Riley County health officials have identified 106 new COVID-19 cases and 59 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 1. There are currently 147 active cases in Riley County. Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 10 COVID-positive patients at this time, 4 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 3 on ventilators. One patient in the ICU is fully vaccinated.&nbsp; “We are seeing quite a bit of spread in our young school-aged children, and I highly encourage parents to get their kids vaccinated,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Vaccine doses are widely available through the health department, doctor’s offices, and local pharmacies." Influenza, MMR, and other immunizations are also available through Riley County Health Department for children and adults. "Local doctors also report that the flu is spreading right now," said Gibbs.&nbsp;"Vaccines are our best weapons against disease, so staying on track with regular and yearly vaccinations, and getting a COVID vaccine, will do a lot to help people stay healthy.”

Riley County health officials have identified 106 new COVID-19 cases and 59 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 1. There are currently 147 active cases in Riley County. Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 10 COVID-positive patients at this time, 4 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 3 on ventilators. One patient in the ICU is fully vaccinated.&nbsp; “We are seeing quite a bit of spread in our young school-aged children, and I highly encourage parents to get their kids vaccinated,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Vaccine doses are widely available through the health department, doctor’s offices, and local pharmacies." Influenza, MMR, and other immunizations are also available through Riley County Health Department for children and adults. "Local doctors also report that the flu is spreading right now," said Gibbs.&nbsp;"Vaccines are our best weapons against disease, so staying on track with regular and yearly vaccinations, and getting a COVID vaccine, will do a lot to help people stay healthy.”

New COVID-19 cases are reported in Riley County

At Tuesday&nbsp;night's&nbsp;meeting,&nbsp;the Manhattan&nbsp;City Commission&nbsp;enacted a&nbsp;new set of rules&nbsp;regulating building and development.&nbsp;

Commissioners voted 4-1&nbsp;to approve&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;Manhattan&nbsp;Development&nbsp;Code.&nbsp;

Prior to open discussion and Commission action,&nbsp;Chad Bunger, assistant director for community development&nbsp;tried to&nbsp;clear up some “misinformation and confusion”&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;the new MDC.&nbsp;

City administrators and staffers toiled to craft&nbsp;rules&nbsp;tailored&nbsp;to&nbsp;Manhattan specifically, rather than a&nbsp;set of boilerplate regulations&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bunger&nbsp;said that the&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;changes&nbsp;are&nbsp;based&nbsp;in large part on existing structures and&nbsp;circumstances. According to city data,&nbsp;since&nbsp;2003,&nbsp;a&nbsp;substantial portion of&nbsp;work&nbsp;permits&nbsp;in the Traditional Neighborhood Overlay&nbsp;have been&nbsp;for&nbsp;remodeling&nbsp;and renovating existing structures, indicating that residents&nbsp;are not clamoring for broad changes to land-use and building regulations.&nbsp;

“We crafted our tweaked set of regulations based on around the notion that people are remodeling rather than building new homes,”&nbsp;Bunger said.&nbsp;

City officials&nbsp;say they&nbsp;created language that allows for less-restricted new construction in older neighborhoods, while maintaining the existing&nbsp;character&nbsp;and appearance of the area.&nbsp;

According to Bunger,&nbsp;city staffers regularly&nbsp;hear residents’&nbsp;concerns that the ordinances handcuff homeowners from making&nbsp;certain&nbsp;improvements to their property.&nbsp;In just the last three years, zoning authorities have seen 74&nbsp;exception requests, of which nearly 25 percent were for properties in the TNO – which is an exceptionally&nbsp;large proportion considering&nbsp;the TNO makes up just four percent of Manhattan’s total land area.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;exception&nbsp;requests&nbsp;are&nbsp;often&nbsp;for&nbsp;minor&nbsp;renovations&nbsp;such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;front porches,&nbsp;garages,&nbsp;or fences&nbsp;that would not&nbsp;be out of place or&nbsp;significantly alter the&nbsp;character of the neighborhood, but would not conform to current setback or footprint limitations.&nbsp;

City officials say their&nbsp;efforts are aimed at curtailing an obligatory, ponderous process to&nbsp;override what ultimately amount to&nbsp;superfluous&nbsp;restrictions.&nbsp;

“The rules we have today&nbsp;are&nbsp;forcing&nbsp;people to seek exceptions and go through a bureaucratic process,” Bunger said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;City&nbsp;renamed and&nbsp;combined&nbsp;zones&nbsp;for clarity and efficiency, but&nbsp;the actual function&nbsp;and underlying usage&nbsp;of the zoning codes would by-and-large remain the same, according to Bunger.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We’re not up-zoning or down-zoning anything,” Bunger said.&nbsp;“Land use will stay the same.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

While&nbsp;one of the&nbsp;purposes&nbsp;of the new&nbsp;MDC&nbsp;is&nbsp;to alleviate&nbsp;tedious bureaucratic steps&nbsp;for&nbsp;property-use&nbsp;exception&nbsp;requests that are most often granted anyway,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;countered&nbsp;that those same tedious steps&nbsp;represented a&nbsp;legitimate review process and&nbsp;created&nbsp;accountability.&nbsp;They&nbsp;felt requiring&nbsp;a property owner&nbsp;to&nbsp;present&nbsp;a good case for&nbsp;experts to review prior to&nbsp;an&nbsp;exception&nbsp;was more than reasonable.&nbsp;

They insist the&nbsp;regulations were&nbsp;their&nbsp;only&nbsp;assurance&nbsp;that&nbsp;they would&nbsp;be able to&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;their neighborhood’s&nbsp;appearance and personality.&nbsp;With&nbsp;the passage of the&nbsp;ordinance,&nbsp;they feel&nbsp;those exceptions are now the rule.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Officials noted&nbsp;there are multiple checks to any building or usage permit.&nbsp;MDC&nbsp;language&nbsp;tries to maintain&nbsp;general neighborhood characteristics by&nbsp;addressing&nbsp;setback distances and&nbsp;total&nbsp;lot coverage&nbsp;to&nbsp;prevent&nbsp;oversized buildings. General zoning restrictions,&nbsp;subdivision regulations,&nbsp;and&nbsp;public works guidelines&nbsp;would prevent&nbsp;a&nbsp;truck stop&nbsp;or&nbsp;mega-mart&nbsp;in&nbsp;the middle of&nbsp;small, prewar family homes.&nbsp;

The commission voted to approve the&nbsp;new&nbsp;building codes and then immediately voted to direct the Planning Board to review much of the new ordinance.&nbsp;

The consensus&nbsp;reflected&nbsp;Mayor Wynn Butler’s concern about&nbsp;outsized new&nbsp;mansions&nbsp;driving&nbsp;away owners of older, smaller homes. Commissioner Usha Reddi said&nbsp;homeowners deserve&nbsp;more information and&nbsp;the&nbsp;city&nbsp;needs to&nbsp;ensure people “know what’s going on in&nbsp;their&nbsp;own&nbsp;neighborhood,&nbsp;for communication and trust.”&nbsp;

Commissioner Linda Morse&nbsp;echoed&nbsp; concerns about working to&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;better public access&nbsp;to&nbsp;plans for&nbsp;any&nbsp;development&nbsp;or building requests&nbsp;with potential to affect&nbsp;their home and neighborhood.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I&nbsp;don’t want the&nbsp;public part of the process to disappear just because we’re changing these rules,” she said.&nbsp;

At Tuesday&nbsp;night's&nbsp;meeting,&nbsp;the Manhattan&nbsp;City Commission&nbsp;enacted a&nbsp;new set of rules&nbsp;regulating building and development.&nbsp;Commissioners voted 4-1&nbsp;to approve&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;Manhattan&nbsp;Development&nbsp;Code.&nbsp;Prior to open discussion and Commission action,&nbsp;Chad Bunger, assistant director for community development&nbsp;tried to&nbsp;clear up some “misinformation and confusion”&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;the new MDC.&nbsp;City administrators and staffers toiled to craft&nbsp;rules&nbsp;tailored&nbsp;to&nbsp;Manhattan specifically, rather than a&nbsp;set of boilerplate regulations&nbsp;&nbsp;Bunger&nbsp;said that the&nbsp;proposed&nbsp;changes&nbsp;are&nbsp;based&nbsp;in large part on existing structures and&nbsp;circumstances. According to city data,&nbsp;since&nbsp;2003,&nbsp;a&nbsp;substantial portion of&nbsp;work&nbsp;permits&nbsp;in the Traditional Neighborhood Overlay&nbsp;have been&nbsp;for&nbsp;remodeling&nbsp;and renovating existing structures, indicating that residents&nbsp;are not clamoring for broad changes to land-use and building regulations.&nbsp;“We crafted our tweaked set of regulations based on around the notion that people are remodeling rather than building new homes,”&nbsp;Bunger said.&nbsp;City officials&nbsp;say they&nbsp;created language that allows for less-restricted new construction in older neighborhoods, while maintaining the existing&nbsp;character&nbsp;and appearance of the area.&nbsp;According to Bunger,&nbsp;city staffers regularly&nbsp;hear residents’&nbsp;concerns that the ordinances handcuff homeowners from making&nbsp;certain&nbsp;improvements to their property.&nbsp;In just the last three years, zoning authorities have seen 74&nbsp;exception requests, of which nearly 25 percent were for properties in the TNO – which is an exceptionally&nbsp;large proportion considering&nbsp;the TNO makes up just four percent of Manhattan’s total land area.&nbsp;The&nbsp;exception&nbsp;requests&nbsp;are&nbsp;often&nbsp;for&nbsp;minor&nbsp;renovations&nbsp;such as&nbsp;a&nbsp;front porches,&nbsp;garages,&nbsp;or fences&nbsp;that would not&nbsp;be out of place or&nbsp;significantly alter the&nbsp;character of the neighborhood, but would not conform to current setback or footprint limitations.&nbsp;City officials say their&nbsp;efforts are aimed at curtailing an obligatory, ponderous process to&nbsp;override what ultimately amount to&nbsp;superfluous&nbsp;restrictions.&nbsp;“The rules we have today&nbsp;are&nbsp;forcing&nbsp;people to seek exceptions and go through a bureaucratic process,” Bunger said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;City&nbsp;renamed and&nbsp;combined&nbsp;zones&nbsp;for clarity and efficiency, but&nbsp;the actual function&nbsp;and underlying usage&nbsp;of the zoning codes would by-and-large remain the same, according to Bunger.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We’re not up-zoning or down-zoning anything,” Bunger said.&nbsp;“Land use will stay the same.”&nbsp;&nbsp;While&nbsp;one of the&nbsp;purposes&nbsp;of the new&nbsp;MDC&nbsp;is&nbsp;to alleviate&nbsp;tedious bureaucratic steps&nbsp;for&nbsp;property-use&nbsp;exception&nbsp;requests that are most often granted anyway,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;countered&nbsp;that those same tedious steps&nbsp;represented a&nbsp;legitimate review process and&nbsp;created&nbsp;accountability.&nbsp;They&nbsp;felt requiring&nbsp;a property owner&nbsp;to&nbsp;present&nbsp;a good case for&nbsp;experts to review prior to&nbsp;an&nbsp;exception&nbsp;was more than reasonable.&nbsp;They insist the&nbsp;regulations were&nbsp;their&nbsp;only&nbsp;assurance&nbsp;that&nbsp;they would&nbsp;be able to&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;their neighborhood’s&nbsp;appearance and personality.&nbsp;With&nbsp;the passage of the&nbsp;ordinance,&nbsp;they feel&nbsp;those exceptions are now the rule.&nbsp;&nbsp;Officials noted&nbsp;there are multiple checks to any building or usage permit.&nbsp;MDC&nbsp;language&nbsp;tries to maintain&nbsp;general neighborhood characteristics by&nbsp;addressing&nbsp;setback distances and&nbsp;total&nbsp;lot coverage&nbsp;to&nbsp;prevent&nbsp;oversized buildings. General zoning restrictions,&nbsp;subdivision regulations,&nbsp;and&nbsp;public works guidelines&nbsp;would prevent&nbsp;a&nbsp;truck stop&nbsp;or&nbsp;mega-mart&nbsp;in&nbsp;the middle of&nbsp;small, prewar family homes.&nbsp;The commission voted to approve the&nbsp;new&nbsp;building codes and then immediately voted to direct the Planning Board to review much of the new ordinance.&nbsp;The consensus&nbsp;reflected&nbsp;Mayor Wynn Butler’s concern about&nbsp;outsized new&nbsp;mansions&nbsp;driving&nbsp;away owners of older, smaller homes. Commissioner Usha Reddi said&nbsp;homeowners deserve&nbsp;more information and&nbsp;the&nbsp;city&nbsp;needs to&nbsp;ensure people “know what’s going on in&nbsp;their&nbsp;own&nbsp;neighborhood,&nbsp;for communication and trust.”&nbsp;Commissioner Linda Morse&nbsp;echoed&nbsp; concerns about working to&nbsp;facilitate&nbsp;better public access&nbsp;to&nbsp;plans for&nbsp;any&nbsp;development&nbsp;or building requests&nbsp;with potential to affect&nbsp;their home and neighborhood.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I&nbsp;don’t want the&nbsp;public part of the process to disappear just because we’re changing these rules,” she said.&nbsp;

