The Riley County Commission has distributed the first round of Riley County CARES Business Grants. Through the initial round of this program, about $591,735.97 was granted to around 40 Riley County businesses. These funds are the first of about $2.5 million that the county commission has set aside for small-business support. Businesses that are eligible to receive Riley County CARES grants can receive up to $15 thousand, or $16,500 for certain businesses if they are minority, women or veteran-owned. According to a release from the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, eligible applicants must meet the following criteria: • Be a…
Author: KMAN Staff
Kansas State University is planning to downscale commencement ceremonies this fall in response to increasing COVID-19 case numbers in Kansas. The ceremonies, which will take place Nov. 20-22, will not involve speeches or processionals. However, students will still be able to take part in an on-stage recognition and photo opportunities involving graduation gowns and diploma covers. Friends and family members of graduates will be asked to watch the ceremonies virtually to eliminate travel. K-State had previously planned for short speeches and to allow each graduating student to have two guests in attendance. Going forward, 2020 graduates (spring, summer and fall) …
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in the search for two trailers that have been stolen in the past week. The first theft occurred between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 at a work site in the 4000 block of Tyler Court on the Pottawatomie County side of Manhattan. It involved a black enclosed single-axle trailer with a white top and silver trim. Between the trailer and the construction tools it contained, losses are estimated at about $15,000. The second theft took place place between Nov. 1 and 2 in the 5500 block of Kaw Valley Rd.…
Riley County has reported that 86 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 39 recoveries have been identified since Wednesday. This brings the county’s total number of active cases to 192 and recoveries to 2,193. Ascension Via Christi Hospital is currently caring for four COVID-19 positive patients and four persons under investigation. Four of these patients, one COVID-19 positive patient and three persons under investigation, are in the Intensive Care Unit. Riley County has also identified Via Christi Village senior living facility and Beta Sigma Psi fraternity as new COVID-19 outbreak locations. This brings the total number of active outbreaks in…
Holiday season is right around the corner, and Manhattan has several holiday events coming up. Karen Hibbard, Director of Manhattan Convention Visitor Bureau, tells KMAN that Sunday, November 8th is the first holiday event of the season. “Holiday open-house downtown is happening. There are over 15 businesses that are actively participating. We encourage you, it’s supposed to be a nice day again on Sunday, to get a head start on some holiday shopping in our stores that are uniquely Manhattan,” says Hibbard. The downtown event will be from 1:00 to 5:00 PM and is a great way to shop local.…
On Friday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with Karen Hibbard with the Conventions and Visitors Bureau. We also spoke with Gregg Eyestone with KSRE. Director of McCain Auditorium Todd Holmberg also joined the program. And in our final segment we spoke with Ryan Courtright with the Manhattan Fire Department.
The superintendent of Manhattan/Ogden Schools says the district is anticipating a return to on-site learning five days per week at the start of 2021. In a letter to district families and staff Thursday, Dr. Marvin Wade stated that “unless there are drastic changes to the Coronavirus metrics, the five-day-a-week schedule will begin Jan. 5.” To help prepare for the transition, Wade outlined a partial list of additional COVID mitigation efforts that have been initiated. Families will again have an opportunity to move between instructional delivery models. Class size ranges effective January 5 have already been determined based upon district commitments.…
Riley County has distributed $7 million in CARES act funding throughout the county. Speaking to the Riley County commission Thursday, Budget and Finance Officer Tami Robison wanted to update the commission and the public on how much money was going out to keep up with transparency. $591,000 is going to towards the small business and non-profit grant programs, with more to be distributed later on. Riley County departments and agencies have received $1.3 million. The City of Manhattan have received all of their funds and have used them mostly for public health costs and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well…
With another spike of coronavirus cases in the area, Fort Riley soldiers will have limited access to Aggieville. Major General D.A. Sims recently issued a general order including information on prohibited locations for soldiers. Among the locations was Aggieville. Fort Riley soldiers are prohibited from visiting or patronizing Aggieville between 9 P.M. and 5 A.M. Service members are allowed to pick up take out from Aggieville restaurants between the hours of 5 A.M. to 9 P.M and patronize at other businesses. Mask orders continue to stay in place when indoors at public or military facilities on Fort Riley, but are…
The Riley County Health Department is now offering free COVID-19 testing every Thursday through the end of the year, except for on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Julie Gibbs, Riley County Health Department director, says the free drive-thru testing events will take place at the barns in CiCo Park. “That will be consistent,” Gibbs said. “We found that that’s a really good location, especially if we have bad weather since you are under shelter and in the barn.” Those wanting to take part should enter CiCo Park at the intersection of Kimball Ave. and Candlewood Dr. Those interested in getting tested do…