You can cut your own Christmas tree to decorate your home for FREE!

Manhattan Parks &amp; Rec will host their 10th annual Red Cedar Holiday Harvest on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 - 11 AM at the Warner Memorial Park in Manhattan.

This family-friendly event is FREE for everyone! They are partnering with Britt’s Farm for this community event, and will be offering a hayrack ride to and from the trees and have assorted goods for sale.

Bring a handsaw; no chainsaws allowed. Parks and Rec staff and Manhattan Fire Department will be on hand to assist if needed.

For more info email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com or call 785-587-2754.

Tree recycling will be available through January 31 at Longs Park. Please remove all ornaments and decorations before recycling.

You can cut your own Christmas tree to decorate your home for FREE!Manhattan Parks &amp; Rec will host their 10th annual Red Cedar Holiday Harvest on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 - 11 AM at the Warner Memorial Park in Manhattan.This family-friendly event is FREE for everyone! They are partnering with Britt’s Farm for this community event, and will be offering a hayrack ride to and from the trees and have assorted goods for sale.Bring a handsaw; no chainsaws allowed. Parks and Rec staff and Manhattan Fire Department will be on hand to assist if needed.For more info email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com or call 785-587-2754.Tree recycling will be available through January 31 at Longs Park. Please remove all ornaments and decorations before recycling.

Red Cedar Holiday Harvest

On the morning of his federal trial this week for raping and terrorizing vulnerable Black women in the Kansas City, Kansas neighborhoods he patrolled for 35 years, ex-cop Roger Golubski&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/us/kansas-detective-roger-golubski-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU4.IynZ.E1v2SUhHPHiE&amp;smid=url-share">fatally shot himself</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/overlooked">story</a>, much like last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/13/nx-s1-5073947/kansas-marion-county-record-newspaper-raid-police-chief-charged">Marion police newsroom raid</a>, is another national black eye for law enforcement in Kansas abusing the public’s trust. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel coined the phrase “policing by consent” with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policing-by-consent/definition-of-policing-by-consent">nine principles</a>&nbsp;for democratic policing while establishing London’s first police force. In a nutshell, we consent to the idea of trusting some members of the community to exercise powers required to keep the peace on behalf of the community. In return, we willingly pledge our cooperation.

Police do not serve the state like an occupying army. They serve the people.&nbsp;This philosophy is foundational in most American police academies. At its core are accountability, transparency, and social ties. When these break, we break.&nbsp;Years of racial disparities for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/graphs.aspx">wrongful convictions</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/one-in-five-ending-racial-inequity-in-incarceration/">incarcerations</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/696355#:~:text=In%20the%20century%20since%20the,2015;%20Reppetto%2C%202012).">excessive force</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123070/police-shootings-rate-ethnicity-us/">lethal shootings</a>&nbsp;culminated in the fateful spring of 2020 when George Floyd became a tragic household name. Anti-police riots spawned a “back the blue” counter movement.&nbsp;People on both sides did not consent to what they were seeing.As a result, many bipartisan reforms took place from DC to statehouses and city halls to regain the consent of the public – bans on neck restraints and no-knock warrants, body-cam proliferation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4003">de-escalation training</a>, critical response teams with mental health professionals,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.akronohio.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/citizens_police_oversight_board.php">civilian oversight boards</a>, and ramped-up community policing.&nbsp;

None of these have necessarily proven to be blanket panaceas. Amidst local success stories,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/fatal-police-shootings-unreported/?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template">fatal police shootings</a>&nbsp;have risen along with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/?utm_campaign=launch&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_term=mapping%20police%20violence&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoiCFvckTQymuYnbmzZFMlEI3YElA&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA0rW6BhAcEiwAQH28Ik5TnM_C-tX1_YaXZGpGDGqPLEubcB34Uev_gPl1wxtIGpghE-5nTRoCIMAQAvD_BwE">police killings</a>.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/study-of-fatal-and-nonfatal-shootings-by-police-reveals-racial-disparities-dispatch-risks">Better data</a>&nbsp;on police incidents are shared but lack enough standardization to drive dependable policy making. Meanwhile, another proven reform – women in policing – careens into politically charged climates because of DEI implications and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/military-women-defense-hegseth-combat-916d50a7b465ccfea1aeb13bb91064b3">questioning women in combat</a>.&nbsp;Part of the debate revolves around the national&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/">30X30</a>&nbsp;initiative. 30X30 has sparked awareness on the benefits of women in policing with a goal of increasing representation from 20% to 30% for recruits by 2030. Wichita, Overland Park, and Salina have joined over 200 localities in taking this pledge. However, Topeka’s incoming police chief recently endorsed 30X30 amidst&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/14/topeka-police-chief-finalist-wants-more-female-officers-gop-objects/76220824007/">GOP pushback on quotas for women</a>.

Given policing’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/239416_IACP_RecruitmentBR_HR_0.pdf">staffing crisis</a>, local leaders would be remiss not to make a bigger play for half of the state’s population. After 2020,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://klcjournal.com/wichitas-police-shortage/">Wichita</a>&nbsp;was 14% below authorized full-strength,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/18/police-chief-union-disagree-on-whether-topeka-police-staffing-crisis/69569929007/">Topeka</a>&nbsp;13%, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://johnsoncountypost.com/2022/03/15/police-vacancies-142647/">Overland Park</a>&nbsp;11%. Also,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/what-works/">research</a>&nbsp;shows women police are less apt to use excessive force, perceived as more honest and compassionate, named in fewer complaints/lawsuits and hold strong&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">communication skills</a>&nbsp;- an advantage for a job considered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">90 percent social work</a>&nbsp;today.Nationally, 14% of sworn officers are female. Kansas is only 12% with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://policedata.org/report/ks">use of force incidents climbing</a>.

