Author: Rhonda Zellweger

Wamego held their 36th annual Tulip Festival over the weekend, despite Mother Nature’s attempt to interrupt the celebration. Wamego Chamber of Commerce Event and Tourism Coordinator Tegan Kreider downplayed the strong wind in true Kansan style. The tulips held up to the heavy rain and subsequent strong wind like champions. But vendors were physically holding their tents from blowing away in the 30mph wind, with gusts of 45mph Sunday. The previous day it was cold with heavy rainfall, which flooded tents causing a few of the more than 165 vendors to leave the park to protect their product. But most…

There was a crowd on the lawn of the Family and Child Resource Center in Manhattan Saturday morning. Julie Gibbs, Director of the Riley County Health Department explains. Inside the building, families could explore the services available and receive free goodies, while the Easter Bunny was outside dropping eggs and candy all over their yard. Ten-year-old Manhattan resident, Hana Alemie is one of the more than 400 residents who attended the new event. Alemie, a Northview Elementary student, didn’t hunt for treats herself, instead choosing to help her eight-year-old brother and five-year-old sister. Gibbs says she’s pleasantly surprised by…

The Student Union was the hub of the annual K-State Open House, but the wonderful smell before entering the building was thanks to Thompson’s BBQ Smokehouse. Registered K-State Caterer, Ervin Thompson, was cooking up and selling his delicious food to help the community. Thompson says he decided to help the shelters after learning they are in need of baby supplies. There’s still an opportunity to help out and enjoy some great food. Thompson says he will continue to support community members. He remembers how his community helped him when he was in need. The BBQ Chef is featured at many K-State…

Update: 8:30 p.m. Sunday Two people have been charged in connection to a suspected double homicide in Junction City. The Junction City Police Department says 33-year-old Steven Pierce and 29-year-old Kallie Peters, both of Junction City, were located in Michigan and arrested on two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of felony theft. Investigators say the pair are suspected of killing 75-year-old Valerie Krissman and 80-year-old Roland Krissman, whose bodies were discovered by JCPD following a welfare check Saturday evening, in the 700 block of West 1st Street. Autopsies will be conducted later this…

Manhattan’s popular Third Thursday has some improvements this year. Downtown Manhattan Executive Director Gina Snyder says the first change is the event’s start date. The event series will begin in June instead of May but will still run for five months. Snyder says the normally outdoor-only party is also changing for the better. Artists will now be located inside vendor’s establishments; but music, dancing and other entertainment will remain on the sidewalks. Snyder says the changes are a result of the unpredictable Kansas weather, but says there’s more good news. Performers and Artists interested in entertaining at Third Thursday can apply at:…

Aggieville’s popular Fill the ‘Ville with Green Road Race enjoyed a record setting 1,500 participants Saturday morning, despite the bitter cold wind. It’s Manhattan’s oldest running event, and a home-town man crossed the finish line at 32 minutes 14 seconds, winning the 10K. Joe Moore says he moved away for awhile but again lives in the area. Moore says he’s run in the Saint Patty’s Day race about 25 times and has won the race five or six of those years. He ran with his parents as a child and says he’s participated in the Aggieville race since he was…

Riley County Commissioners are supportive of creating a task force to determine the future of the Riley County Fairgrounds. The KSU Foundation has proposed using their future livestock arena near the Stanley Stout Center as a centerpiece for what could become the new home of the Riley County Fair as well as the Kaw Valley Rodeo. The new 3,000 seat climate-controlled arena will break ground in January 2024. Riley County Extension Director Gary Fike noted Monday that fair board members in January decided that addressing current parking issues and maintenance with its facilities at CiCo Park, including Pottorf Hall are…

Ice on top of the water at Tuttle Creek State Park didn’t stop plungers Sunday. The annual Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics topped $10,000 just as teams began jumping into the frigid water. Junction City Police entered a team dressed as their main food group. Chief John Lamb explains.   Lamb says the event is enjoyable and a lot of fun, but there’s another reason for the freezin’.  RCPD’s new Director Brian Peete enjoyed his first day at the beach in his new hometown.  Members of his agency were dressed in costumes with a Rock ‘n Roll theme. After receiving…

The Flint Hills Breadbasket celebrated the Manhattan Souper Bowl on Saturday. The event began in 1995 and encourages residents to give canned goods to help stock the pantry’s shelves with warm soup for cold months. St Thomas More Knights of Columbus member, Kelly Adams, was helped collect donations at Dillons Saturday morning. Some of the Manhattan High Boys Basketball team was at Dillons helping out. Landon Knopp explains.   Their cart was filling up so quickly, they were moving donations to pallets. Miles Braxmeyer says he’s impressed with the community’s generosity.   Jason Kim explains why it’s important for the team…

The Riley County Attorney’s Office presented an odd request to the Board of County Commissioners Thursday County Attorney Barry Wilkerson says the prolonged closure of trial courts during the pandemic created a large backlog of cases. While he says his office has made progress getting the most serious felony cases through the system, a backlog of other lower level cases still remain. “We don’t usually come to the commission in February and ask for help, but this is something I think in the short term would be beneficial to us and also I believe it would be beneficial to the…