New building code approved

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/" target="_blank">Kansas 4-H</a>&nbsp;international exchange program that has been on hold since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been given the go-ahead to restart next summer.&nbsp;

Mary Kay Munson of Geary County, who helps to coordinate 4-H exchange programs in Kansas, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/states-4h-international-exchange-program/index.html" target="_blank">States’ 4-H International Exchange program</a>&nbsp;offers a chance to experience cultures in several European, Asian or Latin American countries for 3-8 weeks. She said six Kansas teens have been approved to participate in summer 2022.&nbsp;

“The youth that are selected have an opportunity to understand themselves better,” Munson said. “Because they are away from their normal culture, they have to figure out what their values are and what they want to be as they mature into fully active citizenship. And they have to work on their communication skills whether or not they speak a language other than English.”&nbsp;

Six Kansas 4-H members will be notified in January of the country they will be placed in. Those six, and their country of choice, include:&nbsp;

Exchange visits in many other countries are available to Kansas youth through other programs that Kansas 4-H supports, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://ifyeusa.org/welcome.html" target="_blank">IFYE Association of the USA</a>.&nbsp;

Munson said the States’ 4-H International Exchange program pairs youth with a host family for 2-3 weeks, except in Japan where the four-week exchange can be combined with a language and culture immersion experience.&nbsp;

“We had planned a new program in Argentina last year, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic,” Munson said. “That was an opportunity where U.S. youth would spend time in a low income area in Cordoba, Argentina; participate in soccer and orchestra; and study Spanish with the Argentine kids.”&nbsp;

The exchange with Argentina is planned to begin in summer, 2022.&nbsp;

“Most countries we interact with have a program similar to 4-H,” Munson said. “So the individuals they interact with are in programs with values similar to Kansas 4-H.”&nbsp;

The Kansas contingent that will go abroad in summer 2022 will be finalized in January, according to Munson. Participating youth will have to complete the full series of vaccinations for COVID-19, as well as receive a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding a flight for their destination country.&nbsp;

Munson encouraged all Kansas youth to think well in advance about taking part in an international exchange. Applications for 2023 normally are expected to be due by Nov. 1, 2022.&nbsp;

“For those youth who are thinking of going, but not yet ready to apply, we have a pen pal program that starts in January and goes through the spring,” she said. “Pen pals communicate by email, messaging and frequently by audio and video technology and the Internet.”&nbsp;

In addition, host families for exchange students coming from the partner countries are needed in Kansas. Munson said the deadline to apply to be a host family is March 1

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/" target="_blank">Kansas 4-H</a>&nbsp;international exchange program that has been on hold since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been given the go-ahead to restart next summer.&nbsp;Mary Kay Munson of Geary County, who helps to coordinate 4-H exchange programs in Kansas, said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas4-h.org/events-activities/global-citizenship/states-4h-international-exchange-program/index.html" target="_blank">States’ 4-H International Exchange program</a>&nbsp;offers a chance to experience cultures in several European, Asian or Latin American countries for 3-8 weeks. She said six Kansas teens have been approved to participate in summer 2022.&nbsp;“The youth that are selected have an opportunity to understand themselves better,” Munson said. “Because they are away from their normal culture, they have to figure out what their values are and what they want to be as they mature into fully active citizenship. And they have to work on their communication skills whether or not they speak a language other than English.”&nbsp;Six Kansas 4-H members will be notified in January of the country they will be placed in. Those six, and their country of choice, include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Maddie Anderson (Norway).&nbsp;</li><li>Nathan Anderson (Romania).&nbsp;</li><li>Abigail MacGregor (Romania).&nbsp;</li><li>Isaiah Moreno (Japan).&nbsp;</li><li>Kate Rogers (Japan).&nbsp;</li><li>Jayla Wyant (Costa Rica).&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Exchange visits in many other countries are available to Kansas youth through other programs that Kansas 4-H supports, including the&nbsp;<a href="https://ifyeusa.org/welcome.html" target="_blank">IFYE Association of the USA</a>.&nbsp;Munson said the States’ 4-H International Exchange program pairs youth with a host family for 2-3 weeks, except in Japan where the four-week exchange can be combined with a language and culture immersion experience.&nbsp;“We had planned a new program in Argentina last year, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic,” Munson said. “That was an opportunity where U.S. youth would spend time in a low income area in Cordoba, Argentina; participate in soccer and orchestra; and study Spanish with the Argentine kids.”&nbsp;The exchange with Argentina is planned to begin in summer, 2022.&nbsp;“Most countries we interact with have a program similar to 4-H,” Munson said. “So the individuals they interact with are in programs with values similar to Kansas 4-H.”&nbsp;The Kansas contingent that will go abroad in summer 2022 will be finalized in January, according to Munson. Participating youth will have to complete the full series of vaccinations for COVID-19, as well as receive a negative PCR test within 72 hours of boarding a flight for their destination country.&nbsp;Munson encouraged all Kansas youth to think well in advance about taking part in an international exchange. Applications for 2023 normally are expected to be due by Nov. 1, 2022.&nbsp;“For those youth who are thinking of going, but not yet ready to apply, we have a pen pal program that starts in January and goes through the spring,” she said. “Pen pals communicate by email, messaging and frequently by audio and video technology and the Internet.”&nbsp;In addition, host families for exchange students coming from the partner countries are needed in Kansas. Munson said the deadline to apply to be a host family is March 1

4-H international exchange program set to restart in 2022 

Getting legal entry into the United States has never been an easy or quick process, and it seems to be getting harder, according to the latest data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (via a great article from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/11/19/the-backlog-in-americas-immigration-courts-keeps-growing" target="_blank">The Economist</a>).&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://trac.syr.edu/phptools/immigration/court_backlog/" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;shows there are almost&nbsp;1.5 million immigration cases&nbsp;currently pending in the U.S.&nbsp;— exactly&nbsp;5x&nbsp;the number that were pending a decade ago — with the average wait time to get through the system now up to&nbsp;930 days&nbsp;(roughly&nbsp;2 ½&nbsp;years).&nbsp; Some of the more recent backlog can safely be blamed on the pandemic, but policy over the last&nbsp;10-15 years&nbsp;across multiple administrations and governments has undoubtedly been the longer-term driver. Stricter enforcement, a surge in encounters at the borders and only limited increases in resourcing for the courts, have all added up.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638889261065.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Getting legal entry into the United States has never been an easy or quick process, and it seems to be getting harder, according to the latest data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (via a great article from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/11/19/the-backlog-in-americas-immigration-courts-keeps-growing" target="_blank">The Economist</a>).&nbsp; The&nbsp;<a href="https://trac.syr.edu/phptools/immigration/court_backlog/" target="_blank">data</a>&nbsp;shows there are almost&nbsp;1.5 million immigration cases&nbsp;currently pending in the U.S.&nbsp;— exactly&nbsp;5x&nbsp;the number that were pending a decade ago — with the average wait time to get through the system now up to&nbsp;930 days&nbsp;(roughly&nbsp;2 ½&nbsp;years).&nbsp; Some of the more recent backlog can safely be blamed on the pandemic, but policy over the last&nbsp;10-15 years&nbsp;across multiple administrations and governments has undoubtedly been the longer-term driver. Stricter enforcement, a surge in encounters at the borders and only limited increases in resourcing for the courts, have all added up.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Chart of the Day: Immigration cases clogging courts

Thanks to the generosity and leadership of K-Staters worldwide, Kansas State will officially move forward and break ground on the indoor practice facility, Morgan Family Arena and Olympic training facility on Wednesday prior the Marquette men's basketball game.&nbsp; &nbsp; The ceremonial shovel turning, featuring President Richard Myers, Athletics Director&nbsp;Gene Taylor, and other special guests, will begin Wednesday at 3 p.m.&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Morgan Family Center and Olympic training center and wrap up with the ceremony for the indoor practice facility.&nbsp;Both ceremonies are open to the public.&nbsp; &nbsp; The new indoor football center, which will include an accompanying outdoor practice field, will provide an enormous recruiting and operational advantage for the football program and allow it to operate in a more efficient manner throughout the year. This new facility will feature a full outdoor turf practice field, 130-yard indoor turf practice field, accessibility to the Vanier Family Football Complex and a limestone exterior to match stadium and campus architecture.&nbsp; &nbsp; The volleyball arena will dramatically enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at K-State volleyball matches. The arena will include a seating capacity of approximately 3,100, two practice courts with retractable seating, two video boards, team meeting rooms, locker room, team theater and coaching offices.&nbsp; &nbsp; Attached to the new volleyball arena will be the new Olympic performance center, which will improve the student-athlete experience, training and strength and conditioning opportunities of multiple Wildcat teams. The facility will feature a 14,000 square foot strength and conditioning center, 8,000 square foot second level multi-use turf area, plyometric ramp, sports medicine rehab space, hydrotherapy recovery area, nutrition and refueling station, office space for athletic training and strength staffs along with a state-of-the-art Mental Health and Wellness space which will house all of the necessary tools for overall wellness and performance enhancement.&nbsp;

