The calendar is packed full of celebrations at the Flint Hills Discovery Center this month. The Center hosted Breakfast with Santa last Saturday. The Breeden Family was happy to visit with Santa and learn more about the Flint Hills. The Zimmerman Family are members of the Discovery Center. Santa is visiting the Center again December 10th, but the breakfast is sold out. However, there’s a Family New Year’s Eve Celebration planned for Saturday December 31st 6:30 to 9 p.m. Curator of Education Sally Dreher talks about the event. The Center also hosts Day Camps for Kindergarteners through 2nd graders…
Author: Rhonda Zellweger
Rhonda Zellweger
Rhonda is a retired public employee from Syracuse, New York; mom to two grown daughters; and a lifelong community volunteer. She was traveling in her camper after retirement when she discovered Kansas, then fell hard for the Flint Hills community. She bought a house in Manhattan, parked her camper, and KMAN taught the old dog new tricks. Being a reporter has only deepened her love of her new hometown. But, she thinks SU Basketball is the best. Go, ORANGE! contact her at: rhonda@1350kman.com
Friday evening brought bitter cold wind to Manhattan, but hundreds turned out anyway for the 21st Annual Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade. The route started at 3rd and Poyntz, turned onto 11th, then ended on Fremont at City Park. The nearly 70 entries decorated their vehicles and walking members in lights. USD 383 was represented throughout the parade. Manhattan High School’s Marching Band played many holiday songs while glide-stepping in formation. A school bus decked out in lights was filled with bus drivers throwing candy to the crowd. Mayor Linda Morse appreciates the awareness the parade brings to the…
Riley County Commissioners have proclaimed November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month. Commission Chair Greg McKinley says the State of Kansas is historically home to many native nations including – the Kaw, Osage, and Pawnee. Nathan Dixon accepted the honor on behalf of the Native Americans of Riley County. McKinley noted that Kansas is currently home to four federally recognized native tribes: Prairie Band Potawatomi; the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas; the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska; and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska. McKinley also proclaimed Small Business Saturday is November 26. Here is a couple…
The Lakeside Heights Sewer District #3 and the University Park Water District #4 projects continue to face challenges. Between a 43% increase in costs, and enduring six years of little progress with a lack of accurate and complete information, the projects are likely to be abandoned. Another Public Hearing regarding the special tax districts was well attended Monday at the Riley County Commissioners Meeting. Riley County Deputy Counselor Craig Cox delivered grim news to the property owners. Some residents asked about a variance, but the county cannot approve variances beyond State limitations, which is 0.8 acres minimum for a water well or…
A status hearing was held Tuesday for a pair of former Wamego school teachers accused of unlawful sexual relations with a former student. 51-year-old Allen Sylvester and his 55-year-old wife Deborah Sylvester appeared before Pottawatomie County Judge Erich Campbell, but neither defendant spoke as the decision was made to move the case forward. The couple will next appear in Pottawatomie County District Court for a Feb. 10 preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. Allen Sylvester was arrested in late May for the December 2019 offense. He was also arrested in June for a September 2020 offense of the same charge in…
K-State’s College of Education recently recognized a local teacher with a $5,000 community service stipend. A nationally board-certified math teach at Manhattan High School was recently recognized for her outstanding and impactful educational initiatives beyond the classroom. Jancy Davis is developing after-hours math tutoring and assistance for students in both face-to-face and online formats. She’s also offering high school students international travel opportunities during summer break. Davis is one of only eight Kansas State University College of Education alumni across Kansas to receive the community service stipend award from the Today’s Teacher Program. The program enhances K-State’s teacher preparation by…
Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo reminds the community that polls are already open. Vargo says this is a great time to take advantage of the early voting allowed in Kansas. Vargo recommends reading the sample ballot on Riley County’s website, or stopping by to pick up a printed copy. He said the county cannot change the wording, which often confuses people. Voting ends on election day – Tuesday, November 8th.
Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Rogers was in Riley County Friday to present prizes to USD 383. He visited two elementary schools. Rogers presented $2,500 to Ogden Elementary School and $1,000 to Lee Elementary ESOL teacher Heidi Peoples. The randomly drawn prizes will purchase school supplies. There were more than 2,300 nominations in the Choose My School Supply Drive. The giveaway is a result of Learning Quest 529 accounts, which are designed to help Kansans save in tax-advantaged accounts for education expenses. Up to $3,000 can be attributed per taxpayer annually to reduce gross income. Learning Quest is one of three…
The Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy at K-State has some upcoming events that will promote conversations and the acceptance of varied perspectives. Director and Associate Professor of Communications, Dr. Colene Lind talks about an event on Wednesday. They’ve also collaborated with the Beach Museum in Manhattan to bring a new exhibit Do you see what I see? to patrons. The museum is known for making art interactive, and this exhibition will foster important conversations. The exhibit will be introduced officially to the public by a panel of twelve, many of which are K-State communications students, on Thursday November 3rd. The…
Wamego High School was full of excitement late Thursday evening. The community packed the gymnasium awaiting the return of 25 veterans and their student guardians after a whirlwind tour of the nation’s capital. At 9 p.m. flashing lights of police vehicles approached the high school, followed by a line of Veteran Bikers, and finally the tour bus of honorees. Wamego High School Senior Keauna Meyer escorted an Army Veteran. Larry Duch was an artillery soldier in Vietnam in 1970 and 71. Duch expressed gratitude for the handmade quilt that was wrapped around him as Meyer introduced him to hundreds of guests.…