Manhattan, Kan. — Dec. 6, 2024 — A partnership led by Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, the Manhattan Community Health Foundation and local healthcare providers has opened the Dispensary of Hope. This is an initiative to improve public health by providing free medication to low-income, uninsured individuals.

A ribbon-cutting and blessing of the facility will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, at 1:30 p.m. at 222 North 6th Street, Manhattan, Kan. The event is open to the public.

"We are grateful for the support of the Manhattan Community Health Foundation and local healthcare providers for their generous support in bringing this valuable resource to our community," said Bob Copple, president of Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. "This pharmacy will make a real difference in the lives of many people in our community who struggle to afford their medications."

The Dispensary of Hope provides access to a wide range of no-cost medications to uninsured individuals who make less than three times the federal poverty level. All patients who meet eligibility requirements and have a valid prescription are welcome to use the pharmacy without the need for a referral.

Rick Hernandez, director of the Manhattan Free Clinic, said, "The Dispensary of Hope has already proven to be an asset for our patients here at the Manhattan Free Clinic. We look forward to our partnership with them and watching our community benet from their amazing service and the significant cost savings they provide."

Danielle Hallgren, CEO of Konza Prairie Community Health Center, said, "This partnership recognizes the need for integrated healthcare services in our community. No one organization can meet that need entirely."

Local Healthcare Partnership Opens Dispensary of Hope in Manhattan

&nbsp;Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills WILL host its annual 5K event with an extra special 10-Year Birthday Celebration on Sunday, December 8 at the K-State Office Park. This event is more than a race—it's a celebration of empowerment, inspiration, and community, showcasing the strength and determination of girls in the community.

Girls on the Run is a physical activity-based, positive youth development program for girls in 3rd to 8th grade. The 10-week program combines fun running games with dynamic discussions to teach life skills, foster confidence, build friendships, and inspire community service. The season culminates in a celebratory 5K event where participants and their supporters come together to honor their achievements and amplify each other’s Star Power.

This year’s event is open to the public, with all proceeds benefiting Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills. The route will take participants on a down-and-back course from Denison to Marlatt Avenue. Last season’s 5K brought together over 500 participants, including program participants, families, friends, and community members.

The registration cost will be $30 for adults, $15 for children 14 and under. It will include Include an event shirt and a custom 10-Year Birthday Medal.

Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills Celebrates 10-Year Birthday 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Deshaun Durham walked out of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility on Friday morning with a big smile on his face. The 24-year-old from Manhattan was granted clemency by Gov. Laura Kelly after serving over 2.5 years behind bars.

"It's a surreal moment," Durham said. "It kind of feels like an out-of-body experience, feels like a dream, sometimes I've got to pinch myself to make sure its real."

Durham was sentenced in June of 2021 to 92 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 2.4 pounds of cannabis. The courts will typically give probation for people with no criminal history, which is why it was rare that Durham was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.

"He should not have been sent to prison for 2.4 pounds of marijuana for nine years," Barry Grissom, Durham's attorney, said. "When you think about it, it's a waste of taxpayer dollars. The amount of money that we spend in investigation, interdiction, arrest, prosecution and incarceration is money that could be better spent by law enforcement keeping us safe in our homes, as opposed to running a prohibition."

Durham expressed extreme gratitude to Donte West with the Last Prisoner Project, as well as Grissom, as both played integral parts in helping get his sentence reduced.

"It's good to have faith in people out there, working on you and making sure the right things happen," Durham said. "It's just nice knowing you can sleep better at night, knowing you've got people in place that are really devoted and motivated to getting you home."

Although Durham is grateful to be granted clemency, he was surprised that it happened.

"I was surprised, because it's something a lot of people do in the prison system and very few get it," Durham said. "When I got the news I got it, it was hard not to tear up a little bit, because it's just something that's so rare."

&nbsp;Durham was 20 at the time of the crime and says he has learned a lot from being incarcerated.

"I learned my lesson and now we're here, just ready to look forward and open a new chapter in my life," Durham said. "It's kind of taught me that prison isn't a place that I belong and it's not a place that anyone who gets caught with marijuana, something that is legal in a majority of the United States, deserves to be at. There is definitely some real tough characters in prison, and this place can change you for the worse."&nbsp;

Durham's mother, Brandi Davis, was also there to witness her son walking off the property after being released.

"When he called me from sentencing two and a half years ago and told me he got eight years, I was floored," Davis said. "I never imagined that he would get eight years, I thought he was joking. He asked me how he was going to do eight years in prison, I promised him two and a half years ago that I would do everything in my power to get him home. Luckily, I had people like Last Prisoner Project and Donte and Barry that absolutely supported him in every way and fought like hell to get him home. There really are no words. Deshaun hasn't been home for two and a half years. When I was decorating the house for Christmas, I thought about how Deshaun was going to be in all of our celebrations and he's going to be in the pictures this year."&nbsp;

The final night in the cell of the prison for Durham was one he was looking forward to.

