Author: Brandon Peoples

The month of September went out like a lamb in terms of new coronavirus cases reported in the Kansas State University community. Lafene Health Center confirmed 40 positive cases between Sept. 21 and Sept. 25, for a 5.41 percent positive rate among those tested. That’s the lowest percent positive rate since the school year began. Since the beginning of the semester K-State has confirmed 696 total coronavirus cases. As of last Friday, K-State reported 278 students in quarantine and 85 in isolation both on and off campus. Officials have cleared more than 1,300 from quarantine and close to 800 from…

Kansas State University saw a 4 percent drop in enrollment this fall across all campuses, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Manhattan campus alone saw a 6.1 percent dip in all students, with the majority coming in undergraduate student enrollment which is down 6.9 percent. Overall enrollment was at 20,854, down 865 students from a year ago. Despite the drop, Provost for Enrollment Management Dr. Karen Goos says they anticipate turning those numbers around next year, with the new Missouri Tuition Match program, providing in-state tuition to qualified Missouri students beginning next fall. “Our new scholarship plans also are…

Kansas officials may be reaching for the stars, but remain hopeful that the U.S. Space Command will choose the Sunflower State for the relocation of its headquarters over others in the 26 states selected. The Air Force said it expects to select a location in early 2021 but it will take up to six years to construct new facilities. The provisional headquarters will remain in operation at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado until that happens. Executive Director of the Governor’s Military Council Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins says the Wichita area and the Leavenworth-Kansas City region are among…

A second Manhattan firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19. The fire department says the firefighter began showing symptoms while on-duty and left work to be tested. The individual is currently recovering in isolation at their home. An investigation began immediately to determine close contacts of the individual including employees and members of the public during the course of their duties. The fire department says the incident will not interrupt fire, emergency or inspection services. The department has a contingency plan in place to limit staff exposure and continue operations. Elsewhere, the Riley County Police Department noted it now has three…

The Riley County Health Department on Wednesday confirmed 42 new cases of coronavirus since Monday. The total number of active cases is 267, with 1,582 recovered and eight deaths, for a total of 1,857 since the pandemic first presented locally in March. Statistics show 78.5 percent of the total cases since March have involved residents aged 18 to 24. Females have accounted for 52 percent of total cases while males have made up the other 48 percent. Males have accounted for seven of the eight total deaths. Officials noted Wednesday that Ascension Via Christi was caring for three COVID positive…

With in-person shows on hold through December, McCain Auditorium is announcing a new live stream event series called McCain Connected. The series is a collection of curated shows available online, most of which will be free of charge. A few will require a ticket be purchased to view the show. Some of the events planned will take place live on the McCain stage or at other locations around the world. Some will be prerecorded and made available exclusively to the McCain audience. Six events are currently scheduled. The first will be Wayne Goins and the Jazzdemic Orchestra, performing at 7:30…

For the first time in six weeks, the percent of individuals testing positive for the coronavirus in Riley County has fallen below 10 percent. The health department says for the week of Sept. 20, that rate fell to 9.6 percent, with 108 total cases. It was the fourth consecutive week that the rate decreased after reaching a peak of 34.3 percent in late August. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs. “We are happy to see that number back down from 30 percent back down to 10 percent. It’s come down significantly,” she said. Gibbs also says K-12 schools aren’t seeing many…

A Westmoreland agricultural producer is among four selected to receive USDA funding to help develop new products and expand his operation. Roy Garrett is receiving a $38,100 Value-Added Producer Grant from USDA Rural Development. Garrett is starting a wine production company and has an existing vineyard and has degrees in enology and viticulture from Highland Community College. Project funds will be used to rent a space at the college winery business incubator and tasting room and provide supplies, packaging and marketing. Elsewhere, a $250,000 grant is being awarded to KC Pumpkin Patch, LLC in Olathe to expand production and distribution…

A full-scale exercise taking place at Manhattan Regional Airport will include some traffic adjustments Tuesday. Airport Director Jesse Romo says the exercise is to test emergency responders’ abilities to respond to an aircraft incident. It’s scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday on the airport property near Wildcat Creek Road. A portion of Wildcat Creek Road will be closed between the business park and Skyway Drive, as a result, with limited access for residents. During the exercise, officials will use a mock aircraft, fuselage and manikins. Due to COVID-19, only emergency responders will be participating — including Manhattan Fire, RCPD,…

Junction City Police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection to a weekend homicide. Michael Chavez was booked into the Geary County Detention Center on the charge of 2nd degree murder. According to Lt. Cory Odell, officers were dispatched Saturday night to the 500 block of West 7th Street in reference to a welfare check. When they arrived, they found the body of Carolina Almendarez Marquez. Police say the woman was related to the suspect. An autopsy has been scheduled Chavez is awaiting a first court appearance. Bond is set at $1 million.