Author: Brandon Peoples

A Manhattan man was arrested for trespassing on the grounds of three schools Thursday, according to Riley County Police. In a statement, RCPD says officers were called out for a suspicious man inside Anthony Middle School around 7:30 a.m. as students were arriving for classes. According to RCPD, 22-year-old Samuel Osenga was stopped by staff, directed to the office and asked to leave the school but refused. During this time, students were held in their classrooms until the situation was resolved. He left before officers arrived. A short time later, police say Osenga was found in the parking lot of…

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 has named Nathan Downs as it’s next Assistant Superintendent. Downs, a former school psychologist in the district, is the current executive director of special education at Geary County USD 475, a job he’s held since 2018. He began his career as a school psychologist in Wamego. “Over the last two decades I have devoted my life to serving the needs of our students, staff and families within the Flint Hills in public education,” Downs said in a USD 383 news release. “I am humbled and excited to be blessed with the opportunity to continue doing so as…

A winter storm warning goes into effect for our area at 9 p.m. tonight through noon tomorrow. The National Weather Service says a major winter storm will move through the region, dumping between 4 to 8 inches of snow throughout the region along with strong winds, gusting up to 35 mph, leading to the potential for near blizzard conditions and drifting snow. The Manhattan area could pick up anywhere between 3 to 5 inches. Travel is expected to be treacherous late tonight and into the morning hours on Thursday. Be sure to check the Closings and Delays page for the…

One week after Kent Glasscock announced his retirement from K-State Innovation Partners, the organization has named a new president and CEO to succeed him. An internal search led to Rebecca Robinson being promoted to that role. Robinson has been with Innovation Partners for 14 years. Prior to her accepting the president job, Robinson served on the organization’s leadership team as chief corporate engagement and economic development officer, facilitating strategic industry partnerships and directing economic development initiatives to the Manhattan area. According to the university, Robinson participated in or led the recruitment of 27 technology-based companies to the Manhattan region, creating…

No injuries were reported after a house fire at 913 Pierre Street Tuesday evening. The Manhattan Fire Department responded just after 6 p.m. to a two-story single-family home with dense smoke showing from the second floor, which extended into the home’s attic space. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes and rescued a dog and cat from the home. According to the fire department’s daily response form, released Wednesday morning, the fire caused an estimated $90,000 in property and content loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The owner is listed as Georg Zsuzsics.

Pottawatomie County has given the go-ahead for a local construction company to pursue a Housing Investor Tax Credit from the State of Kansas. The funding would help offset construction and interest costs, giving developers a discount on tax liability and allowing them to achieve more attainable price points for buyers. Ross Vogel with Heartland Housing Partners spoke on behalf of JLC Construction, which is pursuing the tax credit on nine single family units and one duplex in the Whispering Meadows and Willow Glen additions. Commissioners were hesitant at first to sign the resolution, citing unfamiliarity with the tax credit program.…

A Colorado man remains jailed after being arrested Friday on five counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The Riley County Police Department says 44-year-old Neil Martin was extradited on past charges. Court records allege that in 2019 crimes occurred against a then 13-year-old child on two separate occasions, referred to as attempted sexual exploitation of a child. Three counts of sexual exploitation are also alleged from February 2020 where, according to court records, Martin possessed child pornography. He is jailed on a $100,000 bond.

Two former Wamego teachers accused of unlawful sexual relations with a former student have been bound over to stand trial. Allen and Deborah Sylvester waived their right to a preliminary hearing Friday morning in Pottawatomie County District Court. The pair will be arraigned on March 7 at 1:30 p.m. According to County Attorney Sherri Schuck, Deborah Sylvester remains free on bond pending the next hearing. The State filed a motion to revoke Allen Sylvester’s bond for allegations he violated his bond condition of no contact with the listed victim. The court set his bond at $100,000 and as of Friday,…

Pottawatomie County deputies arrested two men this week on suspicion of operating a meth lab in a mobile home that caught fire in Louisville. According to Sheriff Shane Jager, the father and son, 80-year-old Odis Parker and 47-year-old Odis Parker, Jr. were charged Tuesday with manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance and a host of other drug-related offenses. The younger Parker is also charged with arson and aggravated battery. A 911 call alerted authorities to smoke coming from the home in the 400 block of East Plum Street Tuesday afternoon. Once deputies…

Kimball Avenue will be no stranger to construction once again this summer. The Manhattan City Commission authorized city administrators this week to advance purchase up to $200,000 in waterline materials for an upcoming roundabout replacement at Kimball Avenue and Grand Mere Parkway. Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr spoke about the upcoming project on KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday. Delivery times have quadrupled for some of the materials needed, due to supply chain disruptions. Fehr says the current schedule is to close Kimball Avenue from Vanesta Drive to Berkshire Circle for about 8 to 12 weeks, likely beginning in May. Fehr says…