"It was definitely hard to sleep, but it was kind of easy knowing it was going to be my last night sleeping in a prison bunk," Durham said. "I actually woke up about 3:30 in the morning and started getting ready and everything, making sure it wasn't a dream still, because it all feels so surreal."

Durham walked out of the prison with a Kansas City Chiefs sweatshirt on, hoping to get to the Sunday Night Football game against the Chargers in two days.

"That was definitely one of my first ideas, I'm trying to go to the game," Durham said with a smile on his face. "I watch every game, I don't tend to miss a game often, so I'm hoping to make it to the game on Sunday."

&nbsp;Gov. Kelly overturned the Prison Review Board's rejection of Durham's clemency application on Nov. 6.

"We were very very fortunate that we have an amazing governor for our state," Grissom said. "Governor Kelly exercised an immense amount of courage and wisdom to reduce this young man's sentence in light of what he said, is going on around the country, when you compare that to what's happening in Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, he should not have been sent to prison for 2.4 pounds of marijuana for nine years."

Durham is looking forward to turning his life around outside of the prison walls.

"I'm definitely interested in trying to help other people that are in prison for crimes like mine," Durham. "So no one else ends up like I did, without the support from everybody else around me, I would have had to have done my full eight-year sentence."

Durham hopes to attend welding school and start a family in the near future.

The Last Prisoner Project is a 501(c)(3) non profit that was founded in 2019 and works towards helping incarcerated cannabis offenders.&nbsp;

Manhattan man free from prison following action by Governor

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a burglary in Manhattan. Just after 11:30p.m. Thursday, officers filed a report of burglary and criminal destruction of property in the 700 block of Moro Street, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 54-year-old woman and 41-year old woman and Evergy reported the women's apartment had been broken into. Cash was taken and there was damage to the door jam and Evergy property. 

Total loss associated with this report exceeds $1,000.

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD investigating burglary at women's apartment

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Riley County Arrest Report December 6

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Fee Insurance Group is excited to announce the opening of its fifth location in Kansas, expanding into the Manhattan area. The new office, located at 555 Poyntz Ave, Suite 185, will enhance the company's ability to provide personalized and experienced insurance solutions to families, businesses, and communities across the region. To celebrate this expansion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 10th at 3:30 p.m.

President Bob Fee expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion: “Opening our Manhattan office is a testament to our commitment to Kansas communities. We’re excited to expand our reach and continue providing the high level of service that our clients expect from us, guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, leadership, and relationships.”

CEO Allen Fee added, “We are thrilled to grow across the state with our new office in Manhattan. Our already strong relationship with several key businesses in the area, most notably Steel and Pipe Supply, makes this expansion even more meaningful. We’re eager to bring our client-focused approach and passion for service to this vibrant community.”

Leading the growth in Manhattan is Lee Modesitt, who brings his strong leadership and a commitment to delivering an elevated client experience. As a longstanding Manhattan resident, Lee is excited to bring Fee’s 140-year legacy of excellence and relationships to the local community.

The Manhattan office marks a key step in Fee Insurance Group’s continued growth, as the company remains committed to remaining privately owned and perpetuating to another generation focused on its clients and communities.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.feeinsurancegroup.com/" target="_blank">www.feeinsurancegroup.com</a>&nbsp;or contact the Manhattan office at 785- 340-3500.

Fee Insurance Group plans Manhattan ribbon cutting

All railroad crossing arms are back up and working.

The Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System says the railroad crossing intersection is closed at Highway 99 and Lincoln Ave in Wamego. The intersection will be closed until further notice. Alternate routes are Ash Street and Balderson Blvd.

Railroad crossing notice

Each day on his drive to K-State’s football stadium, Coach Bill Snyder remembered driving past the agricultural research plots. That stadium now bears his name - as does a new wheat variety developed by K-State’s wheat breeding program. For the 2024 year-end giving season, everyone can be a part of launching the KS Bill Snyder variety and supporting wheat research as part of the Legendary Greats giving campaign by the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation (KWCRF).&nbsp;

“The people here are very special, and what you do is meaningful,” Snyder said during a KWCRF event last spring. “When I came here in 1989, I learned that Kansas State people are truly special. They asked, ‘What can we do for you?’ That’s the Kansas State farmer way.”