Two jurisdictions with falling use of force incidents include Junction City and Leavenworth. Curiously, they have two of the highest female officer rates at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/stats_law.shtml">27%</a>&nbsp;after hitting single digits in 2003. By contrast, the Kansas Highway Patrol added just three female officers since 2003 and currently sit at 6%.Moving towards a 30% female recruit goal aligns with a representative bureaucracy ideal where credibility, fairness, trust, and performance are heightened as civil servant composition reflects the population composition they serve.&nbsp;Will our consent be more about climbing 5-foot walls or breaking glass walls?For the police are us. And we are the police.&nbsp;

Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

Bill Fiander, AICP Lecturer, Public Administration&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the morning of his federal trial this week for raping and terrorizing vulnerable Black women in the Kansas City, Kansas neighborhoods he patrolled for 35 years, ex-cop Roger Golubski&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/us/kansas-detective-roger-golubski-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU4.IynZ.E1v2SUhHPHiE&amp;smid=url-share">fatally shot himself</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/overlooked">story</a>, much like last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/13/nx-s1-5073947/kansas-marion-county-record-newspaper-raid-police-chief-charged">Marion police newsroom raid</a>, is another national black eye for law enforcement in Kansas abusing the public’s trust. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel coined the phrase “policing by consent” with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policing-by-consent/definition-of-policing-by-consent">nine principles</a>&nbsp;for democratic policing while establishing London’s first police force. In a nutshell, we consent to the idea of trusting some members of the community to exercise powers required to keep the peace on behalf of the community. In return, we willingly pledge our cooperation. Police do not serve the state like an occupying army. They serve the people.&nbsp;This philosophy is foundational in most American police academies. At its core are accountability, transparency, and social ties. When these break, we break.&nbsp;Years of racial disparities for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/graphs.aspx">wrongful convictions</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/one-in-five-ending-racial-inequity-in-incarceration/">incarcerations</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/696355#:~:text=In%20the%20century%20since%20the,2015;%20Reppetto%2C%202012).">excessive force</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123070/police-shootings-rate-ethnicity-us/">lethal shootings</a>&nbsp;culminated in the fateful spring of 2020 when George Floyd became a tragic household name. Anti-police riots spawned a “back the blue” counter movement.&nbsp;People on both sides did not consent to what they were seeing.As a result, many bipartisan reforms took place from DC to statehouses and city halls to regain the consent of the public – bans on neck restraints and no-knock warrants, body-cam proliferation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4003">de-escalation training</a>, critical response teams with mental health professionals,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.akronohio.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/citizens_police_oversight_board.php">civilian oversight boards</a>, and ramped-up community policing.&nbsp;None of these have necessarily proven to be blanket panaceas. Amidst local success stories,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/fatal-police-shootings-unreported/?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template">fatal police shootings</a>&nbsp;have risen along with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/?utm_campaign=launch&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_term=mapping%20police%20violence&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoiCFvckTQymuYnbmzZFMlEI3YElA&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA0rW6BhAcEiwAQH28Ik5TnM_C-tX1_YaXZGpGDGqPLEubcB34Uev_gPl1wxtIGpghE-5nTRoCIMAQAvD_BwE">police killings</a>.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/study-of-fatal-and-nonfatal-shootings-by-police-reveals-racial-disparities-dispatch-risks">Better data</a>&nbsp;on police incidents are shared but lack enough standardization to drive dependable policy making. Meanwhile, another proven reform – women in policing – careens into politically charged climates because of DEI implications and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/military-women-defense-hegseth-combat-916d50a7b465ccfea1aeb13bb91064b3">questioning women in combat</a>.&nbsp;Part of the debate revolves around the national&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/">30X30</a>&nbsp;initiative. 30X30 has sparked awareness on the benefits of women in policing with a goal of increasing representation from 20% to 30% for recruits by 2030. Wichita, Overland Park, and Salina have joined over 200 localities in taking this pledge. However, Topeka’s incoming police chief recently endorsed 30X30 amidst&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/14/topeka-police-chief-finalist-wants-more-female-officers-gop-objects/76220824007/">GOP pushback on quotas for women</a>.Given policing’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/239416_IACP_RecruitmentBR_HR_0.pdf">staffing crisis</a>, local leaders would be remiss not to make a bigger play for half of the state’s population. After 2020,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://klcjournal.com/wichitas-police-shortage/">Wichita</a>&nbsp;was 14% below authorized full-strength,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/18/police-chief-union-disagree-on-whether-topeka-police-staffing-crisis/69569929007/">Topeka</a>&nbsp;13%, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://johnsoncountypost.com/2022/03/15/police-vacancies-142647/">Overland Park</a>&nbsp;11%. Also,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/what-works/">research</a>&nbsp;shows women police are less apt to use excessive force, perceived as more honest and compassionate, named in fewer complaints/lawsuits and hold strong&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">communication skills</a>&nbsp;- an advantage for a job considered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">90 percent social work</a>&nbsp;today.Nationally, 14% of sworn officers are female. Kansas is only 12% with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://policedata.org/report/ks">use of force incidents climbing</a>. Two jurisdictions with falling use of force incidents include Junction City and Leavenworth. Curiously, they have two of the highest female officer rates at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/stats_law.shtml">27%</a>&nbsp;after hitting single digits in 2003. By contrast, the Kansas Highway Patrol added just three female officers since 2003 and currently sit at 6%.Moving towards a 30% female recruit goal aligns with a representative bureaucracy ideal where credibility, fairness, trust, and performance are heightened as civil servant composition reflects the population composition they serve.&nbsp;Will our consent be more about climbing 5-foot walls or breaking glass walls?For the police are us. And we are the police.&nbsp;Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.Bill Fiander, AICP Lecturer, Public Administration&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Political Science

Breaking the Glass Wall: Women in Policing

HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Chancellor Copenhaver, 33, died Wednesday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Copenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Copenhaver was serving a 121-month sentence for convictions of attempted second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and stalking in Riley County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733343953732.png" alt="Copenhaver-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Copenhaver-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Chancellor Copenhaver, 33, died Wednesday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Copenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Copenhaver was serving a 121-month sentence for convictions of attempted second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and stalking in Riley County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

Inmate serving time for crimes in Riley Co. found dead in his cell

The recent Festival of Lights served as one of the kickoffs to the holiday season in Manhattan.

