Author: Peter Rice

One of Manhattan’s oldest traditions returned on Saturday with the 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day road races and parade. The event included a 2 mile fun run and the annual Marvin Hachmeister 10K road race throughout Aggieville. Shawn Wiler was the winner of the 10k with a time of 35:37 and is a first-time participant in this event. After finishing he said… “I’m glad I could come out here and run this race. Where I’m from doesn’t have a 10k or any kind of race, so I’m happy I could use my talents and have some fun.” Wiler is…

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Over 800 athletes and coaches from across the state will be pouring into Manhattan for the upcoming Special Olympics state basketball tournament. It’s the second consecutive year Manhattan has hosted the two-day event. Special Olympics Kansas Senior Program Director Krystin Guggisberg gave a rundown of Friday’s events. “We’re starting at Anthony at 10 with our skills competition and cheer competition taking place. Those will take a couple of hours. Then at lunchtime, we’ll start our basketball play. And that actually is at both Anthony and Eisenhower. And then this evening, we actually have a banquet and a dance over at…

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The Flint Hills Woodturners demonstrated the art of wood turning Wednesday at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. They were formed in 2013 and are the longest recurring group to attend the event at five years straight. The Manhattan area club is a Part of the Discovery Center’s “Meet the Makers” art event that lasts March 12-15.

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The Manhattan City Commission discussed funding strategies for wastewater treatment plant upgrades during Tuesday’s work session. The city is planning to use a low-interest loan through the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund. Commissioners expressed support for the city’s idea to work with Kansas State University also on a project funding opportunity to obtain grant money from the federal government. “I think it’s pretty proactive to try to go after this grant because it will put us ahead of the game if we get surprises from the federal government on changes,” said Mayor Wynn Butler. City officials also believe the improvements to…

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The city of Manhattan will host the second annual Kansas Special Olympics basketball and cheerleading tournament this weekend. The event takes place at Anthony and Eisenhower recreation centers on both Friday and Saturday. Manhattan chamber of commerce sales manager Marcia Rozell detailed the event… Scorekeeping volunteers are still needed for the basketball tournament. All information can be found here

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The Manhattan Branch of the American Association of University Women held their annual celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday night. Kansas Senator Usha Reddi hosted the 9th annual event that highlighted four local women, originally from other countries, who now call Manhattan home. Gnieszka Lasko is a graduate student and a native of Poland who found community here… Lasko also said she was able to meet piano teachers in Manhattan very early on who shared resources and invited her to piano studios. The four guests spoke on their journeys to America and took questions from the audience. Claudia Petrescu,…

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A Manhattan woman was arrested Thursday evening for attempting to strangle a female corrections officer. Tiffany Ryals was jailed on charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (LEO), battery on a LEO, and criminal destruction of property. Officers at the Riley County jail listed a 37 year old female RCPD corrections officer as the victim. Ryals remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

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Riley County emergency coordinator Laurie Harrison says the recent state-wide tornado drill went off without a hitch. Harrison says being prepared is the key to staying safe during severe weather. She also says to check local radio when sirens are going off. The city of Manhattan has 25 outdoor emergency sirens, and the rest of Riley County has 11. Severe weather preparedness week continues through Friday.

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The Flint Hills Discovery Center will be hosting the 9th annual Meet the Makers art event March 12 through 15. Each day a local creator, crafter, or maker will present live demonstrations of their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the first-floor atrium of the Discovery Center. The event is free and visitors are encouraged to interact with the artists, ask questions, and see their work come to life. Schedule of Events: Tuesday, March 12: After Hours Photography – Jessica Crow  will demonstrate Ghost Photography, discuss photography in general, and have cameras on display. Wednesday, March 13: Flint…

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A new plaque donning the names of 50 Pottawatomie County veterans was unveiled to the public Monday. County Commission Chair Dee McKee hosted a public reception in Westmoreland. Public Information Officer Becky Ryan says the memorial, first dedicated in 1992, will continue to add names of Pottawatomie County veterans. Each brass plate can hold 50 names. Plates will be added to the monument as they are filled. Names of veterans currently on the memorial can be viewed here.

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