Author: Brandon Peoples

Lafene Health Center will no longer offer COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic individuals — that is, people absent of symptoms — starting Monday. In a Wednesday release, the health center noted that if asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is required for travel, PCR testing will need to be completed. The patient will be responsible for the cost of PCR testing. Lafene continues to offer symptomatic testing free of charge to K-State students, faculty and staff. That free access continues until funds supporting the effort are exhausted. Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing is available at the Riley County Health Department, as well as some local pharmacies,…

A former preschool nurse entered a not guilty plea this week in Riley County to 27 charges of child sexual abuse. Joshua Penabaz (Pen-uh-bahz) entered his plea at a Monday hearing in front of Judge Kendra Lewison, via Zoom. Rather than setting a trial, his attorney, Bobby Hiebert requested another status hearing as he continues to gather more information. The next hearing will be at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21. If found guilty on all charges, Penabaz faces life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years, and a fine of $500,000. Penabaz resigned from his position at College…

Kansas State University has named its inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Rana Johnson will assume that role Dec. 1, coming to Manhattan from Indiana State University, where she serves as associate vice president for inclusive excellence and strategic initiatives. Her resume includes similar roles at Unity College in Maine as well as leadership roles with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. In a Tuesday news release, K-State officials noted Johnson will be the university’s senior executive responsible for guiding practices and creating opportunities to define, assess and promote inclusive excellence across all aspects of university life.…

Two women who survived a fatal August crash in Pottawatomie County are suing a Manhattan concrete company and a truck driver, alleging negligence in a crash that killed a 37-year-old Wamego man and his 7-year-old son. 36-year-old Jillian Tinkel, of Wamego, lost her husband Randy and son Korbin in the Aug. 11 crash. She and 34-year-old Megan Schindler, of St. Marys, were among two adult survivors in the crash, along with Tinkel’s 2-year-old son. All three sustained injuries in the crash. The pair are seeking a jury trial and damages exceeding $75,000. Tinkel and Schindler filed the suit Oct. 18…

An Ogden woman is jailed after she reportedly shot her husband in the head Friday night. Riley County Police say 76-year-old Bernice Farmer was arrested on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder. Police received a call shortly after 9 p.m. Friday with Farmer stating she had shot her husband. The 75-year-old victim was found suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Via Christi in critical condition and later life-flighted to Stormont Vail in Topeka. Farmer remains jailed on a $100,000 total bond. Police are continuing to investigate. More information will be released as it becomes available.

In the race for the Kansas District 67 House seat, Republican incumbent Mike Dodson is challenged by Democrat Kim Zito, both of Manhattan. The two were interviewed on News Radio KMAN on Oct. 19 regarding their positions on some of the key issues. Here are their responses. 1. What issue specifically facing the Manhattan area do you see needing attention in the upcoming legislative session? 2. In terms of education and policy, what are some of the challenges still facing our K-12 schools today, How do you go about addressing that? 3. Higher education continues to see declines in new…

Spots remain available for next week’s Rural Child Success Road Trip, being put on by the Riley County Extension Community Vitality Program Development Committee and the Riley County Rural Economic Development Advisory Board. The event is being held Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Riley County Public Works meeting room (6215 Tuttle Creek Blvd). It will feature information on childcare challenges facing the workforce, especially both locally and regionally. It will include a listening session for both current and former childcare providers. Parents of young children in need of care from Riley County are urged to attend. Those who come…

Junction City Commissioners have reached an agreement to proceed on acquiring the former Junction City High School property. The city has been in negotiations with USD 475 to acquire the property for $1. Over the past month, the two sides have been hashing out a compromise, as the district sought removal of all building permit fees for all future projects. City Manager Allen Dinkel maintained Tuesday that he does not want to see that continue in perpetuity, but says an exception could be made on the next district project, a proposed early childhood development center. The district is considering placing…

The cost for providing court-appointed attorneys in Pottawatomie County may soon go up. At Monday’s meeting it was noted that the three attorneys making up the county’s indigent dependent panel are seeking a new contract for services. They’re seeking compensation of $7,000 per month each, up from the $5,000 per month they’ve been under contract for since 2017. County Counselor John Watt says there are concerns if a contract could not be agreed upon. By law, the county is required to provide counsel to those unable to afford representation. Commissioners weren’t prepared to meet with the panel just yet, instead…

The search for the next director of the Riley County Police Department is winding down. At Monday’s Law Board meeting in Leonardville, three finalists were announced, from a pool of 15 candidates. Those finalists include RCPD Administrative Captain Josh Kyle, Edwardsville, Kansas Police Chief Mark Mathies and Montpelier, Vermont Police Chief Brian Peete. Law Board Chair Linda Morse says the board will host all three gentlemen at a forum next week.  “The forum will be held Thursday, Oct. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Manhattan Fire Department Headquarters (2000 Denison Ave.). The forum will start with finalists’ presentations,…