The Festival of Lights was held at the Blue Earth Plaza in downtown manhattan.

The recent Festival of Lights served as one of the kickoffs to the holiday season in Manhattan.<figure>
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 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733360418380.jpeg" alt=" " />
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 </figure>The Festival of Lights was held at the Blue Earth Plaza in downtown manhattan.

Festival of Lights are a holiday highlight

RILEY COUNTY—A man was injured in an accidental shooting in Manhattan.

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of discharging a firearm in the 2500 Block of Farm Bureau Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 19-year-old man shot himself in the foot.&nbsp; He was transported to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—A man was injured in an accidental shooting in Manhattan.Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of discharging a firearm in the 2500 Block of Farm Bureau Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 19-year-old man shot himself in the foot.&nbsp; He was transported to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RCPD: Man hospitalized after accidental shooting

RILEY COUNTY —Police recovered a vehicle stolen on Tuesday in Manhattan.

Just before 2:30p.m. Tuesday, a 23-year-old man reported his Mazda 6 was stolen during the morning hours from the 3300 block of Musil Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;Just after 11:30p.m. the vehicle was recovered.

RILEY COUNTY —Police recovered a vehicle stolen on Tuesday in Manhattan.Just before 2:30p.m. Tuesday, a 23-year-old man reported his Mazda 6 was stolen during the morning hours from the 3300 block of Musil Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;Just after 11:30p.m. the vehicle was recovered.

RCPD: Car stolen in Manhattan recovered

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.

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733324657802.png" alt="" />
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Riley County Arrest Report December 4

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dillons is celebrating the 12 Merry Days of Deals event. From December 4 through December 15, customers can clip a new hot digital deal each day for redemption by December 17. 

“12 Merry Days of deals are just days away and we can’t wait to surprise customers each day with a new way to save big this holiday season,” said Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager at Dillons. “We hope customers have fun discovering daily offers to help them save during the busiest time of the year.”

During 12 Merry Days, Dillons is revealing a hot new deal every day. Each daily offer will be available to clip for one day only at <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app and can be redeemed through December 17. Offers may be redeemed up to five times each in a single transaction.

Customers can look forward to a surprise deal every Merry Day from December 4 through December 15 on products across the store, including items such as goods for holiday hosting, seasonal merchandise, fresh and more! Check back each day for a hot deal.

Visit the Dillons app or website each day from December 4-15.

Clip the featured digital coupon each day; only one coupon will be available each day for 12 days to download.

In store, customers must enter their Rewards Card number at checkout to ensure the deal is applied to their purchase.

Redeem all participating digital coupons by December 17.

Deals can be redeemed in-store or through Dillons Pickup and Delivery, offering the same products at the same low prices no matter how customers shop.  

In addition to 12 Merry Days of savings, customers can also look forward to a Dashing Deal for the holidays in celebration of National Cookie Day. Now through December 10, customers can receive free Bakery Fresh Hot Cocoa Cookies (2 count) with the purchase of any 12 count Bakery Fresh Cookies with their loyalty card. No coupon required, offer valid with loyalty card through December 10.

For everyday savings, visit <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app, offering more than $600 in savings available weekly in digital coupons. With more than 30,000 mouthwatering possibilities, customers are a swipe away from inspiration to reality. Dillons is worth it every time.

Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® eligible cardmembers may now redeem a free one-year, next-day Boost membership or cardholders who are current annual Boost members may receive a free one-year extension of their next-day Boost membership. To learn more and redeem this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® cardmember offer visit the Boost Membership Benefits page.  

The creditor and issuer of the Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1731718285382.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>DillonsHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dillons is celebrating the 12 Merry Days of Deals event. From December 4 through December 15, customers can clip a new hot digital deal each day for redemption by December 17. “12 Merry Days of deals are just days away and we can’t wait to surprise customers each day with a new way to save big this holiday season,” said Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager at Dillons. “We hope customers have fun discovering daily offers to help them save during the busiest time of the year.”During 12 Merry Days, Dillons is revealing a hot new deal every day. Each daily offer will be available to clip for one day only at <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app and can be redeemed through December 17. Offers may be redeemed up to five times each in a single transaction.Customers can look forward to a surprise deal every Merry Day from December 4 through December 15 on products across the store, including items such as goods for holiday hosting, seasonal merchandise, fresh and more! Check back each day for a hot deal.How to participate: Visit the Dillons app or website each day from December 4-15.Log into digital account.Clip the featured digital coupon each day; only one coupon will be available each day for 12 days to download.In store, customers must enter their Rewards Card number at checkout to ensure the deal is applied to their purchase.Redeem all participating digital coupons by December 17.Deals can be redeemed in-store or through Dillons Pickup and Delivery, offering the same products at the same low prices no matter how customers shop. In addition to 12 Merry Days of savings, customers can also look forward to a Dashing Deal for the holidays in celebration of National Cookie Day. Now through December 10, customers can receive free Bakery Fresh Hot Cocoa Cookies (2 count) with the purchase of any 12 count Bakery Fresh Cookies with their loyalty card. No coupon required, offer valid with loyalty card through December 10.For everyday savings, visit <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app, offering more than $600 in savings available weekly in digital coupons. With more than 30,000 mouthwatering possibilities, customers are a swipe away from inspiration to reality. Dillons is worth it every time.Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® eligible cardmembers may now redeem a free one-year, next-day Boost membership or cardholders who are current annual Boost members may receive a free one-year extension of their next-day Boost membership. To learn more and redeem this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® cardmember offer visit the Boost Membership Benefits page. The creditor and issuer of the Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.

