Author: Brandon Peoples

In the first month since taking over as the sixth director of the Riley County Police Department, Brian Peete has done a lot of visiting with members of the public. A well-attended meet and greet was held Thursday at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. A day later, Peete visited with KMAN, calling the ceremony both heartwarming and emotional. “It’s extraordinarily refreshing and blessed to be part of a community that has high expectations, but also understands that it takes everyone to move public safety and to move just the general vibe of a community forward,” he said. Peete was hired…

Junction City Police on Thursday arrested a woman in connection to the death of a 19-year-old woman last August. Police charged 22-year-old Alyzah Benitez, of Junction City, with distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm or death. The arrest follows a nearly six month investigation into the death of Caytlin Hinkle. Police say an autopsy determined Hinkle died from acute fentanyl intoxication Aug. 22. Benitez is being held in lieu of bond at the Geary County Detention Center, pending a first court appearance. JCPD has not released any further information.

Improvements to Manhattan’s levee system are more visible as the project nears the one year mark of construction. A temporary levee was recently constructed near Hayes Drive and Casement Road as a new box gets installed. City Manager Ron Fehr tells KMAN plans are in the works to elevate that intersection and eventually install a traffic signal there. Following levee improvements in that location, the city plans to signalize the intersection of Hayes and Casement. This week city commissioners authorized staff to apply for a Federal Aid Safety Grant for those improvements. Grants are awarded on a 90/10 split between…

A Manhattan man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after police say he threatened a woman with a baseball bat. According to the Riley County Police Department, 31-year-old Dakotah Garner was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and criminal threat. Garner and the 34-year-old victim reportedly got into an argument at a home in the 1400 block of Houston Street. Garner was jailed and later released after posting a $5,000 bond.

Gov. Laura Kelly called on state lawmakers to work together to ensure Kansas is the best place in America to raise a family. “Continue to meet me in the middle. That’s how Kansans solve differences in their everyday lives, and it’s the only way we’ll solve the big challenges ahead of us,” she said. The governor made those comments during her annual State of the State address Tuesday in Topeka in front of a joint session of the Kansas House and Senate. Kelly outlined priorities for the 2023 session, including similar themes from her inaugural address such as fully ending…

A public reception for the new Riley County Police Department Director will take place Thursday at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will include remarks from Director Brian Peete. City Commissioner and current Law Board Chair John Matta as well as fellow commissioner and former Chair Linda Morse will also provide remarks. Peete was sworn in as RCPD’s sixth director on Dec. 30, succeeding Dennis Butler who retired in early 2022. He most recently served as police chief in Montpelier, Vermont. Members of the public are invited to attend. Director Peete will also…

A former Riley County Police Department Administrative Captain has withdrawn his name from consideration for a district magistrate vacancy. Josh Kyle had been one of three nominated to fill the seat vacated by James Kepple in November in the 21st Judicial District, composed of Riley and Clay counties. Kepple is now the municipal court judge for the City of Manhattan. The Office of Judicial Administration says the remaining two nominees will interview Feb. 7. They include Jeremy Larchick, of Fort Riley, at 9:30 a.m. and Christine Smith, of Manhattan, at 9:50 a.m. Larchick is Chief of Claims and Hospital Administration…

One week has passed since the City of Manhattan implemented paid parking in Aggieville, but not everyone has been happy about the change. An online petition, started by employees at Aggieville’s Bluestem Bistro, is calling for a return to free parking, citing specific concerns with the City of Manhattan’s charging Aggieville employees a monthly fee to park in the garage long-term. It also points to a squeeze on parking in the district caused by ongoing construction to redevelop the area. Bluestem Bistro co-owner Nancy Evangelidis says it’s bad timing with Aggieville under construction, making it harder for customers to access…

Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties met briefly Monday to discuss impending improvements to the Belvue Bridge. Earlier this month, the two counties learned that $6.4 million in federal money had been secured by Sen. Jerry Moran to go toward bridge rehabilitation, one of several Congressionally directed spending requests in Kansas. Updated cost estimates were presented Monday on both options the counties are considering. “$9.8 million for a new deck and $16.5 million for a new deck and three new steel girders underneath it,” County Engineer Nathan Bergman said. The updated cost estimates are shared in the county’s Jan. 23 agenda materials,…

Riley County Police are investigating a Friday jewelry theft at Manhattan Town Center, the second in two days at the shopping center. Monday’s RCPD activity report, noted Kay Jewelers was victimized Friday evening, when an unknown man stole a white and yellow gold necklace, valued at $6,500. The theft was reported one day after JCPenney also reported the theft of a 10k white gold carat diamond ring from its store, valued at $6,250. Police are investigating the two incidents to determine if they are somehow connected. Anyone with information, can contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers.