Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansas State University is aiming to simplify its tuition and fee payment structure. While the university notes a $57 per semester increase in tuition beginning in 2022, it’s offset by a $67 decrease in overall fees for a net savings of $10 per semester for in-state undergraduates at the Manhattan campus taking courses in-person and online. The move comes after the coronavirus pandemic highlighted the complicating structure which had K-State charging more for online courses than for in-person courses, based on a number of fees it was charging. When students were forced into fully online classes in spring 2020, it…

Riley County confirmed 28 new positive coronavirus cases and 17 additional recoveries in its weekly report issued Wednesday. The percent of positive cases for the week of May 9 was 1.9 percent, up slightly from 1.6 percent the previous week. Two patients are being treated at Ascension Via Christi Hospital with one currently in the Intensive Care Unit. There are currently 34 active coronavirus cases in Riley County. Over 20,000 residents in the county are now fully vaccinated. Vaccine Operations (RCHD):  Received dose 2 of 2 (Fully vaccinated): 20,412 Received dose 1 of 2: 1,071 Riley County Statistics for May…

Members of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation continue a series of community engagement sessions to gather input on the state of housing in Kansas. Nearly two dozen residents and stakeholders participated virtually Tuesday from across northeast Kansas, including Manhattan. Individuals were paired divided into two breakout sessions to share input. Executive Assistant Abigail Phillips says her group discussed rural housing incentive districts, code enforcement and the fact that so many homes are dilapidated. “One of the big challenges facing smaller communities is they can’t afford to have people focus solely on code enforcement, because there just isn’t enough work in…

A Manhattan man sustained no injuries after a wreck on I-470 in Topeka Tuesday. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a two vehicle crash occurred just before 4 p.m. near the Fairlawn Road interchange. A Jeep Wrangler driven by 85-year-old Wilbur Crabb of Manhattan rear ended a westbound Kia Rio when it switched lanes. Crabb, who was wearing a seat belt, sustained no apparent injury, according to the crash report. The driver of the Kia, 55-year-old Robert Matthews of Topeka was transported to St. Francis Hospital with a suspected minor injury. He too was wearing a seat belt.

Riley County is holding a youth vaccine clinic Thursday morning at Pottorf Hall. Children 12 and older are able to come out and receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. They must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Free activities for families will be available, sponsored by area businesses and organizations. Those who get vaccinated will also receive a free snow cone. Appointments can be made via rileycountyks.gov/schoolvac. The Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration earlier this month approved the Pfizer vaccine for individuals 12 to 15.

The search for an interim superintendent at USD 320 Wamego Public Schools is underway. School board members met Monday to review potential interview questions, as suggested by the Kansas Association of School Boards. Two candidates have submitted interest in the position, which is being vacated by current Superintendent Tim Winter at the end of July. Winter announced his resignation last week and was subsequently retained by the district as an eighth grade math teacher. The board Monday interviewed Greg Mann, who retired as superintendent of USD 306 Southeast of Saline Schools in 2018. A second candidate will interview for the…

Kansas State University no longer will require face coverings for outdoor settings. The university says fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear masks at outdoor events. It has also eliminated physical distancing requirements. Mask requirements for indoor spaces will not change, pending clarification of CDC guidelines. The policy says faculty, staff, students, contractors, vendors and visitors must still wear face coverings in all university indoor spaces unless alone in a private office or workspace, regardless of whether a person is vaccinated. The university strongly encourages all to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Pottawatomie County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to allow a local group interested in preserving the courthouse in Westmoreland the opportunity to tour the building. Commission Vice Chair Pat Weixelman, who supported the measure, says he recently met with the group and suggested a walk-through might be beneficial to get to some resolution for the future of the property. “I also said that if this happened, there would have to be somebody available from the county to guide it and I would like an agenda who is going to be present with maybe a total of 15 or 20 people, not…

The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is reopening Thursday following a closure of more than 14 months due to the pandemic. Officials say timed entry tickets must be purchased online in advance at eisenhowerlibrary.gov. There, guests can also review safety measures in place Guests can purchase a maximum of six tickets per visit. While the library and museum reopen, other buildings, including research services and the Eisenhower boyhood home will remain closed until further notice. All public and educational programs remain online virtual programs only. Starting Thursday, the hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through…

The Manhattan Fire Department made quick work of an apartment fire Saturday evening in south Manhattan. Firefighters were dispatched just after 8 p.m. to the 1200 Yuma Street where a two-story apartment was showing smoke from the second floor. The building, which was searched and found to be clear of occupants, was contained within 10 minutes. No injuries were reported. The building contains three units, but only one sustained damage. The occupants of that unit were not home at the time. Loss is estimated at $15,000 to the structure and $2,500 to the contents. The cause of the fire is…