The KWCRF supports wheat research above and beyond the dollars contributed by Kansas farmers through the checkoff by providing a mechanism for donors to give meaningfully to the future of wheat production. The foundation attracts a wide range of donors, from individuals with deep family ties to wheat production to global supporters. Established in 2012, the foundation has grown to more than $6 million in assets, highlighting the critical need for public-private partnerships in wheat research. Gifts to the KWCRF are used exclusively for wheat research and are tax-deductible.

“The goal in the end is to increase the profitability of Kansas wheat farmers,” said Tammy McClellan, KWCRF manager of donor relations. “And probably that's one of the reasons I love this work the most because I'm married to a Kansas wheat farmer, and I am a Kansas wheat farmer.”

“My father-in-law was on the Kansas Wheat Commission when they made their first vote to start putting funding into research. So, it's a nice family tradition to be involved in research.”&nbsp;

This giving season, the KWCRF is accepting gifts to the Legendary Greats – KS Bill Snyder &amp; Kansas Wheat Campaign. Donors will be helping promote wheat research during the 2025 fall football season as the variety KS Bill Snyder is introduced to the public. Donors to the campaign will be recognized with other donors in a display inside the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, located directly across from the Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.&nbsp;

KS Bill Snyder — the wheat variety — was the result of the long-running breeding program at the K-State Agricultural Research Center at Hays, led by Dr. Guorong Zhang, K-State wheat breeder, and his team. KS Bill Snyder is a medium-maturity and medium-short height variety that was the top-performing variety in the Southern Regional Performance Nursery in 2022. KS Bill Snyder has a solid disease package with good-to-intermediate resistance of stripe, leaf and stem rust, along with moderate resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (Wsm2 gene) and intermediate resistance to Triticum mosaic virus. It is also resistant to soilborne mosaic virus, allowing it to move into central Kansas, where it has shown decent yield potential. KS Bill Snyder, along with its very high yield potential, also has good drought tolerance, high tillering capacity, excellent straw strength and good quality.

Releasing a new variety like KS Bill Snyder is the result of years of work, requiring maintaining research greenhouses, keeping research equipment top-notch and supporting the teamwork between wheat breeders, professors and their research teams. This long, complicated work makes each release a true celebration, which is one reason why individual donors like Stephen Graham and his wife Sherry choose to donate to the KWCRF.&nbsp;

“You got to remember that this doesn't happen overnight; it takes many years of work and investment to make new varieties happen,” said Graham, who is a former assistant to the Dean of Agriculture for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University and administrator for the Kansas Wheat Commission in 1981 through 1995. “But at the same time, it’s fun to watch it evolve, watch us learn how our wheat is used. It’s a long game, but you help support this work that benefits our state so much.”&nbsp;

Donors can contribute in various ways, including cash donations, grain or stock gifts, legacy gifts through estate planning, and Required Minimum Distributions from retirement accounts. This flexibility allows everyone to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Donors can even specify what specific research areas their contributions will support, ensuring every dollar is used effectively and in line with donor goals.&nbsp;

“I appreciate walking in every morning, coming to work and seeing the variety and diversity of those donors,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations. “It shows you the passion for Kansas wheat and wheat research from different segments of the industry.”&nbsp;

Just as Coach Snyder transformed the Wildcats’ football program, the variety in his name embodies the relentless, disciplined pursuit of excellence by researchers and producers. By supporting the KWCRF, you too can contribute to supporting the future of Kansas wheat farming for generations to come.&nbsp;

Learn more about the Legendary Greats campaign or how to give to the KWCRF at fieldsforward.org or listen to a full conversation with McClellan and Graham in the most recent episode of the “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast at wheatsonyourmind.com.&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Join the Legendary Greats Campaign by giving to the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation

The Fort Riley Army Substance Abuse Program hosted their annual 3D Awareness Month Operation Santa Claus Sober Ruck March on Wednesday. 

The Army said despite the cold temps and early morning start time, over 600 soldiers, family members and civilians rucked through one of three courses which included 1.5, 3.2 and 8 mile options. Hundreds of toys were collected and delivered Thursday at Operation Santa Claus headquarters.&nbsp;

Toys are collected for Operation Santa Claus

Creekside at Fall Color Farms near Riley has received a $25,000 Kansas Attraction Development grant from Kansas Tourism for a new building.

Creekside at Fall Color Farms supplies more than 12,000 trees each year and is developing a new branch of agritourism. Beginning in the fall of 2026 the farm will have a completed orchard where different varieties of apples will be available for U-Pick. Kids activities will also be offered during the fall ranging from a barrel train to a tire mountain. Tree fields will be available for customers to walk through. The farm will pair with local schools to offer educational field trips.

There will be a new 40 x 70 building which will serve as a fresh produce market from mud-June until October. There will be a sales floor, kitchen and service-bar. They will be able to offer wood-fired pizzas on select weekends from Spring until Fall as well as craft-beer and cocktails for of-age customers. Thee will also be non-alcoholic slushes and ciders.

