Author: Brandon Peoples

Three people were arrested over the weekend following a fight at an Aggieville establishment. The Riley County Police Department says officers were called out shortly before 12:30 a.m. Sunday to Tubby’s Sports Bar for reports of a fight in progress. When they arrived, officers witnessed 23-year-old Charles Ware, of Manhattan and 31-year-old Dennis Robinson, of St. Marys, engaged in a physical fight. Police say 22-year-old Anthony Kee, of Fort Riley also was involved. Robinson reportedly did not comply with orders and attempted to punch one of the officers, according to a statement from RCPD Public Information Officer Aaron Wintermote. Ware…

A facilitated public forum is being held tonight to get feedback on the future of parks and recreation programming in Manhattan. Workforce challenges have hampered the department in recent months, causing uncertainty for the future of some programming. Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr says city officials hope to get to a solution to one burning question. “How can we deliver these programs in a quality level that people want to participate in and can afford to participate in going forward, with the challenges that we have with the workforce and other issues today,” he said during an appearance Friday on…

Pottawatomie County commissioners this week approved a conditional use permit for a rock quarry to go in near Wheaton. The vote was 2-1 in favor of Mid-States Materials and came after months of discussion on the topic and a number of protests from residents who live near the planned quarry. It will be constructed about a half-mile west of Wheaton Road and Highway 16, via Reves Road. Commissioner Greg Riat, the lone commissioner to vote no on the quarry, took issue with condition number five, relating to 50 foot setbacks on each side of the property, arguing the setbacks should…

Advanced voting in Kansas began Wednesday ahead of the Aug. 2 primary election. Registered voters have until July 26 to obtain a ballot by mail. In-person voting is open at the county clerk’s office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Riley County will also host an advanced voting opportunity July 30 inside the Riley County Office Building from 8 a.m. to noon. Advanced voting officially wraps up statewide at noon Aug. 1. After registration closed Tuesday, Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo confirmed to KMAN there were 38,382 registered voters in the county, a number likely to go…

Panasonic has emerged as the mystery company behind the $4 billion APEX bill and will develop a second U.S. electric vehicle battery factory in Kansas, planned in the Kansas City area. Nikkei Asia reported the Japanese company today selected Kansas over Oklahoma for its proximity to Texas, the site of its other plant and favorable tax treatment. Panasonic will develop electric vehicle batteries for Tesla and aims to triple or quadruple EV battery production capacity by fiscal 2028 from the current level of about 50 gigawatt hours per year. It’s been rumored the site for the new facility will be…

Three people accused in a drug distribution investigation in St. George appeared in Pottawatomie County District Court Tuesday. Separate status hearings were scheduled over the next month for 44-year-old Dixie Martin, 30-year-old Kaley Hamilton and 23-year-old Wesley Cook, who were among five arrested a week ago. Four children were also placed into state custody as part of the investigation. Martin has been arraigned on four felony charges, including possession with intent to distribute, possession of an opiate, aggravated child endangerment and no drug tax stamp. She’s also charged with misdemeanor possession charges. Martin is set for a 1:30 p.m. status…

Authorities say nearly a dozen cattle died after a semi truck overturned Monday morning in northern Riley County. The accident shut down traffic for about five hours while members of the Riley County Police Department, Riley County Fire District No. 1, Kansas Highway Patrol and other agencies assisted in extrication of the cattle. Deputy Riley County Fire Chief John Martens says there were 60 head of cattle in the trailer when it overturned. Officials had to use the jaws of life to get the cattle out. At least 10 cows were either killed or had to be put down, due…

Pottawatomie County commissioners gave the go ahead Monday for an island annexation to proceed for the future Scorpion Biological Systems project east of Manhattan. The agreement will essentially put the 50 acre tract of land under the City of Manhattan’s jurisdiction for water, sewer and fire protection. Some questions still remain about how traffic will be managed in the area, especially along Excel Road. To date, development officials, including Chamber Director of Economic Development Daryn Soldan, have not met with residents living in the area about a general overview of the project. He says the reason for that is because there…

A Lyon County teenager sustained non-life threatening injuries Sunday after an accidental shooting near the Neosho River, south of Emporia. The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year-old Blaine McComsey of Hartford was carrying his fishing gear and a .22 caliber handgun down an embankment when he was startled by a “dangerous animal.” As he attempted to back away, he fell, causing the firearm to discharge into his lower left leg. McComsey was treated and released from Coffey County Hospital.

The first positive case of monkeypox was identified in Kansas over the weekend. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says a presumptive positive case was identified in Johnson County based on testing at the Kansas Health and Environment Laboratories. The patient is an adult resident of Johnson County who recently traveled out of state. The person, who was not identified is said to be working with KDHE to identify potential close contacts. KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek says the risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low.