--from Kansas State University&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638891261793.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638891313152.png" alt="Artist renditions of future KSU athletics facilities" />
 <figcaption>Artist renditions of future KSU athletics facilities</figcaption>
 </figure>Thanks to the generosity and leadership of K-Staters worldwide, Kansas State will officially move forward and break ground on the indoor practice facility, Morgan Family Arena and Olympic training facility on Wednesday prior the Marquette men's basketball game.&nbsp; &nbsp; The ceremonial shovel turning, featuring President Richard Myers, Athletics Director&nbsp;Gene Taylor, and other special guests, will begin Wednesday at 3 p.m.&nbsp;at the&nbsp;Morgan Family Center and Olympic training center and wrap up with the ceremony for the indoor practice facility.&nbsp;Both ceremonies are open to the public.&nbsp; &nbsp; The new indoor football center, which will include an accompanying outdoor practice field, will provide an enormous recruiting and operational advantage for the football program and allow it to operate in a more efficient manner throughout the year. This new facility will feature a full outdoor turf practice field, 130-yard indoor turf practice field, accessibility to the Vanier Family Football Complex and a limestone exterior to match stadium and campus architecture.&nbsp; &nbsp; The volleyball arena will dramatically enhance the student-athlete and fan experience at K-State volleyball matches. The arena will include a seating capacity of approximately 3,100, two practice courts with retractable seating, two video boards, team meeting rooms, locker room, team theater and coaching offices.&nbsp; &nbsp; Attached to the new volleyball arena will be the new Olympic performance center, which will improve the student-athlete experience, training and strength and conditioning opportunities of multiple Wildcat teams. The facility will feature a 14,000 square foot strength and conditioning center, 8,000 square foot second level multi-use turf area, plyometric ramp, sports medicine rehab space, hydrotherapy recovery area, nutrition and refueling station, office space for athletic training and strength staffs along with a state-of-the-art Mental Health and Wellness space which will house all of the necessary tools for overall wellness and performance enhancement.&nbsp;--from Kansas State University&nbsp;

Public invited to K-State groundbreaking ceremonies 

Megan York’s nighttime photo of the “Old Trooper” statue on Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field was picked as the November winner in the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley photo of the month contest. Megan’s photo is currently on display in Victory Hall, the 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division Headquarters build

December’s photo contest is underway, with entries due by 5 p.m., Dec. 27. December’s theme is “Pets with Personality” and residents of Fort Riley and surrounding communities should submit a photo that captures the family pet’s personality.

To enter a photo in the contest, follow the 1st Infantry Division on Instagram, like the competition announcement and submit your photo via direct message to the 1 ID Instagram page. The contest is open to all residents of the Flint Hills region.

Each month’s winning photo will be featured on the 1 ID Instagram page on the first Friday of the following month. A print of the winning photo will be displayed in Victory Hall for the remainder of that month. The monthly contest will continue through February.

This contest is not sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. The winning photo does not imply U.S. Army endorsement. Entrants must be 13 years and older, submit their own creative work, and that work must be in keeping with Army values and the monthly theme.

Megan York’s nighttime photo of the “Old Trooper” statue on Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field was picked as the November winner in the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley photo of the month contest. Megan’s photo is currently on display in Victory Hall, the 1st&nbsp;Infantry Division Headquarters build<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638966861424.jpeg" alt="&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Megan York stands with a print of her winning photo in Victory Hall at Fort Riley.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Megan York stands with a print of her winning photo in Victory Hall at Fort Riley.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>December’s photo contest is underway, with entries due by 5 p.m., Dec. 27. December’s theme is “Pets with Personality” and residents of Fort Riley and surrounding communities should submit a photo that captures the family pet’s personality.To enter a photo in the contest, follow the 1st Infantry Division on Instagram, like the competition announcement and submit your photo via direct message to the 1 ID Instagram page. The contest is open to all residents of the Flint Hills region.Each month’s winning photo will be featured on the 1 ID Instagram page on the first Friday of the following month. A print of the winning photo will be displayed in Victory Hall for the remainder of that month. The monthly contest will continue through February.This contest is not sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram, Inc. The winning photo does not imply U.S. Army endorsement. Entrants must be 13 years and older, submit their own creative work, and that work must be in keeping with Army values and the monthly theme.

1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley name "Photo of the Month" winner for November

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://littleapplepost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Little Apple Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://littleapplepost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.Little Apple Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560792573667.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Recent obituaries and service times

MARSHALL COUNTY – The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office reported that 72-year-old Jim Knecht was located tonight in Nebraska. He is now safe.

MARSHALL COUNTY –The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing 72-year-old Marysville man.

The whereabouts of James “Jim” W. Knecht, 72, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him, according to a media release from the KBI.

Knecht left his home Tuesday morning, Dec.7, at around 8:30 a.m., and was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. at the C.J. East gas station along Highway 36 in Marysville, Kansas. Knecht is driving a blue 2002 Buick Century with Kansas tag 240NEX. He may be traveling toward Iowa.

Knecht has dementia, and takes medication that he does not have with him.

Knecht is a white male, approximately 6 foot-1, and weighing 280 pounds. He has blue eyes and is bald. He has a red birthmark on his forehead. Knecht was last known wearing a black zip-up jacket and blue jeans.

If you see Jim Knecht, or his vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 785-562-3141.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638921682746.png" alt="Knecht-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Knecht-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>MARSHALL COUNTY – The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office reported that 72-year-old Jim Knecht was located tonight in Nebraska. He is now safe.---------MARSHALL COUNTY –The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued a statewide Silver Alert for a missing 72-year-old Marysville man.The whereabouts of James “Jim” W. Knecht, 72, are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him, according to a media release from the KBI.Knecht left his home Tuesday morning, Dec.7, at around 8:30 a.m., and was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. at the C.J. East gas station along Highway 36 in Marysville, Kansas. Knecht is driving a blue 2002 Buick Century with Kansas tag 240NEX. He may be traveling toward Iowa.Knecht has dementia, and takes medication that he does not have with him.Knecht is a white male, approximately 6 foot-1, and weighing 280 pounds. He has blue eyes and is bald. He has a red birthmark on his forehead. Knecht was last known wearing a black zip-up jacket and blue jeans.If you see Jim Knecht, or his vehicle, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 785-562-3141.

Silver Alert canceled, missing Marysville man found safe

MANHATTAN —On Tuesday, a federal judge in Georgia blocked President Joe Biden's executive order&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/09/executive-order-on-ensuring-adequate-covid-safety-protocols-for-federal-contractors/" target="_blank">requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for federal employees, contractors and others</a>. The judge's action puts a hiatus on the mandate for all states, including Kansas.

Effective immediately, Kansas State University will pause its COVID-19 vaccine requirement. At this time, employees do not need to take any further action related to the vaccine requirement, according to University President Richard Myers.

The university will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the vaccine requirement through K-State Today and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/" target="_blank">COVID-19 website.</a>

The health and safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority. I wish to thank everyone in the K-State community who is vaccinated. We encourage people to get vaccinated if they have not done so already. Vaccines are free and widely available. They have been proven safe after millions of inoculations and continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19.

To get vaccinated, students, faculty and staff can contact Lafene Health Center, their local health department, local pharmacies or private physicians.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/vaccine/how-to-find/index.html" target="_blank">Learn about other ways to find a COVID-19 vaccine</a>.

MANHATTAN —On Tuesday, a federal judge in Georgia blocked President Joe Biden's executive order&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/09/executive-order-on-ensuring-adequate-covid-safety-protocols-for-federal-contractors/" target="_blank">requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for federal employees, contractors and others</a>. The judge's action puts a hiatus on the mandate for all states, including Kansas.Effective immediately, Kansas State University will pause its COVID-19 vaccine requirement. At this time, employees do not need to take any further action related to the vaccine requirement, according to University President Richard Myers.The university will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the vaccine requirement through K-State Today and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/" target="_blank">COVID-19 website.</a>The health and safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority. I wish to thank everyone in the K-State community who is vaccinated. We encourage people to get vaccinated if they have not done so already. Vaccines are free and widely available. They have been proven safe after millions of inoculations and continue to offer strong protection against COVID-19.To get vaccinated, students, faculty and staff can contact Lafene Health Center, their local health department, local pharmacies or private physicians.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/vaccine/how-to-find/index.html" target="_blank">Learn about other ways to find a COVID-19 vaccine</a>.=

Kansas State University pauses COVID-19 vaccine requirement

MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) recognized members and supporters at its 103rd annual meeting, Dec. 5-6 in Manhattan. KFB presented two Kansans with Distinguished Service awards for their exemplary contributions to agriculture in the state.

The organization also presented 12 Friends of Agriculture awards. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture. They are: &nbsp;

Ray and Susan Flickner, McPherson County,&nbsp;received the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award, which goes to the farm family who exemplifies good land stewardship. At the Flickner Innovation Farm, the goal is to preserve and improve the natural resources like soil, water, trees and wildlife so they can provide for the next generation. Water quality is central to the Flickners’ conservation efforts. They moved away from anhydrous applications in the early 1980s and have implemented minimum and conservation tillage for the past four years. Experimentation with subsurface drip irrigation and precision mobile drip irrigation also has led to more efficient water use, which goes to the farm’s motto of “Growing for the future.” Mitch Messner,&nbsp;Agency Manager for Farm Bureau Financial Services, received KFB’s Partnership Award. This award recognizes someone from Farm Bureau Financial Services who has gone above and beyond for the state’s largest farm organization. In his role he works closely with agents and has done a tremendous job connecting with county Farm Bureaus in his area. Agents, volunteers and members know he can be counted on when help is needed or a problem arises.

