Author: Brandon Peoples

Pottawatomie County Public Works Crews have been given the go ahead to begin design of a bridge replacement project on Havensville Road. The bridge in question was damaged following a car accident in mid-April. Public Works Director Tim Eisenbarth says with a planned bridge project just down the road, it may make sense to do both projects simultaneously, to avoid a prolonged closure of Havensville Road. Start time for construction on the other bridge is scheduled sometime this fall. Commissioner Greg Riat noted he’s had several calls supporting that option, noting it would be better for farmers to avoid limited…

Vandals struck over the weekend in the 500 block of Sunset Ave., spray painting graffiti on a fence, belonging to a fraternity, and a no parking sign, belonging to the City of Manhattan. RCPD says a criminal damage to property report was filed Friday morning listing the City and Beta Theta Pi as victims. The estimated total loss is approximately $535. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers. Successful tips may qualify you for a cash reward.

A Manhattan man is jailed on a Riley County District Court warrant alleging rape and aggravated sexual battery. According to the Riley County Police Department, 23-year-old Christopher Harris was arrested Sunday in the 2200 block of Claflin Road. The warrant stems from a Sept. 1 incident involving Harris and a female victim. Harris remains jailed on a $20,000 bond. RCPD is also investigating a separate rape incident reported early Saturday morning by a 30-year-old woman alleging an unknown woman as the suspect. Due to the nature of the crimes, no further information is being released.

With the deadline for the 2023 farm bill fast approaching, the message from commodity groups to Congress continues to be for expansion of the ag safety net. The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center hosted a roundtable that included Kansas U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, Arkansas U.S. Sen. John Boozman and members from 17 different organizations, sharing concerns for what they hope gets into the massive spending bill, which comes before Congress every five years. “What we’re trying to do is get out and about the country to hear different perspectives as to how we need to re-work the farm bill. We do…

Kansas State University has been named a “Best Value College for 2023,” by the Princeton Review. The publication noted K-State is among 209 top colleges and universities for academics, career readiness and affordability. Among the seven categories of ranking lists, K-State is No. 2 for best alumni networks, No. 2 for internships and No. 10 for making an impact. The full report from K-State Marketing & Communications is available here. In a statement, K-State Provost Charles Taber said the ranking show the university’s “approach to preparing students for professional careers is valuable and valued.” The Princeton Review’s list is based…

The second annual Run for the Roses is taking place Saturday, a 5K run and 1K walk to help raise funds for the Kansas State University Gardens. That’s race organizer Terry Olson. Proceeds from Saturday’s event help Friends of the K-State Gardens perform annual maintenance and purchase new displays for the garden, as noted by Scott McElwain, Director of the gardens. Olson says last year’s event raised $28,000. Run for the Roses begins at 9 a.m. Saturday and will feature celebrity runners and walkers, including K-State President Richard Linton and wife Sally, former K-State Coach Bill Snyder, retiring K-State Alumni Association…

Manhattan City Commissioner Usha Reddi says she’ll resign from the commission next week. In an email to KMAN Thursday, the veteran commissioner said she has informed City Manager Ron Fehr that Tuesday, May 2 will be her final meeting. Her decision comes following her appointment to the State Senate in January to serve the remainder of former Sen. Tom Hawk’s term. Reddi has been a member of the Manhattan City Commission for 10 years, having been elected in 2013, 2017 and 2021. The city commission passed a resolution earlier this year that allows voters to elect four commissioners rather than…

Manhattan Mayor Mark Hatesohl will seek another term on the Manhattan City Commission. Hatesohl is currently in his third term, having previously served also from 2003 to 2009, before being elected again in 2019. He becomes the first city commission candidate to file for the 2023 election cycle.  In a statement, Hatesohl says “these times call for strong leadership and problem-solving capabilities in our community,” asserting himself as a “champion for creating an environment conducive to business success.” His priorities will be continued economic growth, community revitalization and fiscal responsibility. Hatesohl is the owner of Chiropractic Family Health Center in…

A Kansas State University senior from Pottawatomie County is a recipient of a Fulbright grant from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Tess Fairbanks, of Onaga, will be placed at a teacher training college in Argentina as an English teaching assistant through the Fulbright program. Fairbanks is a senior in secondary education and Spanish. Fulbright grant recipients receive round-trip transportation, tuition when applicable and a monthly living stipend for one academic year abroad. According to a release from K-State, Fairbanks has also been involved in the K-State Honors Program, the Iota Xi chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society,…

Manhattan Area Technical College will host its Open House Thursday. The ESL program will be presenting “Around the World with ESL” as an opportunity for the public to learn about the cultures and traditions of international students at MATC. Countries represented will include Mexico, Brazil, Mongolia, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and more. It will include chances to see traditional clothing, sampling of authentic food and drinks and participation in cultural games and activities. Presentations will take place in the lobby of Building 307 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.