State awards grant to Creekside at Fall Color Farms

Konza Prairie Community Health Center in Manhattan is located in the former Ray's Apple Market building on 6th Street. That followed a move from the Riley County Health Department.

According to CEO Dani Hallgren 30% of the Konza workforce is in Manhattan and the move allowed them to move from 2,500 square feet to just under 10,000 square feet of space. They doubled medical and dental providers and in January will add behavioral health services.

The move has allowed more space to be freed up at the Konza facility in Junction City since some patients have been traveling from Manhattan to Junction City.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center operates a Manhattan facility

<a>MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–</a>&nbsp;Led by senior defensive end&nbsp;Brendan Mott&nbsp;as the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and an All-Big 12 First Team honoree, Kansas State&nbsp;football&nbsp;collected 17 total postseason conference honors as league announced the 2024 Coaches’ All-Big 12 selections on Thursday.

K-State’s 17 total selections ranked fifth in the conference behind Colorado (21), Arizona State (19), BYU (18) and Iowa State (18). It was the fourth-straight season the Wildcats combined for at least 15 All-Big 12 honors.

Mott, who was an honorable mention pick a year ago, collected the Wildcats’ conference-leading sixth Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year accolade since the award was introduced following the 2006 season, two more than the next closest school (Texas – 4). He joins former Wildcat winners Meshak Williams (2012), Ryan Mueller (2014), Jordan Willis (2016) and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (2021 and 2022).

A product of Iowa City, Iowa, Mott led the Big 12 during the regular season with 8.5 sacks, a mark that also ranked 21st nationally. His season high of 2.5 sacks at Colorado was the most by any Big 12 player in a game this season and most by a Wildcat since Anudike-Uzomah had 3.0 sacks at Texas Tech in 2022. Mott also led the Wildcats and tied for fourth in the Big 12 with 11.5 tackles for loss. He helped&nbsp;K-State&nbsp;defensive ends earn All-Big 12 First Team honors for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

K-State’s All-Big 12 Second Team honors included running back&nbsp;DJ Giddens, tight end&nbsp;Garrett Oakley, linebacker&nbsp;Austin Romaine&nbsp;and offensive linemen&nbsp;Easton Kilty&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sam Hecht. Giddens earned his second All-Big 12 honor in as many seasons as he was an honorable mention pick a year ago, while Romaine is on the All-Big 12 team for the first time after earning votes for the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award last year. Oakley, Kilty and Hecht were each honored for the first time.

Giddens, a native of Junction City, finished the regular season ranking 11th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 1,343 rushing yards on 205 carries, scoring seven touchdowns while also adding 258 receiving yards and another score on 21 catches. A semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, Giddens ranks second nationally with 10 rushes of at least 30 yards and fourth with 17 rushes of at least 20 yards. He enters postseason play ranked 10th in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 with 133.4 scrimmage yards per game.

K-State Garners 17 Selections on Coaches’ All-Big 12 Teams

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Pop Isaacs helped unranked Creighton upset No. 1 Kansas 76-63 on Wednesday night, scoring a season-high 27 points and matching his career high with six 3-pointers.

Kansas cut a 13-point deficit to one early in the second half, but Isaacs hit back-to-back 3s to rebuild the lead as the Bluejays (6-3) pulled away for their second straight victory over a top-ranked opponent. They knocked off Connecticut 85-66 in Omaha in February.

The Jayhawks (7-1) lost a regular-season game against an unranked nonconference opponent for the first time in three years. Creighton had been in 16 straight Associated Press polls before dropping out this week following losses in three of its previous four games.

Students rushed the court at the final buzzer as flames shot out of the top of the goal standards.

Isaacs’ shooting display overshadowed what was supposed to be the featured matchup between two of the nation’s best big men, the 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Jayhawks’ 7-2 Hunter Dickinson.

Kalkbrenner, who had missed the Bluejays' previous game because of a lower-body injury, and Steven Ashworth each scored 17 points.

The Jayhawks struggled offensively and never led. Dajuan Harris had 15 points and AJ Storr and Zeke Mayo added 12 apiece for Kansas.

Kansas: The Jayhawks could never find a rhythm offensively. Dickinson had difficulty getting touches and took only four shots, making two.

Creighton: When the Bluejays make their 3-pointers, they’re tough to beat. They came into the game shooting 32% from distance but were 12 of 29 against the Jayhawks.

Issacs' back-to-back 3s early in the second half stemmed Kansas' comeback attempt, putting the Bluejays up 49-40.

Greg McDermott, the Bluejays' career coaching wins leader and a former coach at Iowa State, won for the first time in his 11 games against Kansas.

