Author: Brandon Peoples

Sales tax revenue in Pottawatomie County was up in 2020, despite the economic downturn associated with the pandemic. Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jack Allston highlighted the figures from the corporation’s annual report. “And mostly due to the fact that some of the big boxes are in Pottawatomie County, grew from $5.3 million to $5.7 million in sales tax revenue, which is again really good for the county,” he said. Property tax revenue also increased $1.6 million and has increased by $3 million between 2018 and 2020. But perhaps most surprising was the real estate market. In Pottawatomie…

One of the biggest blows to Manhattan out of the pandemic has been the loss of the use of Kansas State University’s Natatorium. At a virtual town hall with faculty and staff Thursday, K-State Chief of Staff Linda Cook said the university is in the early stages of conversations with a local committee that includes representatives from the city, USD 383 and the Marlins swim club for a replacement indoor aquatic center. “They’re coming up with some proposals of some of the existing pools, how they might be enclosed and trying to determine how much support the community would have…

Update: 10 a.m. Thursday The man shot in the Manhattan Town Center parking lot Wednesday evening is reportedly in critical condition at a Topeka hospital. Riley County Police said Thursday morning the 33-year-old man was involved in an road rage incident in Manhattan and threatened two people with a crowbar. Police say a 20-year-old woman and 21-year-old man were victims in the altercation. The 21-year-old man reportedly shot at the alleged attacker, in apparent self-defense, and the crowbar-wielding man fled the scene. He was later located near 3rd and Kearney suffering from gunshot wounds. Police say the he was initially…

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is likely to come down with a new statewide mask order Thursday. As has been the case during the pandemic, counties have the option to override the governor’s orders and opt out, but doing so requires a special meeting. County Counselor John Watt informed Pottawatomie County commissioners Monday of their options if they chose once again to opt out. “If you want to set a special meeting, my recommendation would be to do it on Friday, because you have no idea what she’s going to do on Thursday, and when she’s going to be doing it,”…

A Riley County judge has sentenced one of four individuals for his role in a 2019 fatal attempted robbery. After pleading guilty in February, 21-year-old Dylan Hitsman, of Abilene, was sentenced Tuesday to nearly 24 years in prison on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery. Chief Judge Grant Bannister presided over the case. Hitsman will serve consecutive sentences on both charges, including 253 months on the murder charge and 32 months for the aggravated battery charge. He’s also been ordered to pay more than $17,000 in restitution to the victim’s family. Hitsman, along with his brother Jaylon, Richard Goens…

Kansans living in the 785 and 620 area codes will soon be required to use 10-digit dialing when making local calls. The change, announced this week by the Kansas Corporation Commission, will take effect Oct. 24. The KCC is encouraging callers to begin using 10-digit dialing on April 24, to get into the habit, but calls dialed with 7-digits will still go through during the practice period. Exceptions will include any three digit abbreviated numbers such as 911 or the newly approved 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Ten digit dialing is mandated by the Federal Communications Commission for…

A Manhattan city commissioner has become the first to announce his candidacy for re-election. Aaron Estabrook, who was elected to a two-year term in 2019, formally announced his campaign Tuesday in a release. The incumbent commissioner said the city is progressing on key items he campaigned on then, but adds more work needs to be done. Estabrook has outlined a need to move forward on issues like keeping property taxes under control, improving access to adequate housing and maintaining a responsible city budget that is efficient, inclusive and works for all members of the community. The Manhattan City Commission has…

The Fort Riley Tax Assistance Center will continue operations through April 15, despite the federal extension of the tax filing deadline to May 17. Officials say limited staffing is the primary reason for not extending services. The center, part of the 1st Infantry Division’s Staff Judge Advocate office, provides free tax preparation assistance to soldiers, including active duty, eligible family members, military reservists on order for more than 30 days and military retirees. The center is operating as a drop-off service with no appointments due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Clients are notified within three days after dropping off their tax…

Kansas State University students enrolled for the current spring semester will be receiving automatic emergency grants targeted for those experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic. The university announced Tuesday that the Office of Student Financial Assistance will distribute $6.3 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief II grants made available last year through the federal CARES Act. Federal guidelines require universities and colleges to target students with exceptional need. Students can use the funds to cover routine costs associated with tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses. It also assists for those who’ve had…

Riley County confirmed 15 new positive coronavirus cases Monday along with 41 additional recoveries and no active hospitalizations. The news came on the first day of Kansas moving to Phase 5, opening vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 and older. Riley County has received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, which can only be administered to those 18 and older. Only the Pfizer vaccine, which is not locally available yet, can be administered to 16 and 17 year olds. As of Monday, over 6,000 Riley County residents have received the first dose of vaccine. Over 9,400 are now fully vaccinated, according…