MANHATTAN — Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) recognized members and supporters at its 103rd annual meeting, Dec. 5-6 in Manhattan. KFB presented two Kansans with Distinguished Service awards for their exemplary contributions to agriculture in the state.<ul>
 <li>Bob Haselwood, Shawnee County, was honored for more than four decades of service to the agriculture industry. As a farmer first, Haselwood raises soybeans, corn and wheat on his farm in Berryton. Since he was elected to the Kansas Soybean Commission in 2005, his focus has been on bringing value back to Kansas soybean farmers through investments in agronomic research, developing uses for soybeans and building demand for soy products. Haselwood is also a former director of the United Soybean Board, where he strengthened the soybean checkoff’s work and promoted the crop in 22 countries across the world. His legacy of service has also impacted Kansas Farm Bureau where he has served on the membership committee, resolutions committee, VOTE FBF and the oilseeds committee.</li><li>Don Landoll, Marshall County,&nbsp;was recognized for 60 years of service through Landoll Company, LLC, transforming the former blacksmith and welding shop into a leading agricultural and industrial manufacturing company employing more than 900 people across the region. Landoll is a strong supporter of his community and is a financial contributor to the local, state and national FFA organizations. He has contributed funds to the Marysville Library and supported major renovations to the KMYZ airport. He’s served on the Kansas Health Foundation and on the Transportation 2000 board, which led to getting a major overpass and airport expansion for Marysville.</li>
 </ul> The organization also presented 12 Friends of Agriculture awards. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Kansas Farm Bureau and agriculture. They are: &nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Dr. Donald Coover, Neosho County,&nbsp;spent 40 years helping animals and producers through artificial insemination, embryo transfers and training the next generation of animal caretakers. Dr. Coover’s work has been an immense help to Kansas, the nation and the agricultural industry.</li><li>Kim Curran, Crawford County,&nbsp;has helped cultivate the future of ag by teaching at USD 248 in Girard and always looks for opportunities to bring agriculture into the classroom. Kim has also served on the Crawford County Farm Bureau board of directors and is a 4-H youth club and project leader.</li><li>Jim and Terri Sue DeGeer, Neosho County,&nbsp;have served the agriculture community together for 35 years. Jim has served on statewide committees for Kansas Farm Bureau including the Young Farmers &amp; Ranchers (YF&amp;R) Committee and Beef Committee. Terri Sue has been a 4-H project leader and volunteer, in addition to 30 years guiding students as a school counselor.</li><li>Charlie Foltz,&nbsp;Anderson County,&nbsp;has made an impact on Kansas agriculture for more than a half century, serving in several roles on the Anderson County Farm Bureau board almost continuously since 1967. Foltz also spent nearly two decades on the board of directors for the Kansas Corn Growers Association.</li><li>Jarold Hayden, Cloud County,&nbsp;has worked tirelessly for his community, Kansas and agriculture for seven decades. Hayden has helped shape KFB policies as a longtime board member of Cloud County Farm Bureau, KFB’s VOTE FBF and Resolutions Committee and helped the organization forge a stronger relationship with (retired) Sen. Pat Roberts.</li><li>Joe Leibbrandt, Butler County,&nbsp;has been a passionate advocate for ag education for more than 40 years, including five years at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville directing the Swine Research Farm. He’s also worked for Kansas Research and Extension, has served as a 4-H representative at the Kansas State swine show and is agricultural department head at Butler County Community College.</li><li>Cheri Miller, Wyandotte County,&nbsp;has helped Kansans protect the land they use for 15 years by analyzing environmental reviews for the Wyandotte County Unified Government for special use permits, zoning requests, and evaluation of erosion control as well as soil and water quality. She also assists small scale and specialty crop producers in registering with the USDA.</li><li>Sue Rowland, Marshall County, has supported the agricultural community for 55 years as a business teacher at Marysville High School, where she helped prepare students for a future beyond high school. She’s also a founding member of the Kansas FFA Foundation and serves on the local hospital board, the Marshall County Agriculture Extension board and the Marshall County Conservation board.</li><li>Leroy Russell, Shawnee County,&nbsp;has served as a representative for agriculture for 43 years, educating future agriculturists in ag education and FFA at Washburn Rural. He’s served on the Shawnee County Farm Bureau board in numerous positions and held leadership roles on the Kansas Extension Agents Association and the Kansas 4-H Agents Association.</li><li>Don Schroeder, Harvey County,&nbsp;has served in multiple roles in supporting farmers and ranchers from the local to state level. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2006 to 2018, and spent time on the Kansas Soybean Association board, Kansas Corn Growers Association board, and currently serves as a Harvey County Commissioner.</li><li>Dale Strickler, Allen County,&nbsp;has served the agriculture community for more than 30 years as an educator. He coached multiple agricultural competitive teams at Cloud County Community College, where the crops team brought home several national titles. He has also hosted farm tours that have brought more than 1,000 participants from all over the United States and the world to learn about the practices on his operation.</li><li>Ron and Chris Wilson, Riley County,&nbsp;have been dedicated to supporting efforts with Kansas Farm Bureau and developing rural Kansas for 40 years. Since 1990 Ron has served as the director of the Huck Boyd Institute for Rural Development at Kansas State University. He also performs cowboy poetry. Chris is an 11th&nbsp;generation farmer. She also serves as the president of the Food and Agriculture Network, and she previously served as deputy secretary and general counsel of the Kansas Department of Agriculture.</li>
 </ul> Ray and Susan Flickner, McPherson County,&nbsp;received the Kansas Farm Bureau Natural Resources Award, which goes to the farm family who exemplifies good land stewardship. At the Flickner Innovation Farm, the goal is to preserve and improve the natural resources like soil, water, trees and wildlife so they can provide for the next generation. Water quality is central to the Flickners’ conservation efforts. They moved away from anhydrous applications in the early 1980s and have implemented minimum and conservation tillage for the past four years. Experimentation with subsurface drip irrigation and precision mobile drip irrigation also has led to more efficient water use, which goes to the farm’s motto of “Growing for the future.” Mitch Messner,&nbsp;Agency Manager for Farm Bureau Financial Services, received KFB’s Partnership Award. This award recognizes someone from Farm Bureau Financial Services who has gone above and beyond for the state’s largest farm organization. In his role he works closely with agents and has done a tremendous job connecting with county Farm Bureaus in his area. Agents, volunteers and members know he can be counted on when help is needed or a problem arises.

KFB honored members, friends at 103rd annual meeting

TIMOTHY AUSTIN TERRILL SMITH, 35, MANHATTAN Taxation, Sell cigarettes, electronic cigarette, tobacco to minor &lt; 18&nbsp;BOND&nbsp;$208

WENDELL LILTON PARRISH,&nbsp;38,&nbsp;MANHATTAN&nbsp;Probation Violation&nbsp;BOND&nbsp;$4,000&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635949845205.png" alt="The following is a summary of arrests by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law." />
 <figcaption>The following is a summary of arrests by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.</figcaption>
 </figure>TIMOTHY AUSTIN TERRILL SMITH, 35, MANHATTAN Taxation, Sell cigarettes, electronic cigarette, tobacco to minor &lt; 18&nbsp;BOND&nbsp;$208<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638894782514.png" alt="Smith has previous convictions for drugs and "traffic contraband; non firearm, ammo, explosive, controlled substance by non employee," according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Smith has previous convictions for drugs and "traffic contraband; non firearm, ammo, explosive, controlled substance by non employee," according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>WENDELL LILTON PARRISH,&nbsp;38,&nbsp;MANHATTAN&nbsp;Probation Violation&nbsp;BOND&nbsp;$4,000&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638894283194.png" alt="Wendell Lilton Parrish has previous Riley County felony convictions, including narcotics distribution, domestic battery, and use of a deadly weapon." />
 <figcaption>Wendell Lilton Parrish has previous Riley County felony convictions, including narcotics distribution, domestic battery, and use of a deadly weapon.</figcaption>
 </figure>

Arrest Report December 7, 2021

MANHATTAN — A second <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaysha-alfred-funeral-expenses?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">online fundraiser </a>has been established to assist the family of a Manhattan teen who died in a weekend accident.

"The family is already struggling financially and we ask for any help in this shock of losing the oldest of 6 siblings,' according to Brittany Mansker who established the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaysha-alfred-funeral-expenses?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer"> GoFundMe page.</a>

Earlier on Monday, the sister of a 14-year-old Kenni Cantu who died the accident established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kenni-cantus-funeral?member=15777861&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">a fundraiser t</a>o help his family cover funeral expenses.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.

The driver lost control of the SUV. The vehicle entered the south ditch,&nbsp; struck a concrete bridge pillar and caught fire.

Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp; Gaysha&nbsp;Alfred both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.

EMS transported&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp; and passengers Alecia Reyna&nbsp; Smith Haynes, 13, Manhattan, to Via Christi in Manhattan and 14-year-old Jean Carlos&nbsp;Vazques-Ponce of Manhattan to KU Medical Center.

As of Monday morning, $9,025 of the fund’s $25,000 goal has been raised.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638888641845.png" alt="Gaysha Alfred-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Gaysha Alfred-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — A second <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaysha-alfred-funeral-expenses?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer">online fundraiser </a>has been established to assist the family of a Manhattan teen who died in a weekend accident."The family is already struggling financially and we ask for any help in this shock of losing the oldest of 6 siblings,' according to Brittany Mansker who established the<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/gaysha-alfred-funeral-expenses?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link&amp;utm_source=customer"> GoFundMe page.</a>Earlier on Monday, the sister of a 14-year-old Kenni Cantu who died the accident established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kenni-cantus-funeral?member=15777861&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">a fundraiser t</a>o help his family cover funeral expenses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638812130360.png" alt="Kenni Cantu-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Kenni Cantu-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.The driver lost control of the SUV. The vehicle entered the south ditch,&nbsp; struck a concrete bridge pillar and caught fire.Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp; Gaysha&nbsp;Alfred both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.EMS transported&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp; and passengers Alecia Reyna&nbsp; Smith Haynes, 13, Manhattan, to Via Christi in Manhattan and 14-year-old Jean Carlos&nbsp;Vazques-Ponce of Manhattan to KU Medical Center.As of Monday morning, $9,025 of the fund’s $25,000 goal has been raised.

2nd online fundraiser to help families of teens who died in crash

Dolla dolla bill y'all In 1986 the first five locations opened of a new retail outlet, which had a simple premise for what it would sell, and an even simpler name&nbsp;— "Only $1.00".&nbsp; &nbsp; Although not the first of its kind, "Only $1.00" would grow into what today is&nbsp;Dollar Tree, which is a&nbsp;$33bn&nbsp;giant with more than 15,900 retail locations throughout the U.S., split between its two biggest brands&nbsp;Dollar Tree&nbsp;and&nbsp;Family Dollar.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dollar-and-a-quarter Tree doesn't exactly roll off the tongue &nbsp;Dollar Tree had some big news last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/23/investing/dollar-tree-prices-inflation/index.html" target="_blank">announcing that most of its prices will rise</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;$1&nbsp;to&nbsp;$1.25. That's a change that the company has been putting off for some time, dropping some products over the years that it could no longer afford to stock for just $1.&nbsp; &nbsp; When the company started $1 could get you a fair amount. Today it buys you much less. In fact,&nbsp;$1&nbsp;in&nbsp;1986&nbsp;is more like&nbsp;$2.50&nbsp;in today's money once&nbsp;you&nbsp;account for inflation over those 35 years.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dollar Tree&nbsp;investors liked the news — with Dollar Tree shares&nbsp;gaining 8% yesterday. If you were lucky enough to buy $1 worth of Dollar Tree shares, instead of spending it in their stores back in 1995, your $1 would be worth more than&nbsp;$125&nbsp;today.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638886689491.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Dolla dolla bill y'all In 1986 the first five locations opened of a new retail outlet, which had a simple premise for what it would sell, and an even simpler name&nbsp;— "Only $1.00".&nbsp; &nbsp; Although not the first of its kind, "Only $1.00" would grow into what today is&nbsp;Dollar Tree, which is a&nbsp;$33bn&nbsp;giant with more than 15,900 retail locations throughout the U.S., split between its two biggest brands&nbsp;Dollar Tree&nbsp;and&nbsp;Family Dollar.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dollar-and-a-quarter Tree doesn't exactly roll off the tongue &nbsp;Dollar Tree had some big news last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/23/investing/dollar-tree-prices-inflation/index.html" target="_blank">announcing that most of its prices will rise</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;$1&nbsp;to&nbsp;$1.25. That's a change that the company has been putting off for some time, dropping some products over the years that it could no longer afford to stock for just $1.&nbsp; &nbsp; When the company started $1 could get you a fair amount. Today it buys you much less. In fact,&nbsp;$1&nbsp;in&nbsp;1986&nbsp;is more like&nbsp;$2.50&nbsp;in today's money once&nbsp;you&nbsp;account for inflation over those 35 years.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dollar Tree&nbsp;investors liked the news — with Dollar Tree shares&nbsp;gaining 8% yesterday. If you were lucky enough to buy $1 worth of Dollar Tree shares, instead of spending it in their stores back in 1995, your $1 would be worth more than&nbsp;$125&nbsp;today.&nbsp;

Chart of the Day: Dollar Tree prunes motto

Chilly&nbsp;temperatures and the&nbsp;winter&nbsp;holiday season&nbsp;are the perfect backdrops for a farmer’s market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This Saturday, December 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the&nbsp;corner of&nbsp;Third&nbsp;Street&nbsp;and Leavenworth&nbsp;in Manhattan&nbsp;will be filled with&nbsp;Winter Fest&nbsp;activities to&nbsp;celebrate the newest season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Winter Fest&nbsp;will have fun games, photo ops and activities for&nbsp;kids.&nbsp;The&nbsp;first 100 kids get a free goodie bag.&nbsp;