🏀 Creighton knocks off No. 1 Kansas behind Pop Isaacs' 27 points

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/documents/2024/12/4/2025_Early_Signing_Day_Release.pdf">Signing Day Bios</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/2025-26">Signing Days Roster</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/?Archive=23822&amp;type=Archive">Watch Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>&nbsp; |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kstatesports.com/podcasts/chris-klieman-signing-day-press-conference-december-4-2025/4930">Listen to Coach Klieman’s Press Conference</a>

MANHATTAN, Kan.&nbsp;–&nbsp;Kansas State head coach&nbsp;Chris Klieman&nbsp;announced Wednesday the signing of 26 prospects during the early 2025 signing period.

So far, K-State’s Class of 2025 is comprised of 24 high school prospects and two community-college transfers. Of the 26 overall players, 15 players are on defense, 10 are on offense and there is one specialist. There are five linebackers, four safeties, four wide receivers, three offensive linemen, two cornerbacks and defensive ends, one defensive back, one defensive tackle, one punter/kicker, one quarterback, one running back and one tight end.

K-State cast a wide net as the 26 signees hail from 12 different states, the second time in the last three years the Wildcats had signees from at least 12 states (13 in 2023). Once again, Kansas leads in terms of numbers from one state with five, as it marks the 16th-straight season the Wildcats have signed at least four in-state prep players. Additionally, the Class of 2025 includes five players from Texas, four from Florida and Missouri, and one apiece from Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina and Ohio.

Of the 26 signees on Wednesday, 14 are expected to enroll at K-State for the 2025 spring semester. The list includes:&nbsp;Logan Bartley,&nbsp;Nunu Concepcion,&nbsp;Jemyri Davis,&nbsp;Dillon Duff,&nbsp;Monterrio Elston Jr.,&nbsp;Noah King,&nbsp;Adonis Moise,&nbsp;Cub Patton,&nbsp;Weston Polk,&nbsp;Larry Porter IV,&nbsp;Sawyer Schilke,&nbsp;Brad Stanyer,&nbsp;Patrick Tackie&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dylan Villarouel.

Kansas State may add more prospects to the Class of 2025 during the regular signing period, which opens on Wednesday, February 5.

K-State Signs 26 During 2025 Early Signing Period

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Ayoka Lee scored 15 points and became Kansas State's all-time leading scorer as the 13th-ranked Wildcats blasted Eastern Illinois 90-43 on Tuesday night.

<a href="https://x.com/KStateWBB/status/1864125520327397726">Lee scored her 13th point on a layup at the 6:59 mark of the third quarter</a>&nbsp;to give her 2,334 points, one more than Kendra Wecker had in her career that ended in 2005.

Zyanna Walker led the Wildcats (8-1) with 16 points, matching her career high, to go with a career-high 10 assists, four rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Taryn Sides scored 12 points and Jaelyn Glenn and Kennedy Taylor had 11 each.

Kiyley Flowers had nine points to pace the Panthers (2-4), who shot 28%.

K-State shot 54.5% and was 11 of 20 from 3-point range, led by Sides going 4 of 4.

Walker had 11 points at the half as the Wildcats shot 57% to race to a 41-19 lead as the Panthers shot 29%.

Walker opened the game with a pair of fastbreak layups and Lee had five points in the last minute as Kansas State took a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. Glenn started and ended a 12-0 run in the second quarter that produced a 35-11 lead.

The Wildcats scored the first 17 points of the second half to lead by 39.

🏀 Ayoka Lee sets scoring record for K-State women in win over Eastern Illinois

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Dana Dimel, who spent 20 years as a part of Bill Snyder’s K-State coaching staff, passed away Tuesday at the age of 62, his family announced. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and children, Winston and Josey.

Dimel, who spent the 2024 season on former Wildcat assistant Bret Bielema’s staff at Illinois, served three stints on Snyder's staff at K-State following an All-America playing career as an offensive tackle for the Wildcats from 1984-86.

He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Manhattan in 1987-88 leading into eight seasons (1989-96) as an assistant coach. He returned to K-State for one season in 2005 and then returned to K-State for the third time and spent nine seasons (2009-17) as the program's offensive coordinator and running backs/tight ends coach.

Overall Dimel was a part of 12 bowl teams during 19 seasons in Manhattan. The Wildcats posted an 11-win season (2012) with a Big 12 Championship, two 10-win campaigns (1995 and 2011) and five nine-win seasons (1993, 1994, 1996, 2014, and 2016) during that span, and finished in the top-25 of the BCS and CFP rankings on three occasions – 2011 (No. 8 BCS), 2012 (No. 5 BCS), and 2014 (No. 11 CFP).

