Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez – B104.7 Manhattan's Hometown Country Station

St. Marys chamber leader says government should push for data centers

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:56:03 +0000

A Kaw Valley Chamber of Commerce official on Thursday called data centers in Pottawatomie County “inevitable” and encouraged government officials to push harder.

At a joint city/county meeting on Thursday in Wamego, Manhattan and Pott County officials received an informational update from representatives of Evergy, the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, and the Kaw Valley Chamber of Commerce (St. Marys). Regional officials are considering a proposal for a data center to be built in Pott County. A company called Beltline Energy out of Atlanta is working on the deal for another company, which has not been named publicly. A Beltline rep said at a meeting earlier this month that a new data center would represent a $15 billion investment for the region.

Although Thursday’s event was described as a meeting intended to inform decision-makers and not to advocate for a specific outcome, statements by the representatives of both the Kaw Valley Chamber of Commerce (of St. Marys) and Topeka’s Evergy seem to suggest otherwise.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Local meteorologist calls storm chasers ‘a challenge’

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Fri, 22 May 2026 17:15:47 +0000

The weather in the plains is attracting storm chasers into the area and K-State meteorologist Chip Redmond says they are becoming a challenge when we get these severe weather events.

“It’s been a problem in Oklahoma for quite some time,” he said. “The biggest thing is, we can’t do anything about it, and a lot of them aren’t doing anything illegal.”

It is in the plains where you can see storms for long distances, and right now is peak severe weather season. Everyone comes out to the plains because they want to see and experience the severe weather. “They’re in the hundreds, and potentially close to the 1000s, and when we have only one or two storms, like you saw the other day, all those storm chasers converged,” Redmond said.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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City approves rezoning for beef processing at former Champion building

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Fri, 22 May 2026 14:40:30 +0000

City officials this week approved rezoning for the property including the former Champion Teamwear building, which owner Dave Dreiling intends to turn into a steakhouse and beef processing facility for his company Booth Creek Wagyu.

Booth Creek is currently at 530 McCall Road. The plan calls for moving it to the renovated building at 520 McCall Road, which had been Dreiling’s company, GTM Sportswear, before he sold it to Hanesbrands Inc. about 10 years ago.

The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved rezoning the 7.3-acre tract, at the southeast intersection of McCall Road and Carlson Street, from industrial/commercial services district to commercial planned unit development district, which would allow for meat processing but no other industrial uses so as to limit impact on the surrounding businesses, according to a city memo.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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City commission approves contract for consolidated trash services in Aggieville

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Wed, 20 May 2026 18:10:35 +0000

The Manhattan City Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to execute a design-build contract to consolidate trash services in Aggieville.

The contract involves Olsson Inc. and BHS Construction Inc., and approves a pre-construction services agreement with Howie’s Trash and Recycling for the Aggieville Business District.

In August 2025, the city issued a request for proposals from solid waste management companies to assist with the consolidated trash approach in Aggieville. Howie’s submitted the only proposal. On Jan. 13, the city commission received an overview of Aggieville and provided direction for city administration to engage with the businesses in the district via survey to gauge the support for consolidated trash and alley improvements.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post City commission approves contract for consolidated trash services in Aggieville appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

MHS graduation a time of ‘reflection and appreciation,’ says student speaker

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Tue, 19 May 2026 16:45:28 +0000

Four hundred eighty Manhattan High School seniors received their diplomas Sunday at the school’s commencement ceremony.

This year marked the high school’s 112th graduation ceremony. The seniors, families, friends, faculty and staff heard speeches from principal Michael Dorst, and seniors Kelbey Larchick and Jibran Mahanan Kamus.

“Today symbolizes not just a milestone at the end of our journey through high school, but also a moment of reflection and appreciation for the people and experiences that have shaped us into the young adults we are today,” Larchick said.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Fort Riley woman takes book store on the road at Flint Hills Fest

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:21:08 +0000

A Fort Riley woman is writing a new chapter for herself by starting a mobile bookstore.

Kaitlynn Steen of Fort Riley, the owner of Backyard Bookshelf, said her business model is “not just books; it’s things that make me laugh and bring me joy.”

Steen was among the vendors at the annual Flint Hills Fest on Saturday at Blue Earth Plaza.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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