Big kids are not forgotten:&nbsp;Winter Fest&nbsp;also have a&nbsp;giveaway&nbsp;basket with&nbsp;grown-up&nbsp;goodies from vendors,&nbsp;and a $50 gift certificate to spend&nbsp;on the&nbsp;loadsof&nbsp;food and crafts&nbsp;at the Market.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the holiday spirit, organizers&nbsp;are providing&nbsp;ways to give&nbsp;back. Anyone with&nbsp;the desire to participate with the Angel Tree or&nbsp;providing&nbsp;food for the Blessing Boxes around town&nbsp;can bring donations to the event for later distribution.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Organizers say&nbsp;participants should anticipate&nbsp;other&nbsp;new surprises&nbsp;coming&nbsp;for the&nbsp;event.&nbsp;

The Winter Fest is a partnership of the Downtown Farmer’s Market of Manhattan and Bubble Luscious Soap Company.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638881759125.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Chilly&nbsp;temperatures and the&nbsp;winter&nbsp;holiday season&nbsp;are the perfect backdrops for a farmer’s market.&nbsp;&nbsp;This Saturday, December 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the&nbsp;corner of&nbsp;Third&nbsp;Street&nbsp;and Leavenworth&nbsp;in Manhattan&nbsp;will be filled with&nbsp;Winter Fest&nbsp;activities to&nbsp;celebrate the newest season.&nbsp;&nbsp;Winter Fest&nbsp;will have fun games, photo ops and activities for&nbsp;kids.&nbsp;The&nbsp;first 100 kids get a free goodie bag.&nbsp;Big kids are not forgotten:&nbsp;Winter Fest&nbsp;also have a&nbsp;giveaway&nbsp;basket with&nbsp;grown-up&nbsp;goodies from vendors,&nbsp;and a $50 gift certificate to spend&nbsp;on the&nbsp;loadsof&nbsp;food and crafts&nbsp;at the Market.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the holiday spirit, organizers&nbsp;are providing&nbsp;ways to give&nbsp;back. Anyone with&nbsp;the desire to participate with the Angel Tree or&nbsp;providing&nbsp;food for the Blessing Boxes around town&nbsp;can bring donations to the event for later distribution.&nbsp;&nbsp;Organizers say&nbsp;participants should anticipate&nbsp;other&nbsp;new surprises&nbsp;coming&nbsp;for the&nbsp;event.&nbsp;The Winter Fest is a partnership of the Downtown Farmer’s Market of Manhattan and Bubble Luscious Soap Company.&nbsp;

Winter Festival set for Saturday

Kansas State University will present an honorary doctorate to a member of the Osage Nation credited with preserving and making the Osage language more accessible.&nbsp;

Herman "Mogri" Mongrain Lookout will receive the honor and serve as the speaker at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/graduation" target="_blank">commencement</a>&nbsp;for the K-State Graduate School Friday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.&nbsp;

The Kansas Board of Regents approved K-State's request to honor Lookout with an honorary doctorate in September. He&nbsp; to recognize his work in preserving the Osage language and culture.&nbsp; &nbsp; "Mr. Lookout's impact on the Osage community and in the academic and educational world is the greatest form of leadership, innovation and diligence," said Claudia Petrescu, K-State's vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. "We are honored to recognize him and his work."&nbsp; &nbsp; Lookout, an Osage language master teacher and founding director of the <a href="https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/language-department?fbclid=IwAR3Q8USW9lYCKURlQuoz46wnKsh3AVrACevI4RUDjx8h_kKTwoFldY0vqvs">Osage Language Department</a>, is the inventor of the official Osage orthography — or alphabet — and language database. Before Lookout's efforts, there was no standard way of writing the Osage language as it was a spoken language. When the language was spelled, it was written the way one heard it.

The need to preserve the Osage language began long before Lookout was born and is tied to the history of Kansas. The Osage historically occupied lands in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Throughout the 19thcentury, they were forced into a section of land in northeastern Oklahoma where the Osage community still lives today. As land was taken from them, Osage children were sent to boarding schools that mandated English and forbid using Indigenous languages and spiritual practices. The use of the Osage language dwindled as the boarding school system continued into the 20thcentury.&nbsp; &nbsp; Lookout wants to change that and has dedicated his life to learning and preserving the Osage language. His grandparents and parents were fluent in the language and Lookout's father taught him how to pray in Osage. He also attended classes taught by Osage elders and taught Osage language classes. In 2003, the Osage Tribal Council created the Osage Language Program and council member Jerry Shaw hired Lookout to be the program director.&nbsp; &nbsp; To develop the orthography, Lookout worked with Osage elders, experts and linguists. Their work included listening to recordings of Osage elders to identify the different sounds and sound combinations of the language. Although some letter sounds are the same or similar to the English alphabet, the Osage orthography had to include new characters for letter sounds not made in English.&nbsp; &nbsp; The Osage Nation officially adopted Lookout's 36-character Osage orthography. It has become the backbone of all Osage language education efforts and is available for all to learn and use through multiple digital platforms, including Google and Apple.&nbsp; &nbsp; "This new orthography has become the curricular backbone of all Osage language education efforts," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "Mr. Lookout has been the primary leader behind the Osage language revitalization efforts and because of his dedication and leadership, there are many more Osage citizens, young and old, who are able to use the language in a variety of settings across multiple digital platforms. This work will influence many generations to come."&nbsp;

Kansas State University will present an honorary doctorate to a member of the Osage Nation credited with preserving and making the Osage language more accessible.&nbsp; Herman "Mogri" Mongrain Lookout will receive the honor and serve as the speaker at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/graduation" target="_blank">commencement</a>&nbsp;for the K-State Graduate School Friday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638879159070.jpeg" alt="Herman "Mogri" Mongrain Lookout&nbsp;is the inventor of the official Osage orthography — or alphabet — and language database. was nominated for an honorary doctorate by the College of Education" />
 <figcaption>Herman "Mogri" Mongrain Lookout&nbsp;is the inventor of the official Osage orthography — or alphabet — and language database. was nominated for an honorary doctorate by the College of Education</figcaption>
 </figure> The Kansas Board of Regents approved K-State's request to honor Lookout with an honorary doctorate in September. He&nbsp; to recognize his work in preserving the Osage language and culture.&nbsp; &nbsp; "Mr. Lookout's impact on the Osage community and in the academic and educational world is the greatest form of leadership, innovation and diligence," said Claudia Petrescu, K-State's vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. "We are honored to recognize him and his work."&nbsp; &nbsp; Lookout, an Osage language master teacher and founding director of the <a href="https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/who-we-are/language-department?fbclid=IwAR3Q8USW9lYCKURlQuoz46wnKsh3AVrACevI4RUDjx8h_kKTwoFldY0vqvs">Osage Language Department</a>, is the inventor of the official Osage orthography — or alphabet — and language database. Before Lookout's efforts, there was no standard way of writing the Osage language as it was a spoken language. When the language was spelled, it was written the way one heard it. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638879532930.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The need to preserve the Osage language began long before Lookout was born and is tied to the history of Kansas. The Osage historically occupied lands in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Throughout the 19thcentury, they were forced into a section of land in northeastern Oklahoma where the Osage community still lives today. As land was taken from them, Osage children were sent to boarding schools that mandated English and forbid using Indigenous languages and spiritual practices. The use of the Osage language dwindled as the boarding school system continued into the 20thcentury.&nbsp; &nbsp; Lookout wants to change that and has dedicated his life to learning and preserving the Osage language. His grandparents and parents were fluent in the language and Lookout's father taught him how to pray in Osage. He also attended classes taught by Osage elders and taught Osage language classes. In 2003, the Osage Tribal Council created the Osage Language Program and council member Jerry Shaw hired Lookout to be the program director.&nbsp; &nbsp; To develop the orthography, Lookout worked with Osage elders, experts and linguists. Their work included listening to recordings of Osage elders to identify the different sounds and sound combinations of the language. Although some letter sounds are the same or similar to the English alphabet, the Osage orthography had to include new characters for letter sounds not made in English.&nbsp; &nbsp; The Osage Nation officially adopted Lookout's 36-character Osage orthography. It has become the backbone of all Osage language education efforts and is available for all to learn and use through multiple digital platforms, including Google and Apple.&nbsp; &nbsp; "This new orthography has become the curricular backbone of all Osage language education efforts," said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. "Mr. Lookout has been the primary leader behind the Osage language revitalization efforts and because of his dedication and leadership, there are many more Osage citizens, young and old, who are able to use the language in a variety of settings across multiple digital platforms. This work will influence many generations to come."&nbsp;--from Kansas State University&nbsp;

Native language master to receive honorary doctorate, deliver commencement address

The Kansas State University School of Music, Theater, and Dance presents its final Jazz and Big Band performances of the year tonight and tomorrow.&nbsp;

Tonight, McCain Auditorium will see the K-State Orchestra’s final 2021 performance. The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Rachel Dirks, plays from 7:30-9:30 p.m.&nbsp;

Tonight’s performance explores the many facets of dreaming through Hector Berlioz' epic work,&nbsp;Symphonie Fantastique. Make sure to bring your non-perishable food donations to the concert in support of the&nbsp;Cats Cupboard&nbsp;Food Pantry.&nbsp;

Wednesday evening from 7-9, the K-State Big Bands will perform a concert jazz ensemble in Forum Hall inside the KSU Student Union. The show is a saxophone&nbsp;suite, featuring alto, tenor, and bass sax accompanied by trumpets and trombones as well as a dynamic rhythm section.&nbsp;

The Kansas State University School of Music, Theater, and Dance presents its final Jazz and Big Band performances of the year tonight and tomorrow.&nbsp;Tonight, McCain Auditorium will see the K-State Orchestra’s final 2021 performance. The orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Rachel Dirks, plays from 7:30-9:30 p.m.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638877811602.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tonight’s performance explores the many facets of dreaming through Hector Berlioz' epic work,&nbsp;Symphonie Fantastique. Make sure to bring your non-perishable food donations to the concert in support of the&nbsp;Cats Cupboard&nbsp;Food Pantry.&nbsp;Wednesday evening from 7-9, the K-State Big Bands will perform a concert jazz ensemble in Forum Hall inside the KSU Student Union. The show is a saxophone&nbsp;suite, featuring alto, tenor, and bass sax accompanied by trumpets and trombones as well as a dynamic rhythm section.&nbsp;

Jazz & Big Band shows 

Kansas State University prides itself on being a tightly bound family, and that family recognizes it is part of an equally tight community.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Part of that community suffers from food insecurity, according to a recent study.

