Author: Brandon Peoples

The Manhattan-Ogden School Board reorganized Wednesday evening, electing a new president and vice president for 2023. Curt Herrman, who served as president over the past year, nominated Karla Hagemeister to lead the board. She previously served in the role in 2020. “We have some great challenges coming up next year and Karla has really proven to be an effective leader that took us through COVID and you really were shortchanged last time you were president because you didn’t get to go anywhere or do anything,” he said. Herrman also commended her ability to lead in a year that will see…

A pedestrian was injured Wednesday morning after being struck by a motorist on the Kansas State University campus. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 62-year-old Randall Mai, of Manhattan, was walking north across Claflin Road just west of Mid-Campus Drive around 7:30 Wednesday morning. Authorities say he was not in a crosswalk and was struck by a motorist in the westbound lane. K-State Police said initially that Mai was transported by Riley County EMS to Ascension Via Christi, but the crash report states he was later taken to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka for a suspected serious injury. The driver…

A Manhattan business is out more than $100,000 in merchandise after an apparent online scam. The Riley County Police Department said Wednesday that it filed a report for theft by deception and unlawful computer acts, listing Champion Teamwear as the victim. The store reportedly was scammed by unknown suspects claiming to be employees of New York Presbyterian Hospital, who ordered over $100,000 in merchandise that was shipped to them but never paid for. Police say anyone with information that can help solve this crime can contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers.

A new partnership was announced Tuesday between Kansas State University and NetWork Kansas to create a network of liaisons across the state, aimed at economic growth literally in all 105 Kansas counties. Vice President for Research Dr. David Rosowsky tells KMAN the effort will strengthen its broader Economic Prosperity Plan, launched in late 2021. “The K-State 105 component of the Economic Prosperity Plan, is our university’s commitment to creating conditions for economic growth and economic prosperity statewide,” he said. The partnership was announced at a news conference Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka, with K-State President Richard Linton, Regent Cheryl…

Update – 11 a.m. Wednesday A Tuesday house fire in south Manhattan is now being investigated as being intentionally set. The Manhattan Fire Department was called out to 807 Pottawatomie Avenue Tuesday afternoon, and contained the fire, located in a front room, within 10 minutes. The home had smoke throughout and a dog escaped the home safely after a back door was opened by firefighters. The Riley County Police Department filed an arson report, listing a 75-year-old woman as the victim when a 28-year-old woman reportedly started the fire. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday. The fire department…

As students return to classes this week at Kansas State University, the American Red Cross is hoping to fill some of its open slots for the Manhattan Blood Drive, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday. Local Red Cross spokesperson Kristi Ingalls says there is currently an urgent need for donations, as they’re lacking appointments for both days. As of Monday morning, Ingalls reported the Red Cross was 49 appointments short of its goal for Tuesday and 29 short of Wednesday’s goal. The blood drive runs from noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Pottorf…

Tuesday marks the official launch of paid parking in the Aggieville Parking Garage. Manhattan city officials say payments can be made through the Park Mobile app, using a credit or debit card. Patrons can also register their license plate and pay for on-demand parking. The Park Mobile app is also used at K-State and Manhattan Regional Airport and is available for both iPhone and Android devices. Permits may also be purchased through a link on the City of Manhattan website, where additional parking information is available. Employees who work in Aggieville can obtain permits to park in the garage at…

The Riley County Law Board will hold its first meeting of the new year Tuesday. The meeting will include reorganization, which occurs every two years, as well as election of officers. Coming off the Law Board will be Manhattan City Commissioner and current Law Board Chair Linda Morse, as well as Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke, and citizen representatives Be Stoney and Robert Ward. Four new appointees will take their seats including City Commissioners Wynn Butler and John Matta and citizens Kaleb James and Betty Mattingly-Ebert. Riley County Commissioner John Ford, citizen Pat Hudgins and County Attorney Barry Wilkerson will…

Pottawatomie County authorities have arrested a Wamego man on a number of drug charges. According to Sheriff Shane Jager, deputies executed a narcotics search warrant Wednesday in the 3600 block of Apel Road, charging 47-year-old Michael Duane Johnson with cultivation of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a firearm, as well as possession of marijuana, stimulant and drug paraphernalia. The Sheriff’s Office says the warrant was executed as a result of an investigation into illegal drug activity and stolen property. Items seized included numerous marijuana plants, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as several items of stolen property. Johnson was…

Fort Riley officials have released their annual economic impact summary, which measures the installation’s estimated economic footprint on the Central Flint Hills region, including the Manhattan and Junction City area. Officials in a Thursday release said the financial impact for fiscal year 2022 rose to $1.88 billion, topping $1.8 billion for a second consecutive year. Fort Riley serves a population that includes more than 62,000 soldiers, family members, civilian employees, retirees and veterans, both on post and off, including Riley, Geary, Pottawatomie and surrounding counties. As the largest employer in the region, the total payroll for 2022 was over $1.2…