Special Dillons digital event starts Wednesday

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Eisenhower Presidential Library will offer a series of mini-teacher workshops to area educators. The first of these two-hour workshops will take place on January 15 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library&nbsp;building at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene.&nbsp;This event is free for teachers and they will receive a&nbsp;professional development&nbsp;certificate of attendance.&nbsp;A grab and go snack will also be provided.

This is the first in a series of four workshops offered in 2025. Registration is required and can be completed on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mzSVubiC7ZOulu0oXyhz_UyuxsDwpkn8CbxUTZBCXiTIy8V-C-jv_UIIQ6g9u1Z9La65LHpMVeb5-o382FRNDWVujLv7jXb56zLG2uanJsMc6ksVu8oX18YNS2JFQGT9AUBDxF6NUoScji9Xm2kfL0tH1gRQTFXz05lS8KUyuYpwsarbKYgFNyY=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">Ike's Professional Learning Community</a>&nbsp;webpage.&nbsp;Full program details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mxfUyEcpnJnf_ajGZDU8y-EoSO0D7vWlaPg7ZqKok-ELouUxq0q2oXYU6Ou-2eclbQNwMOrD8I0Pe3Ru2Cj14PVvxUV6D8mSZ-4g3_gQoQQll-JZ9JwVngM=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Eisenhower Presidential Library will offer a series of mini-teacher workshops to area educators. The first of these two-hour workshops will take place on January 15 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library&nbsp;building at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene.&nbsp;This event is free for teachers and they will receive a&nbsp;professional development&nbsp;certificate of attendance.&nbsp;A grab and go snack will also be provided.This is the first in a series of four workshops offered in 2025. Registration is required and can be completed on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mzSVubiC7ZOulu0oXyhz_UyuxsDwpkn8CbxUTZBCXiTIy8V-C-jv_UIIQ6g9u1Z9La65LHpMVeb5-o382FRNDWVujLv7jXb56zLG2uanJsMc6ksVu8oX18YNS2JFQGT9AUBDxF6NUoScji9Xm2kfL0tH1gRQTFXz05lS8KUyuYpwsarbKYgFNyY=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">Ike's Professional Learning Community</a>&nbsp;webpage.&nbsp;Full program details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mxfUyEcpnJnf_ajGZDU8y-EoSO0D7vWlaPg7ZqKok-ELouUxq0q2oXYU6Ou-2eclbQNwMOrD8I0Pe3Ru2Cj14PVvxUV6D8mSZ-4g3_gQoQQll-JZ9JwVngM=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.

Mini-teacher workshops are scheduled at the Eisenhower Presidential Library

Riley County police will support Tip-A-Cop benefitting Special Olympics Kansas. They will be at Texas Roadhouse from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th. All donations will go to help the 4,200 Special Olympics Kansas athletes during their upcoming sports season.

Riley County police will support Tip-A-Cop benefitting Special Olympics Kansas. They will be at Texas Roadhouse from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th. All donations will go to help the 4,200 Special Olympics Kansas athletes during their upcoming sports season.

RCPD will participate in Tip-A-Cop

Kansas City—The holiday season is here with festive lights and decorations. As families get ready to decorate,&nbsp;Evergy reminds customers to be safe with both indoor and outdoor holiday lights.

For more safety tips this holiday season, visit evergy.com/holidaysafety.&nbsp;

Kansas City—The holiday season is here with festive lights and decorations. As families get ready to decorate,&nbsp;Evergy reminds customers to be safe with both indoor and outdoor holiday lights.<ul>
 <li>Inspect electrical decorations for damage:&nbsp;Discard decorations that are cracked or have damaged sockets or loose or bare wires.</li><li>Make sure holiday lights and decorations are properly rated for indoor or outdoor use:&nbsp;Only use indoor lights inside your home and outdoor lights outside. Not all lights are built to handle winter weather.</li><li>Don’t connect more than three strings of lights:&nbsp;This could blow a fuse and start a fire.</li><li>Look for certification labels: Decorations should have labels from independent testing laboratories such as&nbsp;Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Intertek (ETL). If they don’t, they haven’t been tested for safety and could be a fire hazard.</li><li>Don’t overload outlets:&nbsp;Overloaded outlets are a common cause of fires. Only plug one power strip or one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time.</li><li>Water your real tree daily:&nbsp;Dry trees are a serious fire hazard.</li><li>Use battery-operated candles:&nbsp;Almost half of all decoration fires are started by candles. Unattended candles are the cause of one in five home candle fires.</li><li>Protect your electrical cords from damage:&nbsp;Don’t pinch them through doorways, windows or under furniture. Don’t place them under rugs or near heat sources.</li><li>When you go to sleep, so should your decorations:&nbsp;Turn off, unplug,&nbsp;and extinguish all decorations when they aren’t attended. &nbsp;Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.</li>
 </ul>For more safety tips this holiday season, visit evergy.com/holidaysafety.&nbsp;

Evergy offers holiday lights and decoration tips

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733238343134.png" alt="" />
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Riley County Arrest Report December 3

Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) personnel assisted 893 motorists over the holiday reporting period

The reporting period for the holiday ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI-related crash involving one non-DUI-related fatality over the holiday reporting period. The fatal crash occurred in Nemaha County. Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>.

Information in the table is compared to the data from both 2022 and 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562779124931.png" alt="Kansas highway patrol" />
 <figcaption>Kansas highway patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedKansas Highway Patrol (KHP) personnel assisted 893 motorists over the holiday reporting periodThe reporting period for the holiday ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI-related crash involving one non-DUI-related fatality over the holiday reporting period. The fatal crash occurred in Nemaha County. Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>.Information in the table is compared to the data from both 2022 and 2023.<figure>
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KHP Thanksgiving Holiday Activity Report

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Fort Riley will be held Thursday evening at Ware Parade Field, 500 Huebner Road. It wi ll begin at 5:30 p.m.

