Author: Brandon Peoples

Tuesday’s Manhattan City Commission meeting was the final one for Usha Reddi, who stepped down after 10 years of service to Manhattan. Reddi, who was appointed earlier this year to serve the remainder of Sen. Tom Hawk’s term in the Kansas Senate, says she was able to juggle the two jobs this session with little challenge, noting the city commission job was her comfort zone these past four months. “I’ve always been one that if I take something off I put something back on it. When I first came on the city commission, I was also a full-time teacher and…

A panel discussion, hosted by Farm Journal Foundation and Kansas State University Tuesday at the Stanley Stout Center, focused on how agricultural innovations can mitigate global hunger and malnutrition. It included Kansas 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann, who says investing in agricultural innovation strengthens the safety net for producers and people around the world, likening food security to national security. Pennsylvania Congressman and House Ag Committee Chair Glenn Thompson noted the issue of food security came to the forefront during the pandemic amid supply chain shutdowns and shortages. Also pressuring the global food system is the ongoing war in Ukraine,…

A Manhattan man is behind bars on charges of theft and driving under the influence. Riley County Police say 28-year-old Jesus Blanco was jailed just after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 2600 block of Farm Bureau Road. Responding officers found a 43-year-old man whose pickup was stolen while he was working in an attached trailer. The man was able to step out of the trailer as the truck and trailer drove away, striking a speed limit sign in the process. Blanco then reportedly fled, running north onto Linear Trail. He then walked back toward the site of the crash while…

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…