Author: Brandon Peoples

The Blue Valley USD 384 School Board has approved a contract for its next superintendent. Rex Boley was hired at a special board meeting Monday. He’s currently superintendent at USD 107 Mankato/Rock Hills, a job he’s held for the past three years. Boley brings over 30 years of teaching and administrative experience in agriculture education, special education and adult education. His resume includes work in the Salina School District for 12 years, including four as principal of the district’s alternative education program. Boley’s 2-year contract begins July 1 at an annual salary of $110,000. He will succeed John Cox who…

The Manhattan-Ogden School Board will hold a special meeting Wednesday ahead of its annual winter retreat. The board will meet at 5 p.m. in the Robinson Education Center to discuss safety and security, on the heels of two notable incidents last week involving a threatening graffiti message at Manhattan High School Friday and a man who trespassed into Anthony Middle School as students arrived Thursday morning for classes. The Riley County Police Department investigated both cases and determined no substantiated threats to students or staff. The incidents served as a wake up for administrators to re-evaluate its safety and security…

The Riley County Extension Office says its annual volunteer income tax assistance program is off to a good start since it began helping tax filers earlier this month. Extension Director Gary Fike, presented to the Riley County Commission last Thursday. He says the IRS has notified his office that the VITA program is 30% ahead of last year’s pace for filings and anticipates helping more than 700 residents file their taxes this year. Fike says the average refund has been about $1,600. The free income tax assistance is available to residents with a household income of $72,000 or less. To…

Riley County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved increased utility rates for 2023 for the Deep Creek Sewer, Hunter’s Island Water, Konza Valley Water and University Park Water and Sewer districts. The move comes on the heels of the City of Manhattan increasing its rates for water by 4% and sewer by 3%. They also estimate a 3% increase in both utilities over the next few years, on top of an average 20% rate hike last year. Commissioner John Ford says he recognizes the problem isn’t unique to Riley County and “begrudgingly” seconded a motion to approve the new rates, effective…

A Manhattan woman is jailed on assault and battery charges, stemming from an incident early Sunday morning in the 700 block of Allison Avenue. According to the Riley County Police Department, 29-year-old Cecilia Gonzalez was arrested after it was reported she pulled a shotgun on two men during an argument. She’s also accused of striking one of the two men with the shotgun. Gonzalez is jailed on a $20,000 bond.

Area legislators met for the session’s first legislative coffee Saturday at Sunset Zoo. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors these informative sessions as a way for constituents to connect on state issues. Chamber Director of External Affairs Mike Matson moderated the event and shared questions from audience members with the four legislators from Manhattan. The full recording is shared at the bottom of this story. On the issue of Medicaid Expansion, the Manhattan delegation generally agreed the issue is one that won’t likely gain traction this session. Sen. Usha Reddi (D-Manhattan) says expansion would essentially be a benefit to…

Manhattan High School’s west campus was placed on a lockdown Friday afternoon, after police investigated a graffiti message perceived as a threat, on a bathroom wall, circulating on Snapchat. The Riley County Police Department determined the message was not credible after some thought it was related to a planned pep rally that evening. Officers decided to evacuate the building room by room to ensure the safety of all students and staff. The building was cleared, with officers leaving the area shortly after 4:30 p.m. RCPD says it is still investigating the origins of the message, but don’t believe any threat…

A Topeka woman was arrested Thursday by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office following a short pursuit. Authorities say Destynee Thomas led law enforcement on a brief 14 mile pursuit Thursday just before 11:30 a.m. Deputies had been responding to an accident in the eastbound lane of Interstate 70, near mile marker 310, when Thomas’ SUV passed their location, nearly striking one of the patrol vehicles. A deputy, who was seated in that vehicle, pulled out and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Her vehicle slowed briefly before resuming the speed limit. Thomas was pulled over with the assistance of Kansas…

The Manhattan Fire Department has determined that a house fire Tuesday was caused by a juvenile playing with a lighter. No injuries were reported. A dog and cat were rescued from the two-story home at 913 Pierre Street. Damage was estimated at $90,000 including structural and content loss. The home’s occupants were alerted to the fire quickly and got out safely. Responding firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes.

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…