Dimel, a Columbus, Ohio, native, compiled the most wins of any active offensive coordinator in college football from 2011-17 (61) and was a part of eight straight bowl appearances. Overall, in his 32 seasons as a head or assistant coach, Dimel mentored 37 players who went on to play in the NFL.

In addition to his time at K-State, Dimel had successful head coaching stops at Wyoming (1997-1999), Houston (2000-2002) and UTEP (2018-2023).

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the passing of Dana," said former Wildcat coach Bill Snyder. "He was a special friend and coaching companion. I admired his passion for helping his players and fellow coaches. He was a big part of the development of the Kansas State football program, and along with his wife Julie, very meaningful in the Manhattan community.”

Longtime K-State coach Dana Dimel passes away

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Achor Achor scored 21 points to lead six in double figures and a late flurry of 3-pointers gave Kansas State the school scoring record in a 120-73 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday.

The Wildcats scored their last 21 points on seven 3-pointers and finished with 21 3-pointers — the second most in school history — in 40 attempts.

A 3-pointer by Taj Manning gave K-State 117 points with 2 minutes to go, breaking the school record of 116 points set in a win over Texas last season. Dug McDaniel added a 3-pointer a minute later for the final score.

Led by Achor, Kansas State (6-2) had 68 bench points. McDaniel had 18 points and 10 assists and David Castillo, who made five 3-pointers, had 17 points. Among the starters, David N’Guessan had 17 points, Brendan Hausen 14 and Max Jones 12.

Chop Paljor scored 15, Dante Sawyer 12 and Kyle Brown 10 for the Lions (1-8).

Kansas State shot 62% overall and 53% from 3-point distance. The Wildcats had only 36 points in the paint but made 19 of their 25 two-point tries.

The Wildcats turned six UAPB turnovers into 16 points and led 30-11 with 12 1/2 minutes left in the first half. Hausen scored nine points and N’Guessan seven in the outburst.

K-State scored 54 points in the first 15 minutes, shooting 57% overall and making 9 of 16 3-pointers in that span. The Wildcats led 54-24 with 5 minutes left and 63-33 at halftime. Castillo had 11 points and Achor scored 10.

🏀 K- State buries Arkansas-Pine Bluff with school-record 120 points

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Rocco Becht threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and No. 17 Iowa State's defense came up with big stops in the second half to help the Cyclones beat Kansas State 29-21 on a cold Saturday night for the first 10-win season in program history.

About three hours after the game ended, they had their ticket to the Big 12 championship game punched when BYU's win over Houston provided the help they needed to advance to a meeting with Arizona State next Saturday night at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The Cyclones (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, No. 18 CFP) will make their second appearance in the conference championship game. They lost to Oklahoma in 2020.

“It will have been earned. Our kids have really never wavered," said Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, whose team bounced back from two straight losses after a 7-0 start and won their third straight. “It'll be a great opportunity for our program and obviously for our fanbase to be able to be a part of that with us.”

Becht’s first touchdown pass, a 15-yarder to Jayden Higgins, came after Myles Purchase recovered Avery Johnson’s errant pitch on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Becht’s 9-yard TD pass to Jaylin Noel came after Joey Petersen picked up Keagan Johnson’s fumble. Noel went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season with the catch.

Becht’s 5-yard run put the Cyclones up 24-14 at half.

“The ability for our kids to make critical plays in critical moments was certainly the difference in the game,” Campbell said. “We knew with the weather and the field, it was going to be a hard-fought football game. We were going to have to make those plays. Probably fitting for this team to win that way and finish the regular season. Really excited for them and what they’ve accomplished, and certainly for what the future holds for them as well.”

A safety and Kyle Konrardy’s 20-yard field goal gave Iowa State an eight-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats (8-4, 5-4, No. 24 CFP) turned over the ball on downs at the Cyclones’ 35 when a pass went off Garrett Oakley’s hands on a fourth-and-2 with 4:59 left. They got the ball back for a final possession with no timeouts and 1:11 left when Kyle Konrardy missed what would have been a game-clinching 37-yard field goal. K-State went nowhere, with Avery Johnson knocked out of the game on third down and Ta’Quan Roberson throwing incomplete on fourth-and-15.

Becht took a knee, and the fans poured out of the stands to celebrate with the Cyclones on the field.

“Can’t play a team like that and make the mistakes we made,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said. "We made some mistakes in that first half that led to points, and you can’t do that against good football teams. That’s obvious.

“Congratulations to Matt and his team. They’ll represent the Big 12 well. They don’t make mistakes, and we made them today, and that got us down at halftime.”

