Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansas State University President Richard Myers has named longtime College of Education faculty member Be Stoney as interim chief diversity and inclusion officer. Stoney will serve while a national search is conducted to permanently fill the vacancy left by Bryan Samuel, who is departing K-State for a similar position at the University of Texas at Arlington. In a news release Tuesday, Myers said Stoney will be relied upon to help the university promote a culture of inclusion. She’ll also help continue implementation of all diversity and inclusion plans in place, including the Action Plan for a More Inclusive K-State. Stoney,…

Riley County anticipates getting its first shipment of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine by the end of the week, as it prepares to vaccinate youths aged 12 to 15. The Centers for Disease Control is likely to give the go ahead Wednesday following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval for that age group Monday. Riley County Public Information Officer Alice Massimi says a mass vaccination clinic is being planned for May 20 at the health department, specifically for kids ages 12 to 18. “This is a population that nationwide we are seeing an increase in COVID cases among children, who were…

Pottawatomie County commissioners approved two rezoning requests Monday for future residential developments with some contingencies. A 30 acre tract at the southeast corner of Elm Slough and Flush Roads will be rezoned from agricultural to ag-residential. Access into a proposed subdivision hasn’t been determined and will require traffic and drainage studies, according to County Planner Stephan Metzger, based on a protest petition filed by eight of the 18 nearby property owners. “If the applicant wants to come off the Flush Road, the county engineer will have to approve that. If the applicant wants to come off Elm Slough, just like…

A Manhattan man has announced his candidacy for the USD 383 school board. The Riley County Clerk’s office says Steven Ruzzin filed a letter of intent Monday for the November election. Ruzzin is a data analyst with Advisor’s Excel and a Kansas State University graduate. Ruzzin joins Jayme Morris-Hardeman and incumbent Karla Hagemeister as the three school board candidates for the upcoming election. Two other seats are open on the school board, including those held by Jurdene Coleman and Katrina Lewison. Neither has announced whether they’ll seek re-election.

Manhattan City Commissioner Usha Reddi is seeking a third term on the city commission. Reddi announced Monday morning on her Facebook page that she had filed paperwork with the Riley County Clerk’s office for the November general election. She was first elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. Reddi, in her post says she’s looking forward to helping lead Manhattan’s efforts out of the pandemic, expressing optimism for its many partnerships with Fort Riley, K-State, USD 383 and the Chamber of Commerce. Last year, Reddi briefly was a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate but withdrew early on. She joins incumbent…

A Manhattan man entered a guilty plea Thursday to second-degree murder in connection to a 2019 fatal attempted robbery. 21-year-old Jaylon Hitsman additionally pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated battery. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle and recommended a lower sentence of approximately 15 years. Hitsman’s brother, 21-year-old Dylan Hitsman was sentenced in March to 24 years in prison on similar charges. Riley County Chief Justice Grant Bannister will sentence Jaylon Hitsman on Aug. 31. Two other co-defendants are awaiting court proceedings. At a May 3…

A small earthquake jolted the Flint Hills early Friday morning. The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.1 magnitude quake was reported around 1:30 a.m. in a rural part of Dickinson County, northwest of Herington. An area of rural Jewell County also experienced a similar 3.1 magnitude earthquake Thursday morning. Neither quake produced any damage or reported injuries.

Manhattan-Ogden school board member Karla Hagemeister has announced she will seek another term on the board. Hagemeister confirmed the announcement during Wednesday’s school board meeting, talking about her time on the board thus far. “I won’t say I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it but I have grown from every single minute of it and appreciated it much like having children. There are times you think you’ll never do this again and there are times that you say this was a really good decision. I’ve definitely grown a lot from this board service and I hope to continue to do…

If you’re looking for something nice this weekend for mom, the Sunset Zoo has a special offer. “Moms can get in here free on Mother’s Day, with a paid admission,” Melissa Kirkwood, marketing and development officer at Sunset Zoo said. Moms will also receive a free gift from Bellus Academy while supplies last, good for a complimentary haircut, deep conditioning and blow dry, a basic manicure or pedicure, brow or lip wax, an aromatherapy facial or back stress reduction. “We just think that’s a great opportunity during Mother’s Day to come enjoy the spring, walk around the zoo with your…

An Ogden Elementary teacher has been named the principal of the school. Kayla Simon, a 5th grade teacher at Ogden will succeed Jim Armendariz (Arm-en-dare-iz), who is retiring after 19 years leading the school. Simon has been with Ogden Elementary since 2016 and has served in several leadership roles during her tenure. Simon has a B.S. in Elementary Education as well as an M.S. in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University, a B.S. in Bible Leadership from Manhattan Christian College and has an endorsement in English Speakers of Other Languages. In a news release Wednesday, Simon said she was looking…