Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansas State University will proceed with the creation of the Institute for Global Food, Health and Biosecurity, pending $5 million in funding from the state legislature. At a virtual meeting of the Board of Regents last week, Provost Chuck Taber said the effort would be designed to compliment the global food systems work which is also funded by the state. It also compliments research being done within the College of Veterinary Medicine. “This will be something that we believe will really serve the well-being and interests, both financial and physical of Kansas and Kansas residents,” he said. As a result, the new…

One person was air lifted from a motor vehicle accident Monday near St. George. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office says the crash, which occurred around 11 a.m. involved two passenger cars at the intersection of Highway 24 and Blackjack Road. Both cars were eastbound at the time of the crash. The drivers of both vehicles were the only occupants involved in the crash. Eastbound lanes were shut down for a little over an hour and a Lifestar helicopter transported one of the unidentified individuals to a Topeka hospital for treatment. The crash remains under further investigation. No other details were…

Facing uncertainty ahead of the 2021 budget year, the Riley County Law Board Monday directed Riley County Police Department leadership to bring back a zero budget proposal to next month’s meeting. Law Board member and Manhattan City Commissioner Wynn Butler says with no sales tax coming in and grim revenue projections, the increase for RCPD must be zero. “The reason is quite simple, who’s paying that free? It’s the citizens we put out of work basically,” he said. “We’ve got most of our small businesses closed, restaurants are closed, the university is closed. Where are we going to get the…

The Manhattan City Commission will consider settling a debt agreement of more than $5,000 for city sewer service with Riley County Commissioner Ron Wells. Tuesday’s consent agenda includes the agreement which would resolve connectivity issues after it was discovered in 2017 that a Wells family property was receiving free sewer service at 3605 and 3609 Anderson Ave. According to Wells it was part of an agreement in the late 1960s. He says the family had permission not to pay for sewer fees in exchange for utility easements, but the city has never received documentation related to this. The city assumed…

A federal judge has blocked Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order limiting religious gatherings to 10 or fewer people to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The decision, which came down late Saturday from U.S. District Judge John Broomes in Wichita prevents the enforcement of the order issued by Gov. Kelly if pastors and congregations observe physical distancing measures. The judge’s decision remains in effect until May 2. He has a hearing scheduled Thursday in a lawsuit filed against Kelly by two churches and their pastors including Calvary Baptist Church in Junction City and pastor Aaron Harris. Last weekend, the Kansas…

Symphony in the Flint Hills has cancelled for the second year in a row, this time due to COVID-19. The event had been scheduled for June 13 in Wabaunsee County. The event typically unites 7,000 people from across the country on a private pasture in the Flint Hills for prairie walks, inspirational talks, cowboy poetry and a sunset concert performed by the Kansas City symphony. “The decision to cancel the 2020 Signature Event is heartbreaking, but the health and well-being of our audience, performers, and the communities of Wabaunsee County and the Flint Hills region are of utmost importance to…

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran is calling for widespread testing to get Kansas and the national economy back on its feet. The Manhattan Senator joined a conference call of medical experts from the University of Kansas Health System and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman. Moran says he plans to do everything he can to get more people tested in Kansas and across the country. “As someone who is appropriating taxpayer dollars to fight COVID-19 and its consequences, those resources are not unlimited, particularly with an economy that is not generating tax revenues. It can’t go on…

The financial impact of COVID-19 is starting to be felt in the Manhattan area. Goodcents has announced the closure of one of its two Manhattan restaurants. The company said in a release Friday that the financial realities during the ongoing pandemic were too much for the 900 Hayes Drive location to overcome. The last day of business was Thursday, finishing six years of business at that location. Franchisee Jim Jacobs says they did so with a heavy heart, but will continue to keep the Aggieville location open. Goodcents becomes one of the first Manhattan area businesses to announce a permanent…

A body found in Wildcat Creek over the weekend has been identified as that of a Manhattan man missing since late February. The Riley County Police Department said Thursday that following an autopsy it was determined to be 39-year-old Robert Weixelman. He hadn’t been seen by his family since February  21. RCPD’s Emergency Dispatch Center received a 911 call Saturday from a person canoeing in the creek, stating they found what appeared to be a body in the 1100 block of Temple Lane, south of Manhattan. Following the autopsy, detectives and crime scene investigators confirmed the identification and determined there…

Social gatherings aren’t happening for the foreseeable future, but event organizers with Heartland Stampede are proceeding with this year’s show, at least for now. The concert is planned in Topeka’s Heartland Motorsports Park June 25-27. On Thursday, event organizers inadvertently sent out an email blast urging the public to hurry and buy tickets before prices increase May 1, including an exclusive VIP package. About an hour and a half later, Heartland Stampede organizers sent out a second email blast apologizing for the inadvertent email, noting it was not planning to increase prices due to COVID-19. Organizers say they’re still planning…