Author: Brandon Peoples

A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Agronomy Research and Innovation Center at Kansas State University had to be moved indoors Monday, due to rain, leading to a standing-room only crowd of guests inside the university’s Agronomy Education Center.  The new facility will be located within the Edge Collaboration District, across from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It was realized after K-State was awarded a $25 million challenge grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, earlier this year, that required leveraging private funds at a 3 to 1 match with state funds, to construct facilities aimed at improving workforce development and advancing…

Riley County Police are investigating an alleged armed burglary that occurred Friday at a Manhattan apartment complex. 31-year-old Chancellor Copenhaver, of Wamego, is accused of breaking into an apartment in the 1300 block of Flint Hills Place with a shotgun. Officers responded and located him behind the apartment along with residents known to him. Copenhaver sustained a minor head injury during a struggle with a 47-year-old man inside the apartment. Investigators determined Copenhaver had grabbed and forced a 20-year-old woman out of the apartment during the struggle. It was also reported that Copenhaver had been contacting the woman against her…

Manhattan High School celebrated graduation Sunday at Bramlage Coliseum, with over 400 diplomas awarded to the Class of 2023. Senior Class President Eddie Bruegger reflected on the class being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as freshmen. Just seven months after starting their high school career, the students left for spring break but never returned amid schools shutting down. “During our sophomore year, I was a remote student and while it did have it’s benefits, like waking up five minutes before class started and Check-in Wednesdays, it was difficult to learn. I found myself being able to complete school work ok,…

The Class of 2023 was celebrated with commencement activities across Manhattan this past weekend. At Kansas State University, more than 2,100 bachelor’s degrees were awarded along with more than 500 master’s and over 90 doctorate degrees. Among the notable speakers Saturday was K-State alum and retiring USD 383 Superintendent Marvin Wade, providing advice to College of Education graduates. “My first bid of advice is to spend time contemplating your core beliefs. Not just about education, but about what is most important in life. Research shows people who know their beliefs and who live in accordance with those beliefs, have healthier, happier…

A Manhattan man was killed Friday following a crash just south of the four-mile corner near Riley. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a Ford F-150, driven by 66-year-old Donald O’Riley, of Hopkins, Missouri, was northbound on Tuttle Creek Blvd., shortly before 4 p.m., attempting a left-hand turn onto West 92nd Ave. While waiting to turn, Hopkins’ pickup was struck from behind by a Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by 66-year-old Daniel Davis, of Manhattan. The motorcycle impacted the back left corner of the truck, ejecting Davis from the bike. Davis died at the scene. Authorities say he was wearing safety glasses,…

It is commencement weekend in Manhattan. Kansas State University will host the Graduate School ceremonies at 1 p.m. and the College of Veterinary Medicine ceremonies at 3:30 p.m. today at Bramlage Coliseum. Saturday’s commencement schedule at Bramlage includes the College of Arts and Sciences at 8:30 a.m., the College of Education at 11 a.m., the College of Business Administration at 12:30 p.m., College of Architecture at 2:30 p.m., College of Health and Human Sciences at 4:30 p.m. and the College of Engineering at 6:30 p.m. McCain Auditorium will host the College of Architecture, Planning and Design commencement at 10 a.m.…

Riley County Commissioners have green lit a $14.3 million project to include construction of a new public safety headquarters. Commissioners were presented three options that included a full new building, an EMS only facility and a third option that would renovate the current EMS facility into a separate Emergency Operations Center, but only after the headquarters facility is completed. The commission opted to do accept both options 2 and 3. EMS Director David Adams stressed the need for that third option to somehow be included. “The county still does not have a backup dispatch. If something were to happen to…

Riley County Police are seeking the public’s help after a criminal damage to property and trespassing report was filed early Thursday morning in the 2500 block of Farm Bureau Road. Police say a 36-year-old male victim reported an unknown male and female suspect damaged his front door and a fish tank with accessories. The incident was reported around 3 a.m. The suspects reportedly used a Yankee Candle to damage the fish tank. The estimated total loss is approximately $500. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

A motorist was cited this week after striking a pedestrian near the K-State campus. The Riley County Police Department says it happened around 10:30 Tuesday morning near the intersection of Anderson and Denison Ave. A Honda Civic driven by 22-year-old Ciara Hovis, of Manhattan, struck 20-year-old Kamri Younger, also of Manhattan, as she was crossing the street. Younger was taken to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of her injuries. Her condition wasn’t made public. Hovis was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

The Manhattan Arts Center is in search of a new executive director after Penny Senften announced her resignation earlier this week, following more than 20 years of service. In a statement Monday, Board of Directors President Mark Rose thanked Senften for her service during a great time of expansion and financial stability for the Manhattan Arts Center. The board is planning to conduct a national search for her successor. Rose says he hopes to have a new director named within 60 days. Board Secretary Samantha DeChant will serve as interim director. Rose says all MAC programming, performances and events will…