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Fort Riley will be held Thursday evening at Ware Parade Field, 500 Huebner Road. It wi ll begin at 5:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733190741987.jpeg" alt="( Photo - Fort Riley )" />
 <figcaption>( Photo - Fort Riley )</figcaption>
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Tree Lighting Ceremony set for Fort Riley

According to a post on the Riley County police Facebook page five puppies were found abandoned in a box in a&nbsp; Popeyes restaurant parking lot in Manhattan Sunday night.

The puppies will be held at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prairiepawsmhk?__cft__[0]=AZWpHutdivkLT8v7gUjpc_WpCbrS6nFph-wNMd4AAzMHpqDziJb6nvZFE6gdJKIkR87Co4Ghro-UVBKa0VwhkkVink_-fhe_nsKkGuyFqpmkzfx82bGXAIvhPCUnTEUUv8aPurXciFNYOf9Cnpta8VW3Dv8229GzrjvFyltj_rjy4yMVYJqLL_hFNbOetf9j13vnpEVSAgAo2fOTFZJ_X8_uo-gUe_vhvwZD0HnX87GaMA&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Prairie Paws Animal Shelter - Manhattan KS</a> for their mandatory 72-hour stray hold. After this period, they will go directly into a foster home and will not be available for adoption at this time. They are currently classified as strays, and an investigation is ongoing. If you have any questions about fostering or adopting please contact Prairie Paws.

&nbsp;With the temperatures dropping low Sunday night, the puppies may not have made it but someone found them and kept them safe until Monday morning. Authorities are seeking information that the public may have regarding the pups.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733175179770.jpeg" alt="( Photo - City of Manhattan Animal Control )" />
 <figcaption>( Photo - City of Manhattan Animal Control )</figcaption>
 </figure>According to a post on the Riley County police Facebook page five puppies were found abandoned in a box in a&nbsp; Popeyes restaurant parking lot in Manhattan Sunday night.The puppies will be held at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prairiepawsmhk?__cft__[0]=AZWpHutdivkLT8v7gUjpc_WpCbrS6nFph-wNMd4AAzMHpqDziJb6nvZFE6gdJKIkR87Co4Ghro-UVBKa0VwhkkVink_-fhe_nsKkGuyFqpmkzfx82bGXAIvhPCUnTEUUv8aPurXciFNYOf9Cnpta8VW3Dv8229GzrjvFyltj_rjy4yMVYJqLL_hFNbOetf9j13vnpEVSAgAo2fOTFZJ_X8_uo-gUe_vhvwZD0HnX87GaMA&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Prairie Paws Animal Shelter - Manhattan KS</a> for their mandatory 72-hour stray hold. After this period, they will go directly into a foster home and will not be available for adoption at this time. They are currently classified as strays, and an investigation is ongoing. If you have any questions about fostering or adopting please contact Prairie Paws.&nbsp;With the temperatures dropping low Sunday night, the puppies may not have made it but someone found them and kept them safe until Monday morning. Authorities are seeking information that the public may have regarding the pups.&nbsp;

Abandoned puppies are found 

After a productive ten years, Joe and Sheila Markley have announced their retirement as co-directors of the Junction City Opera House, effective January 31, 2025.

The Opera House Board diligently searched for a new director and is delighted to announce that a new Director has been selected. Mary Ellen (Ellie) Dillon, a longtime resident of Junction City, will bring immense expertise in all functions of theater work and her experience working with the public sector in her current position with the USD475 school district.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733167727547.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Opera House release -After a productive ten years, Joe and Sheila Markley have announced their retirement as co-directors of the Junction City Opera House, effective January 31, 2025.The Opera House Board diligently searched for a new director and is delighted to announce that a new Director has been selected. Mary Ellen (Ellie) Dillon, a longtime resident of Junction City, will bring immense expertise in all functions of theater work and her experience working with the public sector in her current position with the USD475 school district.

Ellie Dillon to be new Opera House Director

RILEY COUNTY—Three people were injured in separate weekend accidents in Riley County.

Just before 11a.m. Saturday, a 2013 Toyota Tacoma&nbsp;&nbsp;driven by John Mayes, 21, collided head-on with a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Marco Galeano-Casco, 47,&nbsp;at the corner of Leavenworth Street and N. Juliette Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

EMS transported Galeano-Casco to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. He was cited for driving without a driver's license and no proof of insurance.&nbsp;

Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, a 1997 Ford F-150 driven by William McNee, 66, of Junction City, struck a 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by Charles Stutler, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, at the intersection of Richards Drive and Fort Riley Blvd, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

EMS transported the front seat passengers from both vehicles to Via Christi via EMS for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—Three people were injured in separate weekend accidents in Riley County.Just before 11a.m. Saturday, a 2013 Toyota Tacoma&nbsp;&nbsp;driven by John Mayes, 21, collided head-on with a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Marco Galeano-Casco, 47,&nbsp;at the corner of Leavenworth Street and N. Juliette Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.EMS transported Galeano-Casco to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. He was cited for driving without a driver's license and no proof of insurance.&nbsp;Just before 1:30p.m. Saturday, a 1997 Ford F-150 driven by William McNee, 66, of Junction City, struck a 2014 Honda Odyssey driven by Charles Stutler, 30, of San Antonio, Texas, at the intersection of Richards Drive and Fort Riley Blvd, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.EMS transported the front seat passengers from both vehicles to Via Christi via EMS for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The RCPD released no additional details.

3 hospitalized in separate weekend accidents in Riley Co.

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733151914484.png" alt="" />
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Riley County Arrest Report December 2

MANHATTAN, KAN.&nbsp;– The Riley County Police Department is actively investigating two overnight shootings reported in Manhattan.

Just before 8p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 2000 block of College Heights, according to a media release from the RCPD. Officers located a 23-year-old female with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Just before 6a.m. Sunday, officers responded to another report of shots fired in the 1800 block of Claflin Road. Upon arrival, three individuals were found with gunshot wounds. EMS transported all three to Ascension Via Christi for treatment.

