Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansas State University is extending its deadline for employees to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Rather than Dec. 8, employees now have until Jan. 4 to comply with the federal government’s requirement. The university says those who don’t comply by that deadline will see their employment come to an end on Jan. 9. This came after the federal government provided updated guidance on Nov. 4. The vaccine requirement now applies to employees of corporate entities controlled by the university, including K-State Athletics and the K-State Student Union. K-State Alumni Association and KSU Foundation are not considered to be controlled affiliated…

Manhattan celebrated Veterans Day Thursday, honoring 30 years since the Desert Storm conflict. That’s the 1st Infantry Division Band, one of 125 entries that made the trek from Manhattan Town Center to City Hall ahead of the Ceremony of Honor. All told, there were 1,995 individuals that took part in Thursday’s parade. Other bands that performed Thursday were the Manhattan High School marching band, as well as bands from Junction City, Riley County and Rock Creek High Schools. Following the parade, guests were welcomed into Peace Memorial Auditorium at Manhattan City Hall for the indoor ceremony, which also was given…

A Junction City man was injured Thursday evening following a 3 vehicle crash on I-70, just after 4 p.m.. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 63-year-old Bradley Johnson was westbound, about six miles east of Junction City, when his Lexus rear-ended a Ford F-150 pickup. That truck then rear-ended a Peterbilt tractor. All three vehicles were in the same lane. Johnson sustained a minor injury and was transported to Geary Community Hospital. The crash report says he was not wearing a seat belt. The drivers of the pickup and tractor, both from Texas, did not require hospital trips, with one only…

Kansas State University Police are investigating after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle this morning near campus. K-State Police were called out at around 9 a.m. to the intersection of Denison Avenue and Platt Street. The pedestrian was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, and later flown to a Topeka hospital. That person’s condition is unknown. Police have not released the names of those involved. The investigation is ongoing.

Two more Riley County residents have died after recently testing positive for COVID-19. The health department said Wednesday a 61-year-old unvaccinated woman died Nov. 5 after testing positive two-and-a-half weeks earlier. A fully vaccinated 82-year-old man also died Sunday after testing positive just six days earlier. The county has now seen 62 COVID-related deaths. In addition, 120 new positive coronavirus cases were noted in Wednesday’s report. That’s nearly three times as many new cases as was seen last week. It’s also the first time since late September that new cases for a one week period topped over 100. The county…

Pottawatomie County will use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to plan a regional storm water detention pond. Commissioners differed on ways to approach the pond, northwest of Oliver Brown Elementary School. Pat Weixelman thought the $1.5 million ask was too high. Commissioner Dee McKee favored going in at planning and designing now, saying she was flexible in how much would be allocated. The commission agreed to allocate $500,000 in ARPA funds for the project.  Later in the meeting the commission agreed to move forward on a minimal pond design for the property north of Junietta Road and west…

Manhattan area elected officials are weighing in on anticipated legislation to eliminate or reduce the state sales tax on food. Wamego 51st District Rep. Ron Highland says Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s announcement Monday that she’ll introduce legislation in the upcoming session, was more about scoring political points. 67th District Rep. Mike Dodson, of Manhattan, says for those not making much money it’s a big deal and the right thing to do. Any tax bill introduced would be bundled with all the other tax proposals to be considered by the full legislature. Highland says if the sales tax goes away, it…

Tolls are going up on the Kansas Turnpike. The Turnpike Authority announced Monday that beginning Feb. 1 toll rates will be adjusted to pay for future projects, replenish reserves used during the pandemic and entice additional customers to use K-TAG, KTA’s electronic toll collection program. Those who use an electronic transponder to pay for tolls will see an approximate 2 percent increase for inflation. Customers paying at the toll booths with cash or card will see about a 12 percent increase. The Kansas Turnpike receives no tax funding and relies on user fees, to pay for operations and maintenance of…

Governor Laura Kelly has announced she will introduce a bill aimed at eliminating the state’s sales on food in Kansas. If passed by the full Kansas Legislature, Kelly estimates the average family of four would save an average of $500 or more on their grocery bill annually. In a release Monday, the governor said this could be accomplished while still maintaining the state budget. Kelly’s likely challenger, Attorney General Derek Schmidt also proposed a repeal or reduction of the grocery sales tax in a statement Friday. Schmidt says “eliminating or at least significantly reducing the sales tax on groceries is…

Mail-in ballots tallied Friday by the Riley County Clerk’s Office helped tighten the USD 383 school board race, but not enough to change the outcome. Karla Hagemeister remains with the most votes received at 4,578, gaining 35 additional mail in votes. Jayme Morris-Hardeman picked up 36 votes while Christine Weixelman picked up 20. She finished with 4,376, while Morris Hardeman finished with 4,375. Teresa Parks remained 141 votes behind Morris-Hardeman in fourth place. The results include all advance and mail ballots from both Riley and Pottawatomie counties. In the city race, top earner Usha Reddi, picked up 33 more votes,…