Washington, DC — Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero today announced the appointment of Dawn Hammatt as the new Director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, effective May 28, 2017.

In making the announcement, the Archivist said, “In light of the renewed scholarly interest in President Eisenhower and on the cusp of a major new redesign of its museum, Dawn Hammatt’s experience leading museums, managing historic collections, and overseeing educational programming make her uniquely qualified to lead the Eisenhower Library forward as it plans a major renovation to its permanent galleries and facility.”

Ms. Hammatt has served in museums across the southeast for her entire career. In South Carolina, she served as managing director for a local history museum and on the governing board for the South Carolina Archival Association. In New Orleans, she was the Director of Curatorial Services for the Louisiana State Museum, a statewide museum system that maintains nine museums. In this role, she oversaw the exhibits, collections management, curatorial and education departments for the state. The collection of nearly 500,000 objects range from colonial judicial documents and military artillery to Mardi Gras costumes.

Most recently, she comes to the National Archives from the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience in Meridian, Mississippi, where she has been managing the design and fabrication of a new 22,000-square-foot exhibition. She has also been active in the Southeastern Museums Conference and currently serves as the vice president.

Ms. Hammatt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University, a Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma, and is currently enrolled in a Professional Certificate program in nonprofit administration at the University of Montana.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, located in Abilene Kansas is one of 14 libraries in the Presidential Library system administered by the National Archives and Records Administration and overseen by the Office of Presidential Libraries. The Presidential Libraries house the records of Presidents Herbert Hoover through Barack Obama and preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire.

MANHATTAN — The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship has selected 11 high-potential startup ventures for participation in the university’s fourth annual Launch a Business, or LAB, program, powered by KS State Bank.

The selected businesses will take part in a monthlong summer program, receiving much-needed resources, including faculty-led workshops, hands-on student research teams and access to the university’s world-class alumni mentor network. The program is specifically intended for early-stage companies and will provide the building blocks for turning a concept into a successful venture.

The Launch a Business program will take place from May 25 to June 29. Program organizers invite all alumni and supporters of the university and the regional startup ecosystem to a closing celebration on June 29 in the Business Building atrium. The event will feature presentations from all program participants and the public will be asked to vote for their favorite startup.

“K-State LAB is designed to support promising entrepreneurs with the university’s unique resources to help advance their business concept and ultimately create jobs in Kansas,” said Chad Jackson, director of the college’s Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “We have been thrilled with the overwhelming support and interest we have received for this program over the years, and look forward to working with these entrepreneurs to make this year even better.”

Criteria for selection included identifying a real problem and an innovative solution, demonstrating the drive to succeed and ability to incorporate feedback, and showing commitment to the idea and the Launch a Business program.

The following 11 startup ventures were selected for the 2017 program:

• Rev-E3, Beloit, looks to solve e-waste issues in rural communities across the state of Kansas.

• Double L Manufacturing, Clay Center, a manufacturer of skid steer and tractor attachments for use on the farm or job site.

• Flint Hills Lavender Farm, Council Grove, strives to produce and sell high-quality lavender products to communities in the Flint Hills region while using practices that promote intensive farming methods, preserve farmland and utilize minimal resources.

• Heartland Heritage, Derby, a Midwest clothing brand dedicated to authentically telling the Midwest story by outfitting you with durable, quality apparel whether you are in the field or on the fairway.

• Bridges, Manhattan, connects patients to the resources necessary to access adult stem cell therapy by collaborating with health providers and working with patients to ensure all their pre- and post-treatment needs are met.

• Pinnacle Performance, Manhattan, a cutting-edge coaching firm serving elite athletes and general fitness clients through a unique combination of scientific expertise and practical experience — transforming traditional training and injury prevention into a new experience.

• Pip’s Bake Shoppe, Manhattan, specializes in wedding cakes and other baked goods that are customized to the buyers’ wants to help ensure the success of the occasion.

• Precision Microwave, Manhattan, a medical device company focused on the development of advanced thermal therapy applicators for minimally invasive cancer treatment.

• Embruon, Salina, aims to help cattle producers manage the challenging genomic world with technology, allowing producers to make informed genomic decisions before pregnancy has begun to maximize genetic improvement and minimize the cost of resources used.

• MperVus, Shawnee, a patent-pending technology that securely stores data by randomly parsing, diffusing and storing it. This allows MperVus to securely protect data storage and use regardless of platform in an on-premise, hybrid, cloud or matrix solution.

• Print3 Technologies, Shawnee, manufactures digital printing/decorating equipment to directly apply decorations on containers such as bottles, cups and jars. This reduces costs for short- and medium-run production while also enabling new-patented decoration methods to stand out on the shelf.

Manhattan, KS – The Flint Hills Discovery Center will be holding its fourth annual Flint Hills Festival on Saturday, May 20 from 10am-5pm. This family-friendly event offers live music from local artists, food trucks of all varieties, regional beer and wine, demonstrations from local artisans and lots of children’s activities.

“Families with children can have fun with the bounce house obstacle course, rock climbing wall and the incredibly popular bubbles show,” said FHDC Event Supervisor Jonathan Mertz. “Guests can watch a chainsaw artist at work, add their art to a community canvas and see how yarn is spun. Every booth will have a demonstration or craft activity, so there really is something for everyone.”

Guests are invited to feel the Flint Hills as each booth and vendor at the festival offers a hands-on component. Activities include archery, rocket demonstrations, woodturning and much more. Those 21 and over can enjoy sampling local brews and booze, included in the price of each ticket while listening to local artists like The Skirts and Hotel Gypsies perform live.

“With more than double the activities and vendors in previous years, we think this will be the best Flint Hills Festival yet,” said Molly Kurtz, FHDC Marketing Coordinator. “It’s a wonderful way for the whole community to gather, have a great time and learn about the unique talents and entertainment in the region.”

Guests can avoid waiting in line the day of by purchasing their tickets early at FestFive.eventbrite.com

UPDATE:

Just after 1:00pm JC Post was informed by City Superintendent Jerome Thomas that all power in Grandview Plaza had been restored.

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Grandview Plaza has experienced an electrical brownout this ( Wednesday ) morning.

City Superintendent Jerome Thomas said the first call came in about 10:25 a.m. “Looks like a voltage regulator inside the substation, looks like it had a minor explosion. ” About half of the town is without electricity.

Flint Hills Electric Cooperative is responding to assess the problem and determine the necessary cause of repairs.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Riley County authorities say the number of rapes reported in Manhattan and surrounding areas has doubled during the first quarter of this year compared with the same time last year.

Sixteen rapes were reported in the first quarter of 2017, up from eight in the same period in 2016.

Riley County Police Department director Brad Schoen says investigators have not seen anything to indicate one individual or a group of people is responsible for the increase.

Authorities say some of the rapes reported this year came from one investigation, after detectives identified other victims while investigating the original report.

A total of 40 rapes were reported in 2016.

The Milford Lions Club will host a pancake / sausage feed from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Milford City Building. There will be a suggested donation of $5.

A new Milford City information sign dedication is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on the grounds of the current sign.

The sign is a community legacy project of the Milford Lions Club in honor of the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.