Author: Brandon Peoples

A Manhattan man convicted of killing two men will spend the next 32 years behind bars. Montrell Vassar was sentenced by Riley County District Court Judge John Bosch Monday, to 387 months in prison for his role in the shooting deaths of 23-year-old Javon Gray and 19-year-old Skylar Havens. The pair were gunned down from behind in October 2020 in the 700 block of Allison Ave. during the course of a robbery. As part of a plea agreement entered last month with prosecutors, Vassar had agreed to also pay more than $6,700 in restitution. According to Deputy Riley County Attorney…

A status hearing for Robert Iacobellis was held Monday, as the defendant appeared yet again without counsel, weeks after dismissing his court-appointed attorneys. Iacobellis, who stands charged with 27 counts of sexual abuse involving four individuals, informed Judge Kendra Lewison that he has been unable to secure funding to hire Lawrence-based attorney Christopher Joseph. He says he had secured half of the $50,000 needed, but then learned the price had doubled to $100,000. Iacobellis said he has two people, including a family member, helping secure funding for the costly legal battle, but indicated that the price tag may be out…

A new permanent monument on the grounds of the Kansas State Capitol will recognize Gold Star Families. The monument was unveiled at a Friday ceremony, with Gov. Laura Kelly, Executive Director of the Governor’s Military Council Lt. General Perry Wiggins, as well as State Senators Tom Hawk and Jeff Longbine on hand. The monument honors the families of more than 6,500 fallen service members who died while serving in a time of conflict. Gov. Kelly thanked the legislature for passing Senate Bill 330, which allowed for the memorial’s construction, saying it fulfilled a challenge by late Marine Corps Warrant Officer…

Max Stanard’s interception in the closing minute sealed the victory for the Class 6A No. 1 Manhattan Indians over No. 4 Washburn Rural Friday night 28-25 at Bishop Stadium. The victory marked Manhattan’s third win this season over a ranked opponent. For Manhattan, it also marked a win over the only team to beat them last year during the regular season. The contest saw a number of penalties on both sides of the ball, some early special teams gaffes by both teams. Manhattan won the turnover battle, coughing it up on a fumble in the red zone in the third…

Health officials say Riley County has moved into the substantial incidence category for COVID-19 after recording 61 new cases for the week of Sept. 10th through the 16th. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment noted the incidence rate was 82.2, which was enough to lower Riley County from high to substantial, based on cases per 100,000 people. Along with the improved numbers, no hospitalizations were noted Wednesday and no additional deaths have been reported. The Riley County Health Department continues to administer COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Novavax and also has ample supply of the new bivalent (by-VAY-lent)…

The long-time director of the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau has announced plans to retire in the new year. Karen Hibbard announced Wednesday she’ll depart the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce in February, after 26 years of service to Manhattan. During her tenure as CVB Director, Manhattan has seen significant additions to its convention and tourism segments, including an expanded Manhattan Conference Center and the addition of the Flint Hills Discovery Center and Blue Earth Plaza. Her office also oversees the Class 2A state high school basketball tournament each March at Bramlage Coliseum. “I have had the fortunate opportunity to…

A Manhattan woman was killed Wednesday in a crash in Washington County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 71-year-old Anne Nielsen was southbound on K-148, about three miles south of Hanover, shortly before 4 p.m. Authorities say she failed to stop at a stop sign at the US 36 junction. Her vehicle was struck by a westbound pickup. Nielsen died at the scene. The pickup driver, a 60-year-old Wyoming man, was transported to the Hanover hospital after suffering a possible injury. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

A prisoner who had been serving time for Riley County convictions of child sex abuse has died behind bars. The Kansas Department of Corrections says 29-year-old Cody James Torbol was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday at the El Dorado Correctional Facility. The department says staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. The cause of death is pending results of an independent autopsy. Officials say a preliminary assessment indicates Torbol’s death was not related to COVID-19. Torbol was serving a 221-month sentence based on convictions of aggravated criminal sodomy of a child. An investigation is…

Geary County authorities are investigating a Milford couple accused of an early morning rape Tuesday at a residence on Old Highway 77. Deputies from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office responded to Junction City High School around 8:30 a.m. in response to the allegation. Following an investigation, deputies arrested 43-year-old Christopher James Beem on a single count of rape. Deputies also arrested 40-year-old Melissa Sue Beem on a charge of aiding and abetting rape. Further details will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Trespassing on Linear Trail and areas surrounding where levee construction is continuing, will be more strictly enforced starting next week. The City of Manhattan says beginning Monday, anyone caught in the restricted area surrounding the Kansas River and Big Blue River levee project will be subject to criminal charges that could lead to an arrest and prosecution. Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr says work is progressing to a new stage that will see a large increase in heavy equipment traffic and building materials. That area has been restricted to the public since construction began in February, from South Manhattan Ave.,…