Author: Brandon Peoples

A public input session is planned by Manhattan city officials next week regarding the upcoming Aggieville streetscape projects. City officials are working with design consultants on plans for the next infrastructure phases to improve streets, sidewalks, landscaping and amenities in Aggieville, along with lighting and other underground utilities. Upcoming projects include 12th Street improvements from Laramie to Moro Streets, Laramie Street from 11th to North Manhattan Ave. and the pedestrian path between Rally House and Goodcents, north of the parking garage. The public meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Manhattan City Hall, in the city commission chambers.

A report for theft was filed over the weekend after a trailer was stolen containing thousands of dollars in equipment. The Riley County Police Department says the report came in around 4 p.m. Sunday in the 3600 block of Claflin Road. Manhattan Cross Country Club reported its 5 by 10 trailer containing race equipment was stolen from the parking lot. The estimated total loss is nearly $14,000. Police are asking anyone that may have information to contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers.

Authorities in Pottawatomie County are investigating a past theft of a trailer. According to Sheriff Shane Jager, a report came in Monday to the 200 block of Noble Street in Belvue. The trailer was reportedly stolen around 4:45 a.m. Sunday and was towed away with what is believed to be a white 2011 to 2014 model GMC Sierra 2500 with front end damage to the bumper, grill and hood. The trailer is described as a white 2017 Forest River tandem axle 14 foot bumper-pull with a missing fender on the driver’s side. Jager says the trailer contained a red Jahn’s…

The Pottawatomie County Commission has recommended a member of the Planning Commission resign or be forcibly removed from the board due to attendance issues. “It’s time for him to either retire or leave or be removed and it’s not a negotiation,” said Commissioner Greg Riat at Monday’s meeting. The commission didn’t specify by name which of the planning commission members should be removed from the board, but meeting minutes online show that District 2 planning commissioner Jared Cox hasn’t attended a Planning Commission meeting since July. County Commission Chair Pat Weixelman says it’s something that’s handicapped the 10-member Planning Commission,…

Cookies will be on full display Saturday out at St. Thomas More Church’s Parish Center for the 32nd annual Cookie Carousel. The annual event is a fundraiser put on by the Thomas More Ladies, with this year’s beneficiaries being Sunflower Children’s Collective, Catholic Charities and Life Choice Ministries. Several tables will be filled with holiday festive cookies and candies. Cookies are seven dollars per pound. Vendors will also have some items for sale and Santa and his elves will be on hand for photos. Since the event’s inception, the Thomas More Ladies have given around $80,000 back to community organizations.…

A status conference was held this week for a Lecompton man accused of involuntary manslaughter for his role in an August crash that killed a father and son near Wamego and injured three others. Mark Stanwix appeared in Pottawatomie County District Court Tuesday. Judge Erich Campbell scheduled a 9 a.m. preliminary hearing on Friday, Feb. 3. Stanwix is currently charged with eight total counts, including two of involuntary manslaughter, three of aggravated battery, as well as single counts of interference with law enforcement, reckless driving and use of a communication device while driving. Stanwix was the driver in a fatal…

One person was taken to the hospital Tuesday night following a crash in the 2600 block of Kimball Ave. According to RCPD, officers were dispatched around 11:30 p.m. for a westbound vehicle that had left the roadway, struck a tree and overturned in the front yard of a house. Police say 19-year-old Alexander Arwine, of Manhattan, was transported to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of a significant leg laceration and pain in his ankle and hand. RCPD released no additional details about the crash.

No serious injuries were reported following a two vehicle crash Tuesday morning near Tuttle Creek Blvd and Walters Drive. According to RCPD, officers were called out to the scene just after 7:30 a.m. and found a Dodge Journey SUV had flipped onto its side and had at least one person entrapped. The vehicle had been involved in a crash with a Dodge Avenger. Citizens driving by the crash scene stopped to help assist them prior to emergency personnel arriving on scene and were able to get all occupants out of the vehicle. At least one person was transported to Ascension…

An investigation is underway after a small fire was reported Monday inside a bathroom at Manhattan High School’s west campus. In a letter sent to parents Monday evening, Principal Michael Dorst noted that students reported to a teacher around 10:30 a.m. that the soap dispenser in a boys’ bathroom in the F hall had been lit on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished. Dorst says Manhattan Fire, the Riley County Police Department and MHS administration are conducting an investigation. A post of the soap dispenser on fire was reportedly shared on Snapchat. Anyone with information to share can contact MFD,…

The search for a new district magistrate judge in the 21st Judicial District will officially begin Friday as a nominating commission plans to convene by telephone conference, to set the schedule for filling a vacancy on the court. Last week it was announced that Judge James Kepple was leaving the court to become the next City of Manhattan municipal judge. Kepple’s last day on the district court, composed of Clay and Riley counties, was Monday. To be considered for district magistrate judge, a nominee must be a Riley County resident at the time of taking office and while holding office.…