Author: Brandon Peoples

Four people were hospitalized Sunday evening following a two-vehicle crash in Geary County. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred just after 8 p.m. on K-57 near mile marker 5, when a Chevy Silverado reportedly failed to yield right of way and struck a Toyota Rav 4, driven by Haily Zuniga, of Loveland, Colorado. She and three passengers were transported to Stormont Vail Hospital for medical treatment of injuries. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Additional details weren’t immediately available Monday morning.

Fatal crashes were reported across the region this past weekend in Morris and Dickinson counties. In Morris County, three people from Minnesota were killed in a head-on collision on a rural road west of the Council Grove Wildlife area Saturday afternoon. That crash killed the 33-year-old driver, Troy Sabean and two passengers, including 69-year-old Ann Porter and 33-year-old Emma Porter, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The crash also seriously injured two others in that vehicle as well as a White City couple in the other vehicle. In Dickinson County, a motorcyclist from Georgia was killed Friday evening when his…

The longtime director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center was recognized at a Thursday retirement reception. Susan Adams took on that title in 2016, but her history with the Discovery Center dates back to October 2011, first working in a temporary construction trailer prior to the opening of the facility in April 2012. Adams says she was overwhelmed by the reception she received. “It’s just a reassuring feeling that it’s not done because I’m walking away, they will still continue to support the Discovery Center. That’s important to me,” she said. Adams says there are a number of highlights from…

Riley County Police have made an arrest in connection to an inmate’s alleged overdose at the jail earlier this year. In a Friday release, RCPD noted 30-year-old Joseph Keehn, of Junction City had been arrested Thursday at the jail on a warrant charging him with trafficking of contraband and distribution of a controlled substance, causing great bodily harm. Keehn has been in custody since his March 11 arrest for possession of opiates, criminal possession of a weapon and other drug-related offenses. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of March 13 after dispatchers received a call from the jail…

Authorities are investigating a report of a missing firearm. According to the Riley County Police Department, an 87-year-old woman reported Thursday that a Holland & Holland Rifle was taken from the vault where it was being stored. The alleged theft was reported in the 800 block of Poyntz Ave. The total estimated loss is $32,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

After receiving five submittals for consulting on an upcoming Comprehensive Plan, Riley County commissioners have narrowed that list to two potential firms and are targeting early next month to have a selection in place. The county opted to move forward with Olsson and Stantec, based on the selection committee’s evaluation scores and discussion. Commission Chair John Ford says both made good presentations in their request for qualification (RFQ submittals) to the county initially. “I think to get to where we want to end up with all of this and what’s important, I think they (Olsson and Stantec) had the best…

A local nonprofit organization has outgrown its facilities and announced Tuesday a move is coming later this year. Flint Hills Breadbasket Executive Director Karla Hagemeister didn’t say where the new location will be when speaking at Tuesday’s city commission meeting, but noted how many more families have been receiving help in the past two years. Founded in 1982, the Breadbasket partnered with the City of Manhattan to construct its original building in 1987 and added a warehouse in 2001. Hagemeister says the Breadbasket hosts between 90 and 100 new families each month, a trend she doesn’t see turning around anytime soon.…

Ten Kansas Gold Star military families are being hosted in Washington, D.C. to honor Memorial Day weekend. The project is being done in conjunction with Sen. Roger Marshall’s office and the Gold Star Family Support Fund of Kansas (a fund of the Armed Forces Community Foundation). Christine Benne, Military Relations Coordinator for the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, helped raise funds locally to send families on this whirlwind trip, which will resemble that of an Honor Flight. Gold Star families are families who have lost a loved one, who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending the country. Activities will include a…

Manhattan State Rep. Mike Dodson says he will not seek another term in the statehouse, after giving it considerable thought. In a statement to News Radio KMAN, Dodson said he has been proud to represent the 67th district with a goal of communicating “widely and honestly across all constituencies and to support legislation that would improve the quality of live for all Kansans and the generations that will come after us.” Dodson goes on to say he has also believed citizens are best served through the introduction of new ideas into the legislature and the vigorous and open debate to…

The Manhattan City Commission revisited discussions Tuesday over strategies to bring up the city’s general fund cash balance, while also considering how to best approach parks and rec funding long term and a potential new indoor aquatics facility. “If our community desires these amenities, we need to talk about a financial strategy that gets us there,” said interim City Manager Jason Hilgers. That’s interim Manhattan City Manager Jason Hilgers, who estimates that a 1% sales tax would generate about $15 million annually, enough to operate the parks and recreation department independently as a special revenue fund, but also enough to…