Author: Brandon Peoples

Long time K-State Alumni Association President and CEO Amy Button Renz will retire at the end of the school year, capping 45 years of service to Kansas State University, according to a Wednesday release. Renz began her career with the Alumni Association in 1977, becoming president and CEO in 1994 and was the first female alumni director in the Big Eight and later the Big 12 conference. She was instrumental in the creation of many programming efforts, including the Student Alumni Board and the K-State Student Ambassadors. She served as the lead fundraiser for the Alumni Center building campaign. The…

The City of Manhattan plans to interview candidates in the coming weeks for its vacant Director of Parks and Recreation position. Director of Human Resources Tammy Galvan informed members of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Monday that the city has engaged with Texas-based recruiting firm SGR (Strategic Government Resource) to help source and screen candidates and help create an interview process. The job posting should be publicized before the end of the week. “We anticipate leaving that open for applicants through February 14, at which time it will close for applicants. They will be screened and vetted through SGR…

Three nominees have been submitted to interview for a district magistrate vacancy in Riley County. The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission announced Tuesday that it will convene at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Riley County Courthouse. The nominees, all from Manhattan, include recently retired RCPD Captain Josh Kyle, as well as hospital administrator at Fort Riley Jeremy Larchick and contract attorney Christine Smith, of Young Williams Child Support Services. The interview schedule hasn’t been announced, but those interviews are open to the public. Kyle retired from RCPD in December, following three decades of service to the department. He was…

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday morning. Her office released a statement saying she is fully vaccinated and experiencing minor symptoms, noting Tuesday was the first day she experienced symptoms and is following guidance of public health officials to self-isolate as she continues to work. Staff noted that her office has informed inaugural ball attendees, participants in the inauguration ceremony and attendees of the Executive Order signing Tuesday morning and is encouraging those who were near her to test immediately as a precautionary measure. Normal government functions won’t be impacted, though her scheduled Wednesday State of the…

A woman was arrested Monday for allegedly causing a crash near the intersection of Kimball Ave and Seth Child Road. According to the Riley County Police Department, officers determined a passenger car driven by 26-year-old Kezia Shibler, of Riley, had been driving south on Seth Child Road around 8 a.m. Monday when another car pulled onto Seth Child from Gary Ave. in front of her, narrowly avoiding a crash. Shibler then reportedly sped up, passed the other vehicle and switched lanes to get in front of the other car, hitting her brakes and causing a rear-end collision. No major injuries…

A welfare check on a Manhattan man turned into a short pursuit, according to the Riley County Police Department. Officers filed a report for fleeing and eluding law enforcement around 1:30 p.m. Monday after a call was placed to dispatch reporting a man slumped over in a car in the 1700 block of Rockhill Road for an extended period of time. When officers went to check on the man, later identified as 22-year-old Oxavier Ruffin, he was found to be in good health but had an outstanding warrant for probation violation. Police say Ruffin then drove away, fleeing from officers…

Owners of an oil pipeline that ruptured last month in Washington County, have entered into an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the oil discharge. The directive was finalized January 6 between TC Oil Pipeline Operations, which operates the Keystone Pipeline, and the EPA. The agency is requiring the company to recover oil and oil-contaminated soil and vegetation and contain the further spread of oil in Mill Creek. All work required under the order will be completed under EPA oversight. In a statement, the company says it appreciated the agency’s willingness to work cooperatively. The Keystone…

Two people were killed Monday evening in a wrong way crash on Interstate 70 in Geary County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a Chevy Cruze, driven by 32-year-old Kelly Clements, of Fort Riley, was eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-70, just outside of Marshall Army Airfield at around 7 p.m. Her car collided head on with a Hyundai Elantra, carrying 76-year-old Gary and 72-year-old Donna May, both of Milford. Clements was pronounced dead at the scene. She was not wearing a seat belt, according to the crash report. Donna May was transported to Stormont Flint Hills Hospital in…

Expansion of the Pottawatomie County Commission won’t occur until 2024. County Counselor John Watt informed commissioners Monday that when voters approved expanding the county board from three to five seats this past November, the decision triggered a number of statutes, including whether expansion would occur as part of a special election or at the next general election – left to the discretion of Gov. Laura Kelly. Kelly’s decision was to have it put it on the ballot for the next general election, which Watt says will be in 2024 rather than this year, according to Kelly’s chief counsel. “That also…

Junction City Police are investigating the death of an 18-year-old Ogden man as a homicide. Officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of Fort Avenue just after 1 p.m. and located the body of Carson Simon, a white male. It is unclear how Simon died. Police are seeking information in reference to the investigation or to Simon’s whereabouts between 9 p.m. Thursday and 10:30 a.m. Friday.  Anyone with information should contact Geary County Crime Stoppers at 785-762-8477 or the Junction City Police Department at 785-762-5912. Police say this is an active and ongoing investigation.