Author: Troy Coverdale

Sunset Zoo will be open for the weekend of the Fourth plus the end of the three-day holiday weekend on the fifth, for those looking for something to do. Melissa Kirkwood tells KMAN, however, those visiting should be prepared that construction of the new Asian exhibit area is ongoing. Kirkwood tells KMAN that one of the advantages of the zoo’s setup is that it can remain open while construction is ongoing. Sloth bears that will be part of Expedition Asia were are undergoing familiarization with trainers after being brought to the zoo from Idaho Falls. The new display area is…

After years of haggling over sites, needs and how best to set up for training purposes, the Riley County Police Firearms Range is officially open.  Riley County Commissioner John Ford, other commissioners and the county’s Law Board and RCPD Director Dennis Butler participated in a ribbon cutting ahead of an open house Wednesday morning. Butler says that being sharp when put into a situations where a service weapon might be fired means more than just practice on the range. The range includes two firearms training zones plus a building anchored by a classroom for training sessions. Butler says Riley County…

Greater Manhattan Community Foundation President and CEO Vern Henricks has been honored by a declaration read today live on KMAN by Mayor Wynn Butler. Henricks has served in his role with the GMCF for eight years, a stretch that has seen the foundation increase its asset base three-fold. He will be installed as District Governor of Rotary this evening. The Kansas State alum has been involved in fundraising and development in Manhattan since 1997, including stints with the K-State Foundation and Manhattan Christian College.

The Riley County Law Board heard Monday from two members of a working group that is discussing recommendations and ideas for what’s termed “fair and impartial policing”. Four members of the police department, four from the Manhattan – Riley County Coalition for Equal Justice and Law Board member Dr. Be Stoney comprise the working group. RCPD Captain Josh Kyle said the group’s formation can be traced back to community discussions that began in 2015. CEJ member Dr. Lorenza Lockett noted the group’s recommendations include calls for leadership. Butler said he was pleased that the batch of recommendations were similar to…

The Riley County Law Board Monday approved a three-point-five-seven percent increase in the Police Department’s budget for fiscal 2022. The budget of nearly 23-million dollars passed on a 5-2 vote, with Riley County Commissioners John Ford and Kathryn Focke voting against it. The board earlier had approved use of coronavirus relief funds from the federal government to fund pay increases of two-percent starting July 1st. RCPD Captain Josh Kyle, also noting that a cost-of-living increase of one-percent was included in the proposed budget. He says one aid in keeping the budget in line is tracking overtime costs. RCPD Director Dennis Butler…

The Manhattan City Commission has an item related to the proposed Museum of Art and Light, and Mayor Wynn Butler tells KMAN that the state’s Secretary of Commerce has signed off on the sales tax revenue bonds necessary for the project. Robert and Tracey DeBruyn have put together the plans for the museum which would be built next to the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The funding is estimated as 23-million dollars through the STAR bonds and 21-million through private donations. The city is required to amend it’s planning documents to adjust for the STAR usage.

The American Red Cross and health care facilities have put out the urgent call for blood donations. Ascension Via Christi President Bob Copple tells KMAN, the hospital recently had it’s usual re-stocking not take place because of the lack of blood taken in through donations. He adds it’s an unexpected consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. Copple says there’s a good reason tied to coronavirus to give blood. Blood supply levels are also running short because of an increase in patients at trauma centers needing blood, according to the Red Cross. The organization says that there has been a 10-percent jump…

A three-million dollar donation from the managing partners of Gates Capital Management will see creation of a financial analysis center in Kansas State University’s College of Business Administration. Alums Jeff Gates and Justin Boisseau made the donation that will result in the center being named after their firm. The center will be housed in the Department of Finance and is expected to aid students preparing for careers in investment banking, asset management, consulting and more. Current resources, including the Gates Capital Management Stock Pitch Competition and the speaker series named after the firm, will become part of the new center.…

The 2021 street maintenance projects for the City of Manhattan have gotten underway. The City’s annual street maintenance projects started this weekend with asphalt mill and overlay on Marlatt Avenue. This project is taking place between Browning Avenue and Seth Child Road. Several projects starting this week will take place on 8th, 9th, 10th, and Delware Streets from Poyntz Avenue to Colorado Street. Road maintenance starting next week is College Heights from Sunset Avenue to College Avenue. The following week will be Wyndham Heights. The public should be expecting parking restrictions and traffic delays while work is in progress. You…

Ascension Via Christi has updated its visitor guidelines to guard against coronavirus outbreaks developing. President Bob Copple tells KMAN that while the guidelines are changing, there are still some things to be aware of for those visiting the hospital. The hospital will now allow patients in the 3rd floor unit to be able swap out which two visitors are allowed in each day, rather than designating just two for the length of their stay. ER patients and those getting outpatient surgery will now be allowed two visitors. Other limits remain in place, including the two support people limit for women…