Officers have been on the scene throughout the day, collecting and processing evidence. Preliminary findings suggest the two incidents are related. However, there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.

RCPD is pursuing all leads and urges anyone with information about either incident to contact the department. Tips can be submitted by calling the RCPD non-emergency line at 785-537-2112 or through Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Crime Stoppers allows for anonymity and may qualify tipsters for a cash reward.

These investigations remain active, and we appreciate the public’s patience as officers work diligently to gather evidence and follow up on leads.&nbsp;

Riley County police responded to multiple shooting reports Saturday night and early Sunday morning in Manhattan.

Officers advised the public to avoid the 2000 block of Hunting Ave and College Heights &amp; Goodnow as officers processed the scenes. Earlier they also responded to a case in the 1800 block of Claflin Ave.

More information will be released when available.

MANHATTAN, KAN.&nbsp;– The Riley County Police Department is actively investigating two overnight shootings reported in Manhattan.Just before 8p.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 2000 block of College Heights, according to a media release from the RCPD. Officers located a 23-year-old female with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Just before 6a.m. Sunday, officers responded to another report of shots fired in the 1800 block of Claflin Road. Upon arrival, three individuals were found with gunshot wounds. EMS transported all three to Ascension Via Christi for treatment.Officers have been on the scene throughout the day, collecting and processing evidence. Preliminary findings suggest the two incidents are related. However, there is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.RCPD is pursuing all leads and urges anyone with information about either incident to contact the department. Tips can be submitted by calling the RCPD non-emergency line at 785-537-2112 or through Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Crime Stoppers allows for anonymity and may qualify tipsters for a cash reward.These investigations remain active, and we appreciate the public’s patience as officers work diligently to gather evidence and follow up on leads.&nbsp;--------------Riley County police responded to multiple shooting reports Saturday night and early Sunday morning in Manhattan.Officers advised the public to avoid the 2000 block of Hunting Ave and College Heights &amp; Goodnow as officers processed the scenes. Earlier they also responded to a case in the 1800 block of Claflin Ave.More information will be released when available.

RCPD:  4 hospitalized after 2 separate shootings in Manhattan

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.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733068483147.png" alt="" />
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Riley County Arrest Report November 30, December 1

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas-based chapters of nonprofit organizations focused on wildlife conservation and promoting the hunting and fishing heritage have a special fundraising opportunity thanks to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Through the Commission Big Game Permit program, eligible organizations can enter a random drawing for one of seven special big game hunting permits, which may then be sold to fund conservation projects. The drawing will take place at the Commission's meeting on January 30, 2025. Applicants do not need to be present to win.

Applications are due by Jan. 17, 2025. To submit an application:

Each year, the program offers up to seven Commission Big Game permits (no more than one elk and one antelope and up to seven deer permits), depending on applicants’ preferences. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with the legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder may obtain.

Winning organizations keep 15 percent of their sale price of the Commission Big Game Permit to support their missions. The remaining 85 percent is held by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks until a mutually agreed upon conservation project is approved. (If Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is drawn, they may keep 85 percent of their sale price in order to offset donated deer processing fees.) Organizations may not win a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.

For more information, contact Jake George, KDWP Wildlife Division Director, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jake.george@ks.gov" target="_blank">jake.george@ks.gov</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732892487374.jpeg" alt="Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Department of Wildlife and ParksTOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas-based chapters of nonprofit organizations focused on wildlife conservation and promoting the hunting and fishing heritage have a special fundraising opportunity thanks to the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Through the Commission Big Game Permit program, eligible organizations can enter a random drawing for one of seven special big game hunting permits, which may then be sold to fund conservation projects. The drawing will take place at the Commission's meeting on January 30, 2025. Applicants do not need to be present to win.Applications are due by Jan. 17, 2025. To submit an application:<ol>
 <li>Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://links-2.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fksoutdoors.com%2FKDWP-Info%2FCommission%2F%3Futm_source=news%26utm_medium=press-release/1/010101936f1300f3-281ed9d4-e342-4d0f-9b90-0a2894f03d46-000000/oZq5uUF60NqG8rlMe50ShEjVSLEq_kkx2JV4mgVjBjQ=381" target="_blank">ksoutdoors.com/KDWP-Info/Commission</a></li><li>Click “Commissioner Permits” toward the bottom of the page</li><li>Download the file titled, “2025 Commissioner Permit Application fillable.”</li><li>Return the completed application by mail or email at the addresses listed on the application</li>
 </ol>Each year, the program offers up to seven Commission Big Game permits (no more than one elk and one antelope and up to seven deer permits), depending on applicants’ preferences. Deer permits are either-species/either-sex and are valid statewide during any season with the legal equipment for that season; and, they do not count against other big game permits the license holder may obtain.Winning organizations keep 15 percent of their sale price of the Commission Big Game Permit to support their missions. The remaining 85 percent is held by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks until a mutually agreed upon conservation project is approved. (If Kansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry is drawn, they may keep 85 percent of their sale price in order to offset donated deer processing fees.) Organizations may not win a Commission Big Game Permit more than once in a three-year period.For more information, contact Jake George, KDWP Wildlife Division Director, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jake.george@ks.gov" target="_blank">jake.george@ks.gov</a>.

Big Game Permits application period open

MANHATTAN — In 2025, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/gardens/">Kansas State University Gardens</a>, will celebrate a milestone: 150 years. According to KSU the university will commemorate the anniversary with a yearlong celebration honoring the legacy of horticultural excellence. There will be opportunities to celebrate the gardens throughout 2025 with a variety of events across campus and the Manhattan community.

"Celebrating 150 years is a testament to the K-State Gardens' inspiring effect on those who visit," said Scott McElwain, director of the gardens. "The anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect, to look forward to our promising future and to thank those who have helped nurture the gardens throughout the years. We can't wait to celebrate with the K-State family next year.