In early spring of 2020, prior to K-State's&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;transition to remote learning, a total of 10,000 Manhattan-campus students were randomly selected from that semester’s enrollment rolls. Students participated in the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The ACHA-NCHA included a validated scale measuring food security from the USDA Economic Research Service.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The assessment data revealed that nearly 40 percent of KSU respondents reported low, or very low food security. The K-State figure is consistent with national data for the typical college campus – revealing a huge student population battling uncertain and unreliable food realities on what can be an arduous academic journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cats’ Cupboard&nbsp;&nbsp;

As a remedy, the Cats' Cupboard provides immediate access to food and personal hygiene items at no cost. There are no income requirements for participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The lone qualification of Cats' Cupboard is that participants be a current K-State student, staff or faculty member on the Manhattan campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Upon an individuals’ first visit, they are asked to fill out a short survey – with no income information required. The exceptional pantry staff can provide a tour any time and are here to help as you might need.&nbsp; The Cats' Cupboard is organized based on consumer choice.&nbsp; This allows you to select your own items based on your preferences.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Located in Fairchild Hall, Cats' Cupboard is organized as a consumer-choice model, so participants may come in and make their own choices among available items. All that is asked is that you take what you need, and use what you take.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

There may be items with suggested limits to ensure items are available for the next shopper. When finished shopping, participants simply take their items and go – no payment or checkout required.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cats' Cupboard Initiative is focused on promoting food security at K-State through a collaborative effort among students, faculty, staff, and community. In addition to an on-campus food pantry, Cats’ Cupboard provides education, engagement opportunities, and support through initiatives that promote health, success, and well-being.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By providing support for food and hygiene, Cats’ Cupboard hopes to prevent food insecurity from being a barrier to student success by building awareness and the capacity of the KSU campus community to address this challenge from a holistic perspective.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15u6l_u4Jc&amp;t=1s" target="_blank">Click here for a short video about the Cats’ Cupboard shopping experience</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvesters&nbsp; Community Food Network

An even broader food swath is cut by Harvesters – a regional food bank serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies, including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. Harvesters also offers education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.&nbsp;&nbsp;

For every dollar donated, Harvesters is able to provide six meals to families and individuals in need during the holiday season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvesters is a certified member of&nbsp;<a href="http://feedingamerica.org/" target="_blank">Feeding America</a>, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks. In 2011, Harvesters was Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year, and is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Directed by a board of leaders from regional businesses, industry, higher education and government, Harvesters partners with Manhattan-area churches and civic groups to provide over a dozen food pantries in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Harvesters even operates drive-thru food pickup sites and food kitchens with hot meals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/get-food-assistance/food-locator" target="_blank">available at several locations</a>&nbsp;in the greater Manhattan and Ogden.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/KS-12-2021.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for a printable list of available items from Harvester.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hands On K-State pickup is the second Friday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at 2201 Kimball Avenue. Organizers highly suggest calling 785-532-6085 to confirm hours and dates.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thanks to Harvester’s friends Peter &amp; Veronica&nbsp;Mallouk&nbsp;and Creative Planning Inc., each&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/donate" target="_blank">donation made to Harvester</a>&nbsp;this holiday season will be matched to make twice the impact.&nbsp;

Kansas State University prides itself on being a tightly bound family, and that family recognizes it is part of an equally tight community.&nbsp;&nbsp;Part of that community suffers from food insecurity, according to a recent study.In early spring of 2020, prior to K-State's&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;transition to remote learning, a total of 10,000 Manhattan-campus students were randomly selected from that semester’s enrollment rolls. Students participated in the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (NCHA). The ACHA-NCHA included a validated scale measuring food security from the USDA Economic Research Service.&nbsp;&nbsp;The assessment data revealed that nearly 40 percent of KSU respondents reported low, or very low food security. The K-State figure is consistent with national data for the typical college campus – revealing a huge student population battling uncertain and unreliable food realities on what can be an arduous academic journey.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638875617816.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Cats’ Cupboard&nbsp;&nbsp;As a remedy, the Cats' Cupboard provides immediate access to food and personal hygiene items at no cost. There are no income requirements for participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The lone qualification of Cats' Cupboard is that participants be a current K-State student, staff or faculty member on the Manhattan campus.&nbsp;&nbsp;Upon an individuals’ first visit, they are asked to fill out a short survey – with no income information required. The exceptional pantry staff can provide a tour any time and are here to help as you might need.&nbsp; The Cats' Cupboard is organized based on consumer choice.&nbsp; This allows you to select your own items based on your preferences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Located in Fairchild Hall, Cats' Cupboard is organized as a consumer-choice model, so participants may come in and make their own choices among available items. All that is asked is that you take what you need, and use what you take.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There may be items with suggested limits to ensure items are available for the next shopper. When finished shopping, participants simply take their items and go – no payment or checkout required.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cats' Cupboard Initiative is focused on promoting food security at K-State through a collaborative effort among students, faculty, staff, and community. In addition to an on-campus food pantry, Cats’ Cupboard provides education, engagement opportunities, and support through initiatives that promote health, success, and well-being.&nbsp;&nbsp;By providing support for food and hygiene, Cats’ Cupboard hopes to prevent food insecurity from being a barrier to student success by building awareness and the capacity of the KSU campus community to address this challenge from a holistic perspective.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m15u6l_u4Jc&amp;t=1s" target="_blank">Click here for a short video about the Cats’ Cupboard shopping experience</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638875862143.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harvesters&nbsp; Community Food NetworkAn even broader food swath is cut by Harvesters – a regional food bank serving a 26-county area of northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies, including emergency food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children’s homes and others. Harvesters also offers education programs to increase community awareness of hunger and teach about good nutrition.&nbsp;&nbsp;For every dollar donated, Harvesters is able to provide six meals to families and individuals in need during the holiday season.&nbsp;&nbsp;Harvesters is a certified member of&nbsp;<a href="http://feedingamerica.org/" target="_blank">Feeding America</a>, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks. In 2011, Harvesters was Feeding America’s Food Bank of the Year, and is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.&nbsp;&nbsp;Directed by a board of leaders from regional businesses, industry, higher education and government, Harvesters partners with Manhattan-area churches and civic groups to provide over a dozen food pantries in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;Harvesters even operates drive-thru food pickup sites and food kitchens with hot meals&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/get-food-assistance/food-locator" target="_blank">available at several locations</a>&nbsp;in the greater Manhattan and Ogden.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/KS-12-2021.pdf" target="_blank">Click here for a printable list of available items from Harvester.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Hands On K-State pickup is the second Friday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at 2201 Kimball Avenue. Organizers highly suggest calling 785-532-6085 to confirm hours and dates.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thanks to Harvester’s friends Peter &amp; Veronica&nbsp;Mallouk&nbsp;and Creative Planning Inc., each&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harvesters.org/how-to-help/donate" target="_blank">donation made to Harvester</a>&nbsp;this holiday season will be matched to make twice the impact.&nbsp;

Campus and Community resources help overcome holiday food insecurity 

Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancher Do looks really matter? This topic is better suited to philosophers, but a series of observations from my trip to the Baltics earlier this year with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Casten Fellows Program has had me questioning my belief that if something works, it does not matter if it looks good. I have pondered the value of aesthetics in the spaces where we spend our time and the possessions with which we fill them. Maybe the most important part of this realization has been that the aesthetics of the environments we create and spend time in are not just a reflection of a person, they also reflect into the person. This realization came slowly, pieced together from some of the most obvious parts of our trip to this northern region of Europe. Everywhere we went we saw flowers. Not small or neutral toned flowers, but big, vibrant flowers. We knew people in this region had a particular connection to nature, but this was also much further north than where I grew up in Wisconsin. I know how hard it is to grow beautiful flowers there because it is a cold region. Why would people in a cold region have so many beautiful, colorful flowers? It was more than flowers and artfully designed landscaping. Everywhere I looked, there was beauty and happiness; greenhouses dotting most back yards; spaces that were well kept, cozy and lived-in. The pride and joy the Baltic people had in their homes, businesses and whole country was obvious everywhere we looked. The most surprising part of the realization came close to the end of the trip: There was a constant feeling of contentment, relaxation and joy. Even after almost two weeks of travel, experience overload and long days, I just felt happy and peaceful because everything was so nice. The Baltics are not a country filled with material possessions or dependent on a need for new fueled by vanity or greed. They appreciate old and historic because it is what they have. The realities of communism during Soviet occupation are a not so distant memory. They fought for the freedom to make things their own, they are grateful to be able to ability to maintain them and want to live in places that are functional, beautiful and bring them joy. I returned home with a burst of energy to show more pride of ownership and appreciation for my own home, but knew I needed to start small because I was on my own for the project during harvest. I decided to fix the very short section of fence that adorns the entrance to our driveway. It had been rep­­­­ainted so many times it was a decaying eyesore. I don’t have space to recount the whole humorous story, but you can imagine how it went by my new title of “Lumberjack Princess.” Tired, dirty and a little banged-up, I knew that my observations had been correct. My idea, my work, my perseverance, made the fence even more beautiful in the moment. Even after a few months, I smile every time I drive in the yard or think about the project because I made that. And I know now that rest of the world can somehow tell that, even if it is just from the way it looks. My momentum from the fence build has grown in this Christmas season. A visitor or passerby at my home will now see a site I never expected to create at a farmhouse so far off the beaten path: an amateur-built, festively decorated welcoming fence. The effort we make with the look of our world shows pride and brings joy far beyond the recognition that might come from the outside world. My efforts, small or large, are not to impress the world, but for my own fulfillment.

Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancher Do looks really matter? This topic is better suited to philosophers, but a series of observations from my trip to the Baltics earlier this year with Kansas Farm Bureau’s Casten Fellows Program has had me questioning my belief that if something works, it does not matter if it looks good. I have pondered the value of aesthetics in the spaces where we spend our time and the possessions with which we fill them. Maybe the most important part of this realization has been that the aesthetics of the environments we create and spend time in are not just a reflection of a person, they also reflect into the person. This realization came slowly, pieced together from some of the most obvious parts of our trip to this northern region of Europe. Everywhere we went we saw flowers. Not small or neutral toned flowers, but big, vibrant flowers. We knew people in this region had a particular connection to nature, but this was also much further north than where I grew up in Wisconsin. I know how hard it is to grow beautiful flowers there because it is a cold region. Why would people in a cold region have so many beautiful, colorful flowers? It was more than flowers and artfully designed landscaping. Everywhere I looked, there was beauty and happiness; greenhouses dotting most back yards; spaces that were well kept, cozy and lived-in. The pride and joy the Baltic people had in their homes, businesses and whole country was obvious everywhere we looked. The most surprising part of the realization came close to the end of the trip: There was a constant feeling of contentment, relaxation and joy. Even after almost two weeks of travel, experience overload and long days, I just felt happy and peaceful because everything was so nice. The Baltics are not a country filled with material possessions or dependent on a need for new fueled by vanity or greed. They appreciate old and historic because it is what they have. The realities of communism during Soviet occupation are a not so distant memory. They fought for the freedom to make things their own, they are grateful to be able to ability to maintain them and want to live in places that are functional, beautiful and bring them joy. I returned home with a burst of energy to show more pride of ownership and appreciation for my own home, but knew I needed to start small because I was on my own for the project during harvest. I decided to fix the very short section of fence that adorns the entrance to our driveway. It had been rep­­­­ainted so many times it was a decaying eyesore. I don’t have space to recount the whole humorous story, but you can imagine how it went by my new title of “Lumberjack Princess.” Tired, dirty and a little banged-up, I knew that my observations had been correct. My idea, my work, my perseverance, made the fence even more beautiful in the moment. Even after a few months, I smile every time I drive in the yard or think about the project because I made that. And I know now that rest of the world can somehow tell that, even if it is just from the way it looks. My momentum from the fence build has grown in this Christmas season. A visitor or passerby at my home will now see a site I never expected to create at a farmhouse so far off the beaten path: an amateur-built, festively decorated welcoming fence. The effort we make with the look of our world shows pride and brings joy far beyond the recognition that might come from the outside world. My efforts, small or large, are not to impress the world, but for my own fulfillment.