Avery Johnson threw touchdown passes of 28 and 65 yards to Jayce Brown in the first half, and his 7-yarder to Oakley pulled K-State within 24-21 late in the third quarter. He threw for 220 yards and ran for 64 on 13 carries, and Brown caught three balls for 106 yards.

The Cyclones made a huge stop earlier in the third after DJ Giddens’s 36-yard run set up K-State inside the 5-yard line. They kept the Wildcats out of the end zone, and then Darien Porter blew through the right side of the line to block Chris Tennant’s 21-yard field-goal try.

The defense recorded a safety when Jacob Ellis chased Avery Johnson into his own end zone. Johnson desperately unloaded the ball and was called for intentional grounding.

Kansas State: The Wildcats failed to play spoiler after finding out their hopes of making the Big 12 championship game were squashed earlier in the day. Two turnovers, having a field goal blocked, surrendering a safety and failing to convert two fourth-and-2s hurt.

Iowa State: The Cyclones' seven conference wins are the second-most in program history — they had eight in 2020 — and their 17 wins since 2023 mark their best two-year stretch. They also finished in the top four of the Big 12 for the seventh time in eight seasons.

Iowa State could move up a bit with No. 12 Clemson losing this week.

Iowa State: Will play in a bowl game and possibly the Big 12 championship game.

🏈 Iowa St beats K-State, will play Sun Devils for Big 12 title

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — KJ Adams matched a career-high 22 points and No. 1 Kansas used a 30-9 run at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second to beat Furman 86-51 on Saturday night.

Hunter Dickinson had 10 points and six rebounds for the Jayhawks (7-0), who handled the trap game nestled between last week's win over No. 11 Duke in Las Vegas and next week's trip to No. 21 Creighton for the Big 12-Big East Battle.

The Jayhawks and Paladins (7-1) began the day as two of 23 unbeatens left in men's Division I basketball.

Kansas led just 27-26 before Flory Bidunga's basket completed a 12-2 run to end the first half. The charge continued in the second, and Adams eventually converted a three-point play to give the Jayhawks a 57-35 lead with 13 1/2 minutes to go.

Eddrin Bronson scored 14 points and Garrett Hien had 12 points for the Paladins.

Furman: The Paladins are seventh nationally in 3s per game, and they knocked down four of their first seven to hang around. But the Paladins were just 2 of 16 the rest of the first half, and that resulted in a 39-28 deficit that they could never overcome.

Kansas: The Jayhawks pulled away early in the second half despite missing their first six 3-point attempts. The Jayhawks didn't hit one until Zeke Mayo's 3-pointer with 15:14 remaining gave them a 54-35 lead.

In the first half, Mayo kicked the ball, which ricocheted and nearly hit Ted Lasso actor and Jayhawks fan Jason Sudeikis.

Adams was 10 of 12 from the field and 2 of 2 at the foul line.

Furman visits Florida Gulf Coast on Wednesday night, and Kansas visits the Bluejays the same night.

🏀 Adams matches career high as No. 1 Kansas cruises past Furman

WACO, Texas (AP) — Sawyer Robertson threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns as Baylor won its sixth straight to keep alive its slim hopes for a berth in the Big 12 championship game, beating Kansas 45-17 on Saturday.

The Bears (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions in the first half to take a 21-7 lead, then found the end zone on all three of their drives in the third quarter.

Bryson Washington ran for 192 yards on 27 carries that included a 10-yard TD run and punching in from the 1 in the second half for Baylor.

Kansas (5-7, 4-5) entered on a three-game winning streak — all against ranked teams — to be in position for bowl eligibility with a win. But the Jayhawks had no answers for Baylor’s offensive.

Baylor, which started 0-3 in league play, had to wait for the outcomes of games later Saturday. Arizona had to beat Arizona State, Kansas State had to beat Iowa State and Houston had to beat BYU for the Bears to get into next week's conference title game.

Robertson was 23-for-31 passing, with TDs of 36- and 39-yards to Monaray Baldwin in the first quarter before a 14-yard score to Josh Cameron in the second. Baldwin caught seven passes for 119 yards, and Cameron added eight receptions for 102.

Devin Neal ran for 133 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries for Kansas. Jalon Daniels was 12-of-23 passing for 280 yards passing, and had two passes intercepted by Baylor safety Devyn Bobby.

Kansas: The Jayhawks rarely had issues moving the ball in the first half. Despite trailing 21-10 at intermission, the Jayhawks had outgained Baylor 301-283. Their problems came with holding onto the ball and scoring when they had the chance. Tabor Allen missed a 38-yard field goal to end the Jayhawks’ first possession, and they had promising drives end on a Daniels interception and Tevita Noa fumble after a 39-yard reception.

