MANHATTAN — The Center for Information and Systems Assurance at Kansas State University has once again been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

“Kansas State University received its initial designation in 2010,” said Eugene Vasserman, director of the center and associate professor in computer science and Michele Munson-Serban Simu Keystone research scholar. “It was redesignated in 2014 and now again in 2019 through 2024.”

The mission of Center for Information and Systems Assurance is to conduct fundamental and applied research in information and computer security and high-assurance systems, as well as advance the knowledge of students in many disciplines within and beyond engineering.

“Systems and information assurance is a cross-cutting area of computer science as well as many other disciplines,” Vasserman said. “It is the theory and practice behind the design and operation of safe, secure and reliable systems across a broad spectrum of applications including hardware, networking and information storage.

“The center also engages the professional community in collaborative efforts that support the understanding, operation and development of secure software systems that pervade our society.”

Vasserman headed up the redesignation effort and emphasized the benefit it brings to the university.

“We are doing cutting-edge research that is important and valuable,” he said. “This designation certifies that K-State continues to operate a highly regarded center for cybersecurity research — we are a place that knows security.

“Potential students pay attention to this designation — we often get questions asking us to confirm that, yes, you can come to K-State where you will be able to contribute to these research efforts.”

High

61°

Windy. Rain and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then partly sunny with slight chance of rain and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Highs in the lower 60s. South winds 20 to 35 mph. gusts up to 50 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — A 38-year-old man accused of trying to kill a Manhattan police officer is now scheduled for trial in August.

Mark Harrison faces one count of attempted capital murder of a police officer. Prosecutors say he fired 33 shots during a three-hour standoff with police in January 2018.

One shot hit Riley County Police Sgt. Pat Tiede in the leg. The defense has argued that shot hit Tiede after it ricocheted off a sidewalk.

In February, Harrison was found not guilty on two counts of attempted capital murder, stemming from shots that hit an armored SWAT vehicle with two officers inside. The jury couldn’t reach a verdict on the count involving Tiede.

Harrison’s new trial is scheduled for Aug. 6.

Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte has announced that the monthly Milford Lake Bird Walk is Saturday at 8 a.m. Participants should meet at the parking lot on the south end of the Milford Lake Dam, just across from the Corps of Engineers Office.

This month’s walk will focus on lingering winter residents and early spring migrants. The walks usually last about two to three hours. If you have binoculars or a bird book you can bring them.

For more information contact Chuck Otte at 238-4161 or 238-8800.

In the past 25 years, corn acres planted in Geary County have increased 500 percent. Corn and soybean acres have now far exceeded wheat and sorghum.

Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte said the Extension Office has a corn production meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th at the 4-H / Senior Citizens Center at the Geary County Fairgrounds. Registration will start at 4 p.m. with the program beginning at 4:30 p.m.

There will be a break at 6 p.m. for BBQ and then the meeting will resume until approximately 8 p.m. To ensure there is enough food available pre-register by March 18th by calling the Extension Office at 785-238-4161 or by emailing Chuck Otte at cotte@ksu.edu.

Topics to be covered include but are not limited to general production, weed control, insect control and disease control. This will be an opportunity for informal discussion of some of the challenges of corn production in the area.

Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in January. This was up from 3.3 percent in December and down from 3.5 percent in January 2018.

Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in January. This was up from 3.3 percent in December and down from 3.5 percent in January 2018.

While still extremely low, the jobless rate in Geary County jumped from 4.6 percent in December to 5.6 percent in January.

Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee and Clay counties all saw a slight increase in unemployment rates.

“The revised 2018 annual data for the state is included in today’s Labor Market Report,” said Secretary Delía Garcia. “In that data, of note is that the number of Kansans participating in the labor force has increased for the first time since 2014, and with increased employment and fewer Kansans unemployed, the 2018 unemployment rate fell to 3.4 percent.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 500 from December. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 1,100 from the previous month.

“Establishment survey data shows Kansas employers have been raising wages at an increasing rate,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “The labor market is historically tight right now and many employers are struggling to fill open positions. This, in turn, has put upward pressure on wages.”

Since January 2018, Kansas gained 14,300 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 13,700 private sector jobs.

Repair work has been completed on a leak in the main water line along Old Milford Road in Rural Water District Four northwest of Junction City.

Officials have confirmed that water service has been restored to those residents along Old Milford Road, McGeorge Road and Rockwood Drive.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a reported aggravated battery in Manhattan.

Just after 11 p.m. Saturday, police reported 24-year-old Drew McDowell of Manhattan was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of injuries, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A known male suspect injured him during an incident in the 400 Block of Laramie in Manhattan, according to police.

Police have not reported an update on McDowell’s condition and, on Monday, had no details on an arrest as the investigation continues, according RCPD spokesperson Rachel Pate.