Pride in Ownership

Tonight, McCain Auditorium hosts the final concert of the semester for the K-State Orchestra. The show, “Dreams and Passions!” starts at 7.

 Explore the many facets of dreaming through Hector Berlioz' epic work, Symphonie Fantastique. 

Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation (or cash) in support of the local campus food pantry, Cats' Cupboard.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Cats' Cupboard is requesting the following donations:&nbsp;

Red Lentils, Brown Rice, Canned Chicken, Canned Pineapple, Canned Mandarin Oranges, Canned Pumpkin, Toothpaste (please no toothbrushes), Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Women's Deodorant, Hand/Body Lotion&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638813833266.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Tonight, McCain Auditorium hosts the final concert of the semester for the K-State Orchestra. The show, “Dreams and Passions!” starts at 7. Explore the many facets of dreaming through Hector Berlioz' epic work, Symphonie Fantastique. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation (or cash) in support of the local campus food pantry, Cats' Cupboard.&nbsp;&nbsp;Cats' Cupboard is requesting the following donations:&nbsp;Red Lentils, Brown Rice, Canned Chicken, Canned Pineapple, Canned Mandarin Oranges, Canned Pumpkin, Toothpaste (please no toothbrushes), Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, Women's Deodorant, Hand/Body Lotion&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638813996337.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Final Orchestra performance Tuesday

MANHATTAN — The sister of a Manhattan teen who died in a weekend accident has established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kenni-cantus-funeral?member=15777861&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">a fundraiser t</a>o help cover funeral expenses.

Kenni Cantu, 14, was one of two teens who died in a crash along K-18 early Sunday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.

Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp;Gaysha Alfred  both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638812130360.png" alt="Kenni Cantu-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Kenni Cantu-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — The sister of a Manhattan teen who died in a weekend accident has established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/kenni-cantus-funeral?member=15777861&amp;sharetype=teams&amp;utm_campaign=p_na+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">a fundraiser t</a>o help cover funeral expenses.Kenni Cantu, 14, was one of two teens who died in a crash along K-18 early Sunday.The Kansas Highway Patrol a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer driven by&nbsp; Paris Eboni&nbsp;Burgess, 17, Manhattan, was eastbound on Kansas 18 Highway (Fort Riley Boulevard) at Scenic Drive.The driver lost control of the SUV. The vehicle entered the south ditch,&nbsp; struck a concrete bridge pillar and caught fire.Two passengers identified as 14-year-old Kenni&nbsp; Cantu and 14-year-old&nbsp;Gaysha Alfred both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Frontier Forensics.EMS transported&nbsp;Burgess&nbsp; and passengers Alecia Reyna&nbsp; Smith Haynes, 13, Manhattan, to Via Christi in Manhattan and 14-year-old Jean Carlos&nbsp;Vazques-Ponce of Manhattan to KU Medical Center.As of Monday morning, $9,025 of the fund’s $25,000 goal has been raised.

GoFundMe established to assist accident victim's family

This week the iconic toy retailer announced it would be opening a two-story, 20,000 square-foot store in New Jersey, less than a year after the brand's first&nbsp;failed relaunch.&nbsp; &nbsp; Children's Bargain Town&nbsp; &nbsp; Toys "R" Us, first founded back in 1948 under the name "Children's Bargain Town", was one of the most iconic retailers to fall victim to big-box competition and e-commerce. At the height of its reach, the company operated more than 900 stores across the United States, all of which&nbsp;were closed in mid-2018&nbsp;as the company fell into bankruptcy after 5 years of declining sales and a looming debt pile.&nbsp; &nbsp; Since then, the Toys "R" Us brand has had quite a ride. After the bankruptcy the rights were picked up by a company called&nbsp;Tru&nbsp;Kidz&nbsp;Brand, which opened 2 smaller stores... which lasted about a year before succumbing to COVID-19, leaving the brand to be sold on again.&nbsp; &nbsp; The latest owner is WHP Global, which along with building the new flagship store has&nbsp;struck a deal with Macy's&nbsp;to sell toys under the Toys "R" Us brand in more than 400 Macy's department stores. A Toys "R" Us comeback? Stranger things have happened.&nbsp;

Righty tighty, lefty loosey An Austrian surgeon has been fined&nbsp;€2,700&nbsp;(~$3,000 USD) for gross negligence, after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/02/austrian-surgeon-fined-2700-for-amputating-wrong-leg">accidentally amputating the wrong leg&nbsp;</a>of a patient in surgery.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It's like soccer, with less scoring. Or anything else, evidently. The first&nbsp;5 games&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Chess World Championship&nbsp;have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/01/rare-nepomniachtchi-error-allows-carlsen-to-escape-with-another-draw">all ended in draws</a>,&nbsp;following the pattern of the last championship —&nbsp;where all&nbsp;12 games&nbsp;ended in a draw.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alexa, set my biological clock for never 44% of non-parents&nbsp;say it is <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/">not likely that they will have children</a> someday, an increase on the&nbsp;37%&nbsp;who answered similarly in 2018,&nbsp;according to Pew Research Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Finally, a Tesla I can afford... Tesla is finally going to start shipping the&nbsp;Cyberquad. Sorry,&nbsp;correction, they're going to&nbsp;ship a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813719/tesla-cyberquad-for-kids-pricing-features-availability">kids&nbsp;version&nbsp;of the vehicle</a>... a&nbsp;$1,900&nbsp;all-electric&nbsp;mini ATV.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Turns out releasing new models every 45 minutes not a great plan Apple&nbsp;is&nbsp;expecting to ship&nbsp;<a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/12/report-apple-has-cut-iphone-13-production-plans-amidst-supply-constraints/">10 million&nbsp;fewer iPhones&nbsp;over the coming months</a> than it was&nbsp;initially expecting — blaming supply constraints&nbsp;and weakening demand for the new models.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638811645044.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>This week the iconic toy retailer announced it would be opening a two-story, 20,000 square-foot store in New Jersey, less than a year after the brand's first&nbsp;failed relaunch.&nbsp; &nbsp; Children's Bargain Town&nbsp; &nbsp; Toys "R" Us, first founded back in 1948 under the name "Children's Bargain Town", was one of the most iconic retailers to fall victim to big-box competition and e-commerce. At the height of its reach, the company operated more than 900 stores across the United States, all of which&nbsp;were closed in mid-2018&nbsp;as the company fell into bankruptcy after 5 years of declining sales and a looming debt pile.&nbsp; &nbsp; Since then, the Toys "R" Us brand has had quite a ride. After the bankruptcy the rights were picked up by a company called&nbsp;Tru&nbsp;Kidz&nbsp;Brand, which opened 2 smaller stores... which lasted about a year before succumbing to COVID-19, leaving the brand to be sold on again.&nbsp; &nbsp; The latest owner is WHP Global, which along with building the new flagship store has&nbsp;struck a deal with Macy's&nbsp;to sell toys under the Toys "R" Us brand in more than 400 Macy's department stores. A Toys "R" Us comeback? Stranger things have happened.&nbsp;<h2>DATA SNACKS</h2>Righty tighty, lefty loosey An Austrian surgeon has been fined&nbsp;€2,700&nbsp;(~$3,000 USD) for gross negligence, after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/02/austrian-surgeon-fined-2700-for-amputating-wrong-leg">accidentally amputating the wrong leg&nbsp;</a>of a patient in surgery.&nbsp;&nbsp;It's like soccer, with less scoring. Or anything else, evidently. The first&nbsp;5 games&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Chess World Championship&nbsp;have <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/01/rare-nepomniachtchi-error-allows-carlsen-to-escape-with-another-draw">all ended in draws</a>,&nbsp;following the pattern of the last championship —&nbsp;where all&nbsp;12 games&nbsp;ended in a draw.&nbsp;&nbsp;Alexa, set my biological clock for never 44% of non-parents&nbsp;say it is <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/11/19/growing-share-of-childless-adults-in-u-s-dont-expect-to-ever-have-children/">not likely that they will have children</a> someday, an increase on the&nbsp;37%&nbsp;who answered similarly in 2018,&nbsp;according to Pew Research Center.&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, a Tesla I can afford... Tesla is finally going to start shipping the&nbsp;Cyberquad. Sorry,&nbsp;correction, they're going to&nbsp;ship a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/2/22813719/tesla-cyberquad-for-kids-pricing-features-availability">kids&nbsp;version&nbsp;of the vehicle</a>... a&nbsp;$1,900&nbsp;all-electric&nbsp;mini ATV.&nbsp;&nbsp;Turns out releasing new models every 45 minutes not a great plan Apple&nbsp;is&nbsp;expecting to ship&nbsp;<a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/12/report-apple-has-cut-iphone-13-production-plans-amidst-supply-constraints/">10 million&nbsp;fewer iPhones&nbsp;over the coming months</a> than it was&nbsp;initially expecting — blaming supply constraints&nbsp;and weakening demand for the new models.&nbsp;

Chart of the Day: Toys "R" trying it again this Christmas

Back glass smash On December 3,&nbsp;a 20-year-old female reported that someone threw a rock through the back window of her car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 700 block of Vattier Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ogden glass smash On December 3,&nbsp;a 32-year-old female reported that someone broke out the windows to her car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 300 block of Twelfth Street in Ogden. The&nbsp;loss is&nbsp;approximately $700.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Glass smash trifecta On December 3,&nbsp;a 49-year-old male and 50- and 51-year-old females reported that someone broke out the rear windows of all three of their cars. Officers filed three reports for criminal damage to property in the 1100 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan.&nbsp;The losses are estimated at $1,600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Galaxy far, far away On December 4, a 29-year-old male reported that someone stole his black Samsung Galaxy S20 from his unlocked car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for burglary in the 1300 block of Anderson Avenue in Manhattan. The&nbsp;loss associated is approximately $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stolen handgun On December 5, a 21-year-old male reported that someone broke into his truck and stole a black and silver Smith and Wesson .40 handgun.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for burglary in the 200 block of North Park Street in Ogden.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;

People still write, and forge, checks On December 5,&nbsp;a 62-year-old female as the victim when it was reported that someone stole, endorsed, and cashed a check the victim sent in the mail.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for forgery in the 500 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $1,600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gun-wielding bicycle bandit On December 5, a 51-year-old male reported a 36-year-old male suspect stole his bicycle while pointing a gun at him.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for aggravated robbery in the 400 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $700.&nbsp;