"The festivities will begin with the 150th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in the K-State Alumni Center. There will be a luncheon and journey through the past of the Gardens with&nbsp; Chuck Marr, emeritus professor of horticulture at K-State. Then dive deeper into the world of ornamental horticulture with a talk by renowned horticulturist Karl Gercens III from Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.

<a href="https://auctria.events/Celebrating150YearsOfBlooms">Tickets for the kickoff celebration are available for purchase now.</a>"

MANHATTAN — In 2025, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/gardens/">Kansas State University Gardens</a>, will celebrate a milestone: 150 years. According to KSU the university will commemorate the anniversary with a yearlong celebration honoring the legacy of horticultural excellence. There will be opportunities to celebrate the gardens throughout 2025 with a variety of events across campus and the Manhattan community."Celebrating 150 years is a testament to the K-State Gardens' inspiring effect on those who visit," said Scott McElwain, director of the gardens. "The anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect, to look forward to our promising future and to thank those who have helped nurture the gardens throughout the years. We can't wait to celebrate with the K-State family next year."The festivities will begin with the 150th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in the K-State Alumni Center. There will be a luncheon and journey through the past of the Gardens with&nbsp; Chuck Marr, emeritus professor of horticulture at K-State. Then dive deeper into the world of ornamental horticulture with a talk by renowned horticulturist Karl Gercens III from Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania.<a href="https://auctria.events/Celebrating150YearsOfBlooms">Tickets for the kickoff celebration are available for purchase now.</a>"

K-State Gardens will celebrate 150 years

Flush Road is now open for normal traffic. Continue to use caution as the roads are still slick in spots.

Due to the extreme ice and snow conditions on Flush Road the road is closed near Kirtner Lane until the Pottawatomie County Road Department can treat Flush Road. 

Deputies are on scene to keep the scene as safe as possible. The County Road Department is enroute to treat the roads in the area.

UPDATE:Flush Road is now open for normal traffic. Continue to use caution as the roads are still slick in spots.---Due to the extreme ice and snow conditions on Flush Road the road is closed near Kirtner Lane until the Pottawatomie County Road Department can treat Flush Road. Deputies are on scene to keep the scene as safe as possible. The County Road Department is enroute to treat the roads in the area.

Flush Road reopens

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.<figure>
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Riley County Arrest Report November 29

By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> The Beacon

From 2021 to 2022, the number of Kansas children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from grew by 37,000.&nbsp;

The rise in food insecurity shows up at food banks across the state.&nbsp;

Aundrea Walker, the executive director of Just Food, said 30% of the people it serves are under 18 years old. Walker has worked at the Lawrence-based food bank for 10 years. She’s never seen demand so high.&nbsp;

“The amount of individuals and households we’re serving is absolutely insane,” she said.&nbsp;

Walker said Just Food spends about $40,000 a month on food. That isn’t enough.&nbsp;

“We’re constantly running out,” she said.&nbsp;

Walker said the pantry had to create new, paid staff positions to collect more food. At other food banks, some families line up two hours before the pantry opens.&nbsp;

The jump in food insecurity is mostly attributed to two things: rising inflation and pandemic-era benefit programs running out. Combined, they leave less money for families and force tough choices between paying bills or eating.&nbsp;

The number of children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from jumped from 13.4% in 2021 to 19.1% in 2022, according to Kansas Action for Children’s 2024 Kids Count Databook.&nbsp;

“(I’m) alarmed by it,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children. “When we see every single Kansas county experience an increase in food insecurity among kids, that’s troubling.”&nbsp;

Certain pandemic-era programs ran out at the end of 2021 or start of 2022. Families getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, could receive the maximum benefit. That ended. Congress temporarily expanded a child care tax credit giving families hundreds more per year. That didn’t make it past 2021. Cost-free student meals were an option. But that was gone by the summer of 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To help kids in Kansas, “we have to help the people who care for them, too,” Wilson said.&nbsp;

Advocates for a stronger social safety want the Republican-controlled Statehouse to put more tax dollars toward things like food security.&nbsp;

Kansas Republicans not likely to address food insecurity

Republican leaders in the House and Senate didn’t say whether they’d debate bills to address the issue. Historically, the conservative state Legislature hasn’t seriously considered proposals in recent years that would expand SNAP or other social service programs.&nbsp;

Advocates for more public spending on social services say the Legislature has instead put up barriers.&nbsp;

The 2015 Hope Act bans state officials from using federal or state money to advertise SNAP programs on radio, billboards or television. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said only 70% of eligible people actually get SNAP benefits in Kansas. That’s below the national average of 82%.&nbsp;

Kansas is one of the last states in the country not using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-10-02/why-kansas-makes-it-harder-to-qualify-for-food-assistance-than-most-other-states">broad-based categorical eligibility</a>. It’s a federal program that allows more flexibility in admitting Kansans to food benefit programs. It doesn’t guarantee more people get SNAP, but it can mean owning a car or having more assets doesn’t disqualify someone.&nbsp;

Kansas also permanently bans people with multiple drug felonies from getting food stamps, and just last year, the House Welfare Reform Committee supported a bill that would prevent families from buying candy or soda with EBT cards.&nbsp;

Republicans argue those policies protect against the misuse of tax money.

Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, introduced a bill to prevent the Kansas Department for Children and Families from participating in the summer electronic benefits transfer for children program. That program gives Kansas families who are on free or reduced-price lunches a one-time, $120 payment for meals over the summer.&nbsp;

Awerkamp, chair of the Welfare Reform committee, didn’t respond to requests from The Beacon.&nbsp;

Walker, with Just Food, said the Legislature has done some things to help. It eliminated the sales tax on groceries, which helps when you spend $460,000 a year on food like her group does. She said efforts to cap inflation would also help, but food insecurity is a multifaceted problem that can’t be fixed with just one bill.&nbsp;

The pandemic-era benefits programs cost millions, which is one reason Republicans are apprehensive about expansion. Haley Kottler, an advocate for a strong social safety net at Kansas Appleseed, said cheaper alternatives could feed more Kansans.&nbsp;

The Legislature could end the food stamps ban for Kansans with multiple drug felonies. The state could also simplify the food assistance application program so it isn’t as complicated to apply. Kottler also wants to see universal meal programs expanded.&nbsp;

Harvesters helps food banks in 17 counties in northeast Kansas and 10 counties in northwest Missouri. Sarah Biles, a Harvesters spokesperson, said the demand for food assistance hasn’t been this strong since the 2008 recession. Demand at food pantries was dropping year after year until the pandemic hit, and the 2022 numbers ballooned back up to the 2008 level.&nbsp;

Biles said government intervention is important. For every meal provided by a food bank or charitable organization, SNAP can provide nine meals.&nbsp;

“We definitely all need to work together to solve this issue,” she said. “There’s plenty of food in the United States. It’s a matter of getting all that food to where it’s needed most.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1729708341876.jpg" alt="Image courtesy Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://thebeaconnews.org/stories/author/blaise-mesa/">BLAISE MESA</a> The BeaconFrom 2021 to 2022, the number of Kansas children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from grew by 37,000.&nbsp;The rise in food insecurity shows up at food banks across the state.&nbsp;Aundrea Walker, the executive director of Just Food, said 30% of the people it serves are under 18 years old. Walker has worked at the Lawrence-based food bank for 10 years. She’s never seen demand so high.&nbsp;“The amount of individuals and households we’re serving is absolutely insane,” she said.&nbsp;Walker said Just Food spends about $40,000 a month on food. That isn’t enough.&nbsp;“We’re constantly running out,” she said.&nbsp;Walker said the pantry had to create new, paid staff positions to collect more food. At other food banks, some families line up two hours before the pantry opens.&nbsp;The jump in food insecurity is mostly attributed to two things: rising inflation and pandemic-era benefit programs running out. Combined, they leave less money for families and force tough choices between paying bills or eating.&nbsp;The number of children who didn’t know where their next meal would come from jumped from 13.4% in 2021 to 19.1% in 2022, according to Kansas Action for Children’s 2024 Kids Count Databook.&nbsp;“(I’m) alarmed by it,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children. “When we see every single Kansas county experience an increase in food insecurity among kids, that’s troubling.”&nbsp;Certain pandemic-era programs ran out at the end of 2021 or start of 2022. Families getting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, could receive the maximum benefit. That ended. Congress temporarily expanded a child care tax credit giving families hundreds more per year. That didn’t make it past 2021. Cost-free student meals were an option. But that was gone by the summer of 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;To help kids in Kansas, “we have to help the people who care for them, too,” Wilson said.&nbsp;Advocates for a stronger social safety want the Republican-controlled Statehouse to put more tax dollars toward things like food security.&nbsp;<h2>Kansas Republicans not likely to address food insecurity</h2>Republican leaders in the House and Senate didn’t say whether they’d debate bills to address the issue. Historically, the conservative state Legislature hasn’t seriously considered proposals in recent years that would expand SNAP or other social service programs.&nbsp;Advocates for more public spending on social services say the Legislature has instead put up barriers.&nbsp;The 2015 Hope Act bans state officials from using federal or state money to advertise SNAP programs on radio, billboards or television. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said only 70% of eligible people actually get SNAP benefits in Kansas. That’s below the national average of 82%.&nbsp;Kansas is one of the last states in the country not using&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-10-02/why-kansas-makes-it-harder-to-qualify-for-food-assistance-than-most-other-states">broad-based categorical eligibility</a>. It’s a federal program that allows more flexibility in admitting Kansans to food benefit programs. It doesn’t guarantee more people get SNAP, but it can mean owning a car or having more assets doesn’t disqualify someone.&nbsp;Kansas also permanently bans people with multiple drug felonies from getting food stamps, and just last year, the House Welfare Reform Committee supported a bill that would prevent families from buying candy or soda with EBT cards.&nbsp;Republicans argue those policies protect against the misuse of tax money.Rep. Francis Awerkamp, a St. Marys Republican, introduced a bill to prevent the Kansas Department for Children and Families from participating in the summer electronic benefits transfer for children program. That program gives Kansas families who are on free or reduced-price lunches a one-time, $120 payment for meals over the summer.&nbsp;Awerkamp, chair of the Welfare Reform committee, didn’t respond to requests from The Beacon.&nbsp;Walker, with Just Food, said the Legislature has done some things to help. It eliminated the sales tax on groceries, which helps when you spend $460,000 a year on food like her group does. She said efforts to cap inflation would also help, but food insecurity is a multifaceted problem that can’t be fixed with just one bill.&nbsp;<h2>Looking to the 2025 session&nbsp;</h2>The pandemic-era benefits programs cost millions, which is one reason Republicans are apprehensive about expansion. Haley Kottler, an advocate for a strong social safety net at Kansas Appleseed, said cheaper alternatives could feed more Kansans.&nbsp;The Legislature could end the food stamps ban for Kansans with multiple drug felonies. The state could also simplify the food assistance application program so it isn’t as complicated to apply. Kottler also wants to see universal meal programs expanded.&nbsp;Harvesters helps food banks in 17 counties in northeast Kansas and 10 counties in northwest Missouri. Sarah Biles, a Harvesters spokesperson, said the demand for food assistance hasn’t been this strong since the 2008 recession. Demand at food pantries was dropping year after year until the pandemic hit, and the 2022 numbers ballooned back up to the 2008 level.&nbsp;Biles said government intervention is important. For every meal provided by a food bank or charitable organization, SNAP can provide nine meals.&nbsp;“We definitely all need to work together to solve this issue,” she said. “There’s plenty of food in the United States. It’s a matter of getting all that food to where it’s needed most.”&nbsp;

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