Author: Brandon Peoples

A Manhattan man convicted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder will spend more than 23 years behind bars. Mark Anthony Koch, 54,  was sentenced Friday to 284 months in prison for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, burglary and theft.  The charges stemmed from an October 2019 incident where Koch strangled 37-year-old Neta Ambar by wrapping a cord around her neck in her home. Koch was found guilty on all charges during an August trial in Riley County District Court. His sentencing came weeks after the court denied Koch’s motion for a new trial, claiming his…

Riley County Police are investigating a reported robbery that occurred Friday night at Dairy Queen, at 1015 North 3rd Street. According to RCPD Public Information Officer Aaron Wintermote, an armed individual robbed the restaurant around 10:15 p.m. Friday taking all the money from the registers, which totaled just under $600. That individual then fled the area. Police have yet to arrest a suspect in that case. Anyone with information is urged to contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers.

Riley County recently hired a new community health educator tasked with sharing opioid prevention education in the tri-county region. Riley County Health Officer Julie Gibbs spoke about her new hire, Asia Sampson, during her Thursday update to the Board of County Commissioners. “She started on November 19th and has done a great job so far. She’s connected with a lot of our community partners including Kari Humes, who is our drug and alcohol counselor at USD 383. She’s already met with the other two counties. We do share her with Pottawatomie and Geary County as well,” Gibbs said. The KDHE…

A Fort Riley soldier accused of murdering a fellow soldier in Aggieville nearly one year ago, was bound over for trial on Friday following a preliminary hearing in Riley County District Court. Tremelle Montgomery, 20, faces seven total counts, including first degree murder, three counts of attempted first degree murder and three new counts of aggravated assault, presented by the prosecution at Friday’s hearing. Montgomery is accused of shooting and killing 21-year-old Joshua Wardi on Feb. 5, outside an Aggieville bar. He’s also accused in the attempted murder and aggravated assault of three other victims — Donovan Bastien, Jared Musgrave…

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…