commissioner Wynn Butler…
The annual parade and Ceremony of Honor recognized “Veterans of the Cold War.” Retired Brigadier General and Director of the Kansas Commission of Veteran Affairs Bill Turner was the featured speaker and recalled serving in Nuremburg Germany in 1987 Turner says in those days his team understood well what was expected of them and what they were expected to fight, remaining confident in their tactics and procedures. Tuner gave some background on the Cold War Tuner finished his speech with advice for current active duty soldiers: During the ceremony area students were recognized for their winning essays. They included 1st…
Community members are encouraged to help support local veterans initiatives. A donation tent will be setup outside City Hall from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday during the Veterans Day Parade and activities. Retired Lt. Colonel and Armed Forces Community Foundation of Kansas President Kevin West says the annual event is called Stand-to-Match Day, an annual fundraiser for the organization and its associated non-profits. The Patterson Family Foundation will match all community donated funds up to $70,000 dollar for dollar. A list of participating non-profits can be found at StandToMatchDay.com.
Four local residents graduated from Drug Court Wednesday afternoon. Community Corrections Intensive Supervision Probation Officer Brett Clark explains what Drug Court is: Clark says the local Drug Court is still in its infancy but is working well. Among those graduates is Henry Crowder, of Manhattan, who spoke with KMAN after the ceremony. Another graduate was Ashley Johnson, of Clay Center, who spoke about how the Drug Court has helped her. Drug Court participants are required to abstain from substance use, be accountable for their behavior and fulfill legal responsibilities of the offenses they’ve committed.
Prospective college students are being encouraged to take advantage of the first ever statewide free college-application-period this week. From Tuesday, Nov. 7 through Thursday, Nov. 9, Kansas residents may apply for undergraduate admissions at any Kansas college, university, technical college, including independent colleges, with no application fee. Kansas State University Director of Admissions Molly McGaughey explains some of the reasons for this event. She explains that most will likely incur some cost savings this week, since many typically will apply to more than one school. Students who are unsure what option is best for them can use tools such as…
Beginning in 2024, Ottawa-based nonprofit Prairie Paws will assume animal shelter services for the City of Manhattan. Executive Director Vanessa Cowie presented to the Riley County Commission Monday, as the organization prepares to move into the T. Russel Reitz Animal Shelter officially on December 24. The physical shelter is actually in Pottawatomie County, though Manhattan residents utilize the shelter extensively. As a result, Cowie says they are working to extend an agreement to Riley County as well. No vote was taken at Monday’s meeting. Commissioners agreed to have staff draft a one year temporary agreement, which will be brought back…
The Young Trustees sixth annual Chili Cook Off was held Saturday outside of Rockin K’s. While crowds gathered to taste the bowls of red, many made by local businesses, they watched the K-State football game on the Jumbotron. Young Trustee board member M.L. Latimore spoke with KMAN Saturday about the annual event. Director of Marketing MaKenna Eliert explains how the money is generated for non-profit organizations. BHS Construction was the winner of the cook-off, and their nonprofit of choice was Shepherd’s Crossing. At 20 dollars each, twenty-five percent of the ticket sales went to a local non-profit organization of the…
Lower than expected rainfall totals for October mean Manhattan is still in drought conditions. The rain during the last weekend of October, while helpful, was not enough. Mesonet Network Manager Chip Redmond: Redmond says there is potential for some moisture in the near future. Kansas Mesonet visits every Thursday during the Morning Show with a comprehensive update.
Planning/Special Projects Director Amanda Webb presented the full comprehensive plan for Manhattan to the Riley County Commission. Webb explained that Pottawatomie County’s agreement with Riley County does not extend to the 2001 agreement between Riley County and the City of Manhattan. Webb says that Pottawatomie County can enter the agreement with all participants approval. Commissioner John Ford dissented with the idea. Commissioners will meet again on Monday, Nov. 6.