Baylor: The Bears made a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season. They began the year with coach Dave Aranda’s future considered tenuous at best, and a 2-4 start only made calls for him to be replaced louder. But Aranda and Baylor haven’t lost since Oct. 5 against Iowa State.

Baylor had to wait to see when and where it will play its next game.

🏈  Baylor wins 6th straight to end Kansas season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs recovered a botched snap while the Las Vegas Raiders were within range of a go-ahead field goal with 15 seconds remaining on Friday, preserving a 19-17 victory for Kansas City and giving the franchise its 10th consecutive playoff berth.

The Raiders (2-10) had taken over at their own 8-yard line with just under two minutes to go, and Aidan O'Connell quickly moved them across midfield, eventually spiking the ball at the Kansas City 32 to stop the clock.

Rather than try a potential winning field goal — Daniel Carlson had already missed three from 50-plus — the Raiders lined up to run a play. Andre James snapped the ball when O'Connell wasn't expecting it and it bounced off the quarterback's shoulder. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton jumped on the ball, and the recovery stood when a flag on the play turned out to be an illegal shift by the Raiders.

It was the 14th consecutive game decided by one possession that Kansas City (11-1) has won.

The Raiders had a chance earlier in the fourth quarter, and O'Connell similarly drove them across midfield. But the Chiefs forced three straight incomplete passes — George Karlaftis and Justin Reid batted down two — to bring up fourth down. Carlson headed onto the field, but his 58-yard try with 2:21 never got near the uprights.

Patrick Mahomes had 306 yards passing and a TD for Kansas City, while fill-in kicker Matt Wright made four field goals.

O'Connell finished with 340 yards passing and two touchdowns for the Raiders, who have lost eight of nine to their bitter AFC West rivals. Brock Bowers had 10 catches for 140 yards and one of the scores.

The hapless Raiders were able to hang around thanks to the same problems that have plagued the Chiefs much of the season: Their offensive tackles were unable to give Mahomes time to throw, their secondary kept breaking down and they committed too many penalties — three on one offensive possession alone.

In fact, Mahomes was under extreme duress when he found Justin Watson from 6 yards out late in the first half. The pass not only gave the Chiefs a 10-3 lead but sent the two-time MVP past Len Dawson with his franchise-record 328th TD throw.

O'Connell, who was thrust back onto the field when Gardner Minshew went on injured reserve with a broken collarbone this week, got off to a slow start after missing a month with a broken thumb. But while the Chiefs continued to kick field goals, the second-year pro found his rhythm for the Raiders, eventually slinging a pair of TD passes to give Las Vegas the lead.

The first was to Bowers, already one of the most productive rookies in NFL history, with 1:40 left in the third quarter. Then, after the Chiefs went three-and-out, O'Connell hit Tre Tucker with 58-yard strike on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs answered with Wright's fourth field goal to take a 19-17 lead with about 10 minutes to go.

Chris Jones had two sacks for Kansas City. He had not had one the previous seven games. ... Las Vegas has trailed by double digits in every game this season. ... Mahomes had gone 113 straight starts without being sacked five-plus times. Carolina and Las Vegas have done it in consecutive weeks.

Raiders: WR DJ Turner left in the second half with a knee injury.

🏈 Chiefs clinch playoff berth with victory over the Raiders

COWLEY COUNTY —Police arrested a driver after an early morning crash in Cowley County.

Just before 3:30a.m.&nbsp; Friday,&nbsp;Arkansas City Police Department officers were dispatched to a crash in the 1400 block of North Summit Street in Arkansas City, according to a media release.

Officers located a pickup truck that had left the roadway and struck a utility pole. The vehicle towed a small boat and sustained significant damage, as did the utility pole.

The driver, identified as Jeffrey Scott Brown, 65, of Moberly, Missouri., was walking near the scene when officers arrived.

The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department responded to assist with securing the area due to safety concerns from the damaged utility pole and vehicle.

Following an investigation, police arrested Brown on requested charges of Driving Under the Influence and Transporting an Open Container. He was transported to the Cowley County Jail, where he is being held on a $750 bond.

Evergy was notified of the damage, and crews have temporarily secured the pole.&nbsp; It will be replaced on Monday, according to the police department.

Driver towing a boat accused of DUI after crash in Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-hunter-pardon-president-trump-e2d0ce366c6980cd31c6717edbc9938a">is weighing whether to issue sweeping</a>&nbsp;pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-enemies-from-within-5c4a34776469a55e71d3ba4d4e68cf62">targeted by President-elect Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power.

The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all.

Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions.

While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity.

Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies.

Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said.

It follows Biden’s decision to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-hunter-biden-pardon-son-9307d6bade834df77c265cae7d3b7c25">pardon his son Hunter</a>&nbsp;— not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump.

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