Author: Rhonda Zellweger

Riley County commissioners have postponed public hearings for the 2023 countywide, and Fire District No. 1 proposed budgets. County Clerk Rich Vargo explains.  The new Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and the adoption of a proposed budget are separate procedures. The RNR procedure was followed correctly, so those public hearings were still held Monday morning. The commissioners unanimously resolved to approve the RNRs. The proposed budget was published in the Manhattan Mercury prior to being audited. Vargo says they’ve already scheduled the revised publication. Both the overall county and the Fire District 1 2023 proposed-budget public hearings are now scheduled for…

Riley County Emergency Management Coordinator Laurie Harrison explained the Saturday evening sounding of the outdoor warning sirens in the southern portion of Riley County. As the storm, with a history of significant damage approached the area, Emergency Management authorized activating the outdoor warning sirens. They did so out of concern for public safety, as there was post-game outdoor socializing, and out-of-town visitors were camping and likely unfamiliar with the area. People were confused about why the sirens sounded, and Harrison says communication technology contributed to that. Riley County Emergency Management Director Russel Stukey says the county will send out its…

The C Clyde Run and Midge’s Mile had an uninvited guest Saturday. The fundraiser’s namesake, C Clyde Jones, says this is the first time in ten years his fundraiser for Shepherd’s Crossing has been rained out. Neither rolling thunder nor downpouring rain could dampen anybody’s spirit at the event. Would-be runners lined up, crowded under a pavilion, to get a hug from the local celebrity. Jones agreed he’s likely the reason there was a large crowd despite the weather conditions at Frank Anneberg Park in Manhattan.  In June, hundreds of guests celebrated with Jones, who suffered a medical emergency the…

As the KMAN Severe Weather Center was broadcasting warnings over the air Saturday evening, the Outdoor Warning Sirens sounded at 9:55 p.m. in Riley County. While there was no threat of tornado, many residents interpreted the sirens as such. KMAN and other Manhattan Broadcasting Company staff quickly reviewed the latest alerts from the National Weather Service in Topeka, and confirmed there continued to be no threat of tornadoes. Programming was again interrupted to reassure the listening area that there was no tornado, however there continued to be a threat of 70mph or higher winds. Later staff learned the Emergency Management…

Although construction has already begun on the Tracz Family Band Hall at K-State, the community celebrated the future home of the band on Friday. Instead of the typical shovels for the ground-breaking, the demolition of a wall was started. Band Director Dr. Frank Tracz says students and directors since the inception of K-State’s Band have all contributed to this important milestone. However, he is still honored to have the new hall named after his family since they have accepted his absence at many family functions for three decades. Tracz says band members have other responsibilities such as attending classes, so…

K-State will celebrate Cancer Research Week September 12th through 17th. Sherry Fleming, Director of Johnson Cancer Research Center, says most people aren’t aware of the extensive research being done in Manhattan: The week includes speakers at locations both on and off campus, and two fundraisers. Fleming says a small portion of the donations are awarded to students for educational pursuits, but 95% of the proceeds will support cancer research. She says the week starts with making people aware of the facility and the research they’re performing from multiple angles. Monday starts the celebration with an Open House at Johnson Cancer Research Center,…

The Flint Hills Wellness Coalition will host a community health meeting at the Family and Child Resource Center in Manhattan on Thursday. Flint Hills Wellness Coalition Chair Debbie Nuss says they will define and prioritize community health goals for the next three to five years:  The meeting will begin with data that was collected by Wichita State University’s Center for Applied Research and Evaluation (CARE), who administered a community survey, and interviewed community members. Riley County Health Educator Shanika Rose shares the most cited concerns from the study. Rose says it’s important for the community to be involved in setting…

About 55 miles of historic fences exist along a route in the Flint Hills, identified as the Native Stone Scenic Byway. Mary Mertz belongs to a group dedicated to preserving the structures. She describes a fundraiser at The Lazy T Ranch on September 10th. Mertz says crafters, artists, authors, photographers, and florists are offered free space to set up a table, and there is still room. Use Facebook messenger to contact them. She says the funds are use to preserve local history. In 1867, a law to protect crops, abolished the open range on the prairie, and provided 40…

Riley County Public Information Officer Vivienne Uccello proposed an update to the employee social media policy at Monday’s Commissioner meeting. It mainly applies to the deletion of public comments on county-run sites. Uccello explains what will be deleted: She said while private companies can delete any comment they want to; the county rarely deletes comments because it is a 1st amendment right to criticize the government. Staff will flag suspicious comments, and a supervisor will review it. The policy applies to all departments. The commissioners unanimously approved the update.  Health Department Director Julie Gibbs told the commissioners about a suicide-prevention grant she…

Local celebrity and philanthropist C. Clyde Jones is the namesake of the annual C Clyde Run, which raises funds for Shepherd’s Crossing. Jones shares why, at 99 years old, he continues to help fundraise. Jones was the first dean of K-State’s College of Business Administration, which hosts C Clyde Run and Midge’s Mile Fun Run/Walk, which is the namesake of Jones’ late wife.  Jones, who turns 100 years old in December, suffered a serious stroke last month. He reports he is doing great now; in fact, he plans to attend the annual fundraiser at Anneberg Park next month so he…