Author: Troy Coverdale

While the year-long closure of Kimball between North Manhattan and Denison Avenues is likely to draw plenty of consternation from drivers, it was the subject of praise Thursday at an event hosting KDOT Secretary Julie Lorenz. The latest phase of the North Campus Corridor project is being mostly funded by a KDOT grant. Lorenz praised it because of the impacts tied to NBAF, the Edge Collaborative District and K-State Athletics. She noted how the full project has a widespread impact because of the presence of NBAF, the BRI and the Edge Collaborative District, plus K-State’s athletic facilities. Manhattan Mayor Wynn…

The latest coronavirus outbreak in schools locally has been confirmed at Wamego’s Central Elementary. Interim USD 320 Superintendent Greg Mann says four students and four staff members tested positive for the virus, prompting a Monday closure to allow for all staff members to be tested. Mann said Wednesday on KMAN’s In Focus that a number of students are either utilizing quarantine classrooms or are participating in the “Test to Stay” program, administered by two nurses for the school. Mann says the district has been able to stay ahead of most coronavirus-related matters, however.

A well earned week off with pay will be given to K-State staff. Last Thursday, President Richard Myers put out an email to K-State faculty and staff about receiving a week off with pay. Myers acknowledged the staff members for the accomplishments they’ve made navigating through the pandemic. To show gratitude he mentioned employees will get the week of Dec. 27- Dec. 31 off, with pay. Employees won’t be required to take leave during the holiday break. Myers says there will be some exclusions, including temporary and student employees. If student employees are scheduled to work, they must do so.…

As Congress continues to look at a reconcilliation measure, one area that could impact Kansas State University would be funding for new or renovated agricultural research facilities at the nation’s land grant schools. Dean of K-State’s College of Agriculture Dr. Ernie Minton tells KMAN the needs are a result of what was a building boom for those facilities in the 50’s and 60’s. Minton tells KMAN one reason the funding is needed is tied to national security. Minton says the Kansas delegation is working with K-State to ensure that there’s some funding included, even if the Build Back Better package…

A first ever five-year strategic plan for the city of Manhattan is the subject of an open house at City Hall Thursday night. Contractor Planning NEXT presented a draft plan to the City Commission last month and Sara Bongiorno notes that draft was influenced by community input from the spring. Bongiorno says the first two rounds of engagement resulted in them gaining input from approximately two thousand residents. In developing a vision statement, Bongiorno says there was a concerted effort to come up with the phrasing of “unparalleled university and military partnerships.” Presenting the draft plan to the City Commission…

The Manhattan City Commission approved a new revenue bond program for developers who want to build speculative industrial buildings within city limits. The program would provide tax relief for builders who construct at least 50-thousand square feet in industrial space. It would give as much as a 95-percent abatement over the first five years if 50-percent or more of the building is leased. That number would then be 50-percent for years six-through-ten. Mayor Wynn Butler was enthusiastic about putting the plan in place. Commissioners Usha Reddi and Linda Morse did have one area of concern, seeking language in the agreements…

Update as of 4:00 pm on 10/04/21 The Geary County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim of a shooting that took place on Sunday. 22 year old Enfinnity Latania Hayes, of Pensacola, Florida, was the victim. The incident took place at the Milford State Park Group Shelter around 8:30 pm at Milford State Park. Hayes was approached by a male described as 6’1” or taller dressed in all black. The suspect approached Hayes and her husband and attempted to rob the couple at gun point. There was a gun shot and the victim fell to the ground and she was…

Not quite a year after his passing, a crowd gathered at the Kansas State University Alumni Assocation Friday to celebrate the life of agricultural economics professor Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh. The farm policy heavyweight who harbored a love of cigars passed away November 2nd of last year. Former Senator Pat Roberts first met Flinchbaugh when working for then-Congressman Keith Sebelius. That first meeting came as they shared the backseat of a car on a trip to Oklahoma. The two worked on agricultural policy issues over nearly five decades and Roberts said that while the issues may have been serious, the conversations…

A process to resettle Afghans displaced by the upheaval when U.S. forces left their country will see the first group arrive in Manhattan in coming weeks. Manhattan-Ogden Schools USD 383 Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid addressing the county’s intergovernmental group earlier this week, as a local organizing group has been working in preparation ahead of refugees moving to the area. Reid said the early number he had been given was that the first group would total 50 in number and be coming the region within two weeks.

The weekly positive rate of coronavirus on campus at Kansas State University has dipped to its lowest point of the fall. According to the school’s weekly testing data dashboard, only nine people on campus tested positive for the virus last week out of 506 who were given tests. That’s a positive rate for the week of one-point-78. KSU Chief of Staff and Director of Community Relations Linda Cook says the school has been able to avoid outbreaks due to being proactive. The decline to the low percentage comes after a peak of an over eight-percent positive rate the week following Labor Day.