Author: Brandon Peoples

July sales tax numbers for the City of Manhattan showed continued gains for a third straight month. July numbers reflect revenues collected in May as the city’s numbers lag two months behind. The city’s one percent sales tax brought in roughly $1.04 million compared to just over $865,000 in May 2020. City Manager Ron Fehr says overall it’s encouraging from where the city was during the early part of the pandemic. Mayor Wynn Butler says it’s a sign of a strong local economy. Revenues year-to-date are $465,000 over projection. A link to the July sales tax reports and comparison breakdowns…

A Pennsylvania motorcyclist was injured Tuesday morning in a crash on I-70 in Riley County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the 73-year-old rider was eastbound near mile marker 318, about five miles east of the Manhattan exit when his bike left the roadway and traveled into the center median. The crash report says the man, identified as Robert Nemcik was partially ejected, but was wearing a helmet. He was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with minor injuries.

Six candidates are moving on in the USD 383 school board race following the first primary in over a quarter century. Christine Weixelman, a former Northview Elementary nurse received more votes than any other candidate, with 2,425. Local business owner Betty Mattingly-Ebert finished in second place with 2,270 votes and former Manhattan city commissioner and Thrive! Flint Hills executive director Jayme Morris-Hardeman wasn’t far behind in third place with 2,222 votes. The lone incumbent, Karla Hagemeister finished fourth in voting with Steven Ruzzin and Teresa Parks rounding out the top six in the field. Tuesday’s results don’t factor in mail…

Students and staff in Geary County schools are now required to wear masks indoors. The USD 475 school board voted unanimously Monday to update the district’s COVID-19 mitigation plan, given the county’s rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. It goes into effect immediately and extends to all district facilities and vehicles, including school buses. The mask policy will remain in place until Oct. 8, when board members will re-evaluate. The move follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for K-12 schools released on July 27. If a vaccinated student or staff member is exposed to COVID-19, the district says…

A Junction City man and three others were killed Monday in a head on crash near Garden City, Missouri, about an hour southeast of Kansas City. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a semi truck driven by Everett Ashley of Lowry City, Missouri lost control in the southbound lanes of MO Hwy 7 at Route Z. The semi traveled into an embankment and into the northbound lanes of the highway. It then struck a northbound SUV driven by 61-year-old Stephen Bennett, of Junction City head-on. Bennett was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Ashley and two passengers…

Seven months after the Pottawatomie County Public Works Administrator job became vacant, the county commission is still struggling to find the right fit. The commission voted 2-1 Monday to advertise a full salary range for the position. In the past, the county administrator only had authority to offer pay at the starting wage ($70,000) and up to 25 percent above that ($88,000). Commission Chair Greg Riat says that has handicapped the county’s ability to find the right fit. Commissioner Pat Weixelman opposed the motion, preferring the county take a different approach. By comparison, Riley County’s assistant public works director position…

Riley County Police say a Manhattan man was arrested Friday in connection to a domestic incident from a day earlier. 41-year-old Desie Chatfield was jailed on charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated battery against a 42-year-old female victim Thursday. Police say Chatfield allegedly kept the victim from leaving a residence after an argument and stabbed her in the arm with a fork. Chatfield is confined on a $150,000 bond.

Candidates seeking a spot on the Manhattan City Commission this November recently turned in receipts showing campaign contributions and expenditures received from Jan. 1 through July 22. (Each of the reports can be viewed at the bottom of this story.) Two of the three incumbents raised the most, with Aaron Estabrook outpacing the field at $6,725 in contributions, including six contributions of $500. Fellow commissioner Usha Reddi raised $5,245.19, including three contributions of $500. Among those contributing to Reddi’s campaign, fellow commissioner Linda Morse contributed $100. Mayor Wynn Butler raised $1,723 over that time frame, with nearly a third of…

The Riley County Health Department is holding a COVID-19 vaccine clinic Friday for USD 383’s central enrollment. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says the clinic takes place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m at the Manhattan High west campus. COVID testing will also be offered and those who come out will also get a free lunch voucher to La Hacienda. The push comes as Riley County deals with some of its biggest spikes in new cases in months, leading to nearly a dozen hospitalizations in the past week. Ascension Via Christi President and CEO Bob Copple says a majority of…

Source: Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation A recent analysis of economic productivity in Pottawatomie County has demonstrated the economy has room for substantial growth. While the overall economic burden facing most households in the county remains low, the county’s gross domestic product from utility production slipped from 40 percent in 2011 to 23 percent 2019. Actual GDP in Pottawatomie County decreased over that eight year period from $1.58 billion to roughly $1.36 billion. That decline is largely driven by decreases in output from the Jeffrey Energy Center. Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jack Allston explains. Allston says Evergy…