Be on the lookout for golfing musician On December 5, a 20-year-old male reported that someone stole his white 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with Calloway golf clubs and a Taylor acoustic guitar inside. Officers filed a report for theft in the 1500 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard in Manhattan. The estimated&nbsp;loss&nbsp; is&nbsp;$9,100.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635959253549.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Back glass smash On December 3,&nbsp;a 20-year-old female reported that someone threw a rock through the back window of her car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 700 block of Vattier Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;Ogden glass smash On December 3,&nbsp;a 32-year-old female reported that someone broke out the windows to her car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 300 block of Twelfth Street in Ogden. The&nbsp;loss is&nbsp;approximately $700.&nbsp;&nbsp;Glass smash trifecta On December 3,&nbsp;a 49-year-old male and 50- and 51-year-old females reported that someone broke out the rear windows of all three of their cars. Officers filed three reports for criminal damage to property in the 1100 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan.&nbsp;The losses are estimated at $1,600.&nbsp;&nbsp;Galaxy far, far away On December 4, a 29-year-old male reported that someone stole his black Samsung Galaxy S20 from his unlocked car.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for burglary in the 1300 block of Anderson Avenue in Manhattan. The&nbsp;loss associated is approximately $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;Stolen handgun On December 5, a 21-year-old male reported that someone broke into his truck and stole a black and silver Smith and Wesson .40 handgun.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for burglary in the 200 block of North Park Street in Ogden.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $500.&nbsp;&nbsp;People still write, and forge, checks On December 5,&nbsp;a 62-year-old female as the victim when it was reported that someone stole, endorsed, and cashed a check the victim sent in the mail.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for forgery in the 500 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $1,600.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gun-wielding bicycle bandit On December 5, a 51-year-old male reported a 36-year-old male suspect stole his bicycle while pointing a gun at him.&nbsp;Officers filed a report for aggravated robbery in the 400 block of Leavenworth Street in Manhattan.&nbsp;The estimated loss is $700.&nbsp;Be on the lookout for golfing musician On December 5, a 20-year-old male reported that someone stole his white 2005 Chevrolet Silverado with Calloway golf clubs and a Taylor acoustic guitar inside. Officers filed a report for theft in the 1500 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard in Manhattan. The estimated&nbsp;loss&nbsp; is&nbsp;$9,100.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.&nbsp;

Police Briefs December 6, 2021

ALIA DONEECE MARIE LUCAS, 24, MANHATTAN Battery on LEO, Bodily harm to corrections/court services officer on duty x 2; Battery on LEO, Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Criminal damage to property without consent value &lt; $1000; Interference with LEO, obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution BOND $26,000&nbsp;

&nbsp;JAMES ROBERT KORDYAK, 25, MANHATTAN Vehicle liability insurance,&nbsp;Knowingly&nbsp;drive uninsured vehicle; Ignition interlock device, operate a car without a required device BOND $750&nbsp;

CRASHAWN JAYVONN HART, 27, MANHATTAN Battery, knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm BOND $2,000&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1635949845205.png" alt="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." />
 <figcaption>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.</figcaption>
 </figure>ALIA DONEECE MARIE LUCAS, 24, MANHATTAN Battery on LEO, Bodily harm to corrections/court services officer on duty x 2; Battery on LEO, Physical contact with county or city officer on duty; Criminal damage to property without consent value &lt; $1000; Interference with LEO, obstruct/resist/oppose misdemeanor warrant service or execution BOND $26,000&nbsp;&nbsp;JAMES ROBERT KORDYAK, 25, MANHATTAN Vehicle liability insurance,&nbsp;Knowingly&nbsp;drive uninsured vehicle; Ignition interlock device, operate a car without a required device BOND $750&nbsp;CRASHAWN JAYVONN HART, 27, MANHATTAN Battery, knowing/recklessly causing bodily harm BOND $2,000&nbsp;

Arrest Report December 6, 2021

Richard Linton was selected as president of K-State by the Kansas Board of Regents at a December 2 meeting on the Manhattan campus and plans to start as the&nbsp;the 15th president of Kansas State University on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2022. Linton is the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. Until he arrives on campus in mid-February, current K-State President Richard Myers will remain at the helm. While Linton wraps up his responsibilities at NC State, he and Myers will also start on leadership transition plans. "I am honored to take on the role of president of Kansas State University," Linton said. "The university is on an exciting trajectory, and its community has a contagious passion, culture and connectivity. I'm energized to help K-State forward and build on this positive momentum.”

Land-grant missions, food science, and agriculture&nbsp;&nbsp; Linton is strongly connected to land-grant institutions, which is one of the reasons why he applied to become the next president of K-State. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology, master's degree in food science and doctorate in food science from Virginia Tech. From 1994-2011, he was a food science faculty member, director — and founder — of the Center for Food Safety Engineering and associate director of agricultural research programs at Purdue University. He served as department chair of food science and technology at The Ohio State University from 2011-2012 before accepting his current position with NC State.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Richard Linton was selected as president of K-State by the Kansas Board of Regents at a December 2 meeting on the Manhattan campus and plans to start as the&nbsp;the 15th president of Kansas State University on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2022. Linton is the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. Until he arrives on campus in mid-February, current K-State President Richard Myers will remain at the helm. While Linton wraps up his responsibilities at NC State, he and Myers will also start on leadership transition plans. "I am honored to take on the role of president of Kansas State University," Linton said. "The university is on an exciting trajectory, and its community has a contagious passion, culture and connectivity. I'm energized to help K-State forward and build on this positive momentum.”Land-grant missions, food science, and agriculture&nbsp;&nbsp; Linton is strongly connected to land-grant institutions, which is one of the reasons why he applied to become the next president of K-State. He earned his bachelor's degree in biology, master's degree in food science and doctorate in food science from Virginia Tech. From 1994-2011, he was a food science faculty member, director — and founder — of the Center for Food Safety Engineering and associate director of agricultural research programs at Purdue University. He served as department chair of food science and technology at The Ohio State University from 2011-2012 before accepting his current position with NC State.&nbsp;&nbsp;--by KSU Communications

It's a date: Linton will take over on Valentine's Day

Both the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceKansasPolice?__cft__[0]=AZV5k33vvOd7Qu7QAb5zg-sIhr93NRakmVdEHs7FJGgIcNd4q59s_6JtdubxDh8Qf7T8thb9aAqDjnP4NlYqA5Um384dmOerrw8LzF69jfR2AW2kjNp8BittNOiDbn5h-SJG10l4bmz3cC7H0jHGMdTpESMF-_-sRQUZ2N4cT3tEVA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank">Lawrence Kansas Police Department</a>&nbsp;and the Riley County Police Department continue to jointly investigate cases believed to involve the Kansas College Rapist.

Law enforcement encourages all residents to be vigilant in exercising personal safety and report any suspicious activity during the Winter break. Even for those not traveling, it is important to pay extra attention to activities surrounding your home.&nbsp;

ATTACKS OVER SCHOOL BREAKS With the exception of the very first incident, each rape coincided with a break from classes at the University of Kansas or Kansas State University.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Law enforcement officials encourage heightened awareness, especially during breaks and periods when many students go home, affording potential attackers more freedom to act with less chance for witnesses.

RESIDENTIAL SAFETY&nbsp;&nbsp; Keep doors and windows closed and locked.&nbsp;

Install good quality locks on doors and windows. Deadbolt door locks are always best. Sliding glass patio doors are frequent points of entry for burglars. They should always be reinforced by wedging a stick or pole firmly in the lower track behind the door.&nbsp;

Unplug your automatic overhead garage door opener when leaving for an extended period of time.&nbsp;

Keep shrubbery trimmed so doors and windows are not obscured.&nbsp;

Ask reliable neighbors to watch your residence when you are away. Keep newspapers, handbills, and mail picked-up while you are gone.&nbsp;

Keep valuables well-hidden, especially checkbooks and extra checks. Record and safely store serial numbers from valuable items, such as electronics and firearms.&nbsp;

Keep premises&nbsp;well-lit&nbsp;at night.&nbsp;

Never give information indicating when you will or will not be at home to those you don't know or through social media.&nbsp;

Never let strangers know if you live alone.&nbsp;

If you are gone overnight, use automatic timers on interior lights to give the appearance that the residence is occupied.&nbsp;

PERSONAL SAFETY&nbsp; Be aware of your surroundings.&nbsp;

Never open door to strangers; require ID of service or repair people.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638789956391.jpeg" alt="Between 2000-2015, there were 14 completed or attempted rapes of female college students inside their off-campus homes in Manhattan and Lawrence. Investigators believe the attacks were committed by the same man.&nbsp; (photo illustration)" />
 <figcaption>Between 2000-2015, there were 14 completed or attempted rapes of female college students inside their off-campus homes in Manhattan and Lawrence. Investigators believe the attacks were committed by the same man.&nbsp; (photo illustration)</figcaption>
 </figure>Both the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceKansasPolice?__cft__[0]=AZV5k33vvOd7Qu7QAb5zg-sIhr93NRakmVdEHs7FJGgIcNd4q59s_6JtdubxDh8Qf7T8thb9aAqDjnP4NlYqA5Um384dmOerrw8LzF69jfR2AW2kjNp8BittNOiDbn5h-SJG10l4bmz3cC7H0jHGMdTpESMF-_-sRQUZ2N4cT3tEVA&amp;__tn__=-]K-R" target="_blank">Lawrence Kansas Police Department</a>&nbsp;and the Riley County Police Department continue to jointly investigate cases believed to involve the Kansas College Rapist. Law enforcement encourages all residents to be vigilant in exercising personal safety and report any suspicious activity during the Winter break. Even for those not traveling, it is important to pay extra attention to activities surrounding your home.&nbsp;ATTACKS OVER SCHOOL BREAKS With the exception of the very first incident, each rape coincided with a break from classes at the University of Kansas or Kansas State University.&nbsp; &nbsp;Law enforcement officials encourage heightened awareness, especially during breaks and periods when many students go home, affording potential attackers more freedom to act with less chance for witnesses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638789935318.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RESIDENTIAL SAFETY&nbsp;&nbsp; Keep doors and windows closed and locked.&nbsp; Install good quality locks on doors and windows. Deadbolt door locks are always best. Sliding glass patio doors are frequent points of entry for burglars. They should always be reinforced by wedging a stick or pole firmly in the lower track behind the door.&nbsp;Unplug your automatic overhead garage door opener when leaving for an extended period of time.&nbsp;Install peepholes in doors.&nbsp;Keep shrubbery trimmed so doors and windows are not obscured.&nbsp;Ask reliable neighbors to watch your residence when you are away. Keep newspapers, handbills, and mail picked-up while you are gone.&nbsp;Keep valuables well-hidden, especially checkbooks and extra checks. Record and safely store serial numbers from valuable items, such as electronics and firearms.&nbsp;Keep premises&nbsp;well-lit&nbsp;at night.&nbsp;Never let strangers into your home&nbsp;Never give information indicating when you will or will not be at home to those you don't know or through social media.&nbsp;Never let strangers know if you live alone.&nbsp;If you are gone overnight, use automatic timers on interior lights to give the appearance that the residence is occupied.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1638790960922.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>PERSONAL SAFETY&nbsp; Be aware of your surroundings.&nbsp;Never open door to strangers; require ID of service or repair people.&nbsp;Plan several escape routes from your home.&nbsp;Park in well-lit areas.&nbsp;If you come home and something looks wrong or different - do not enter, go to a safe place and call police.&nbsp;&nbsp;Keep money in a pocket instead of a purse or wallet.&nbsp;Portray a confident and self-reliant person, walk like you have a mission.&nbsp;Do not walk or jog alone at night.&nbsp;If someone makes you feel uncomfortable or the situation just does not seem right, trust your instincts and leave.&nbsp;Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.&nbsp;If you are attacked or robbed, or you witness violence, contact the police immediately.&nbsp;Immediately report anyone seen watching people or acting suspicious.&nbsp;Both departments offer these tips to help students in combatting crimes of all types. As always, to report crimes in progress, call 911 immediately. For non-emergent reports call (785) 537-2112 in Manhattan and (785) 832-7509 in Lawrence. You may also contact&nbsp;CrimeStoppers&nbsp;by calling (785) 539-7777 in Manhattan and (785) 843-TIPS in Lawrence.&nbsp;