Author: Brandon Peoples

The Kansas Highway Patrol has released its Independence Day Holiday Activity Report. The weekend included 18 DUI arrests, over 1,000 speed citations and over 100 seat belt citations. DUI arrests were about on par with the previous two holidays, which saw 20 arrests in 2020 and 19 arrests last year. It included one fatal non-DUI related crash and one non DUI-related fatality. A total of 888 motorists were assisted during the three-day period. Full statistics are available below. Enforcement Data 2020 2021 2022 DUI Arrests 20 19 18 Speed Citations 824 822 1082 Speed Warnings 622 661 745 Safety Belt…

A Manhattan man’s storage unit was burglarized over the weekend, to the tune of nearly $3,000. The Riley County Police Department says a report for burglary was filed Friday afternoon in the 2700 block of Eureka Terrace. Police say a 35-year-old man reported the theft of two 60 inch televisions, two motorcycle helmets, a Craftsman lawn mower, a Shark vacuum, an air fryer and several Craftsman hand tools were stolen from his storage unit. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. —- Wamego Police are warning the public of an increase in burglaries in the…

The Junction City Police Department unveiled their new D.A.R.E car during Monday’s 4th of July parade. The vehicle was equipped with lights, a custom wrap and other modifications from local businesses. It was entirely paid for by asset forfeiture and was no cost to taxpayers. Officers also brought the new Camaro to Heritage Park for the annual 4th of July fireworks show, wrapping up a busy weekend for Freedom Fest.

Authorities responded over the weekend to three separate incidents of boats on Milford Lake that became disabled and were taking on water. Members of the Geary County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Junction City Fire Department EMTs and Water Rescue Swimmers responded to three calls between Sunday evening and Monday afternoon. In each case no injuries were reported and those aboard each boat were escorted to safety. As a reminder, the Sheriff’s Office shared some helpful tips for boaters heading out on the waters in a Monday news release. They say boaters should make sure the boat plug is secure, ensure…

Dark store theory, an argument by big box retailers to value their properties as empty buildings rather than an operating business, was dealt a major blow Friday. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Friday that 11 Walmart properties in Johnson County were overtaxed by nearly $60 million in 2016 and 2017. In a unanimous decision, the high court said the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals wrongly ruled in Walmart’s favor, disregarding evidence from Johnson County on how the properties should be valued. In an email to KMAN Friday, Riley County Appraiser Anna Burson said she was reviewing the Supreme Court’s decision…

The Geary County Commission held a special meeting Friday to approve a contract with Stormont Vail Hospital which will assume control of the struggling Geary Community Hospital on January 1. The hospital will become Stormont Vail – Flint Hills Campus. Under the contract, Stormont will manage the Geary Community Hospital and its rural health clinic through the end of this year. During that time period both sides will stabilize hospital and clinical operations, install an electronic medical record system and introduce and integrate the Stormont Vail culture and processes, according to a Friday news release. Stormont says the investments over…

An Onaga woman is recovering following a Wednesday car crash near the Pottawatomie and Nemaha County line. Officials with the Kansas Highway Patrol say 58-year-old Delores Sauvage was northbound on Kansas Highway 63 shortly before 12:30 p.m. when her Cadillac Deville left the roadway to the east and struck a field entrance. The car reportedly went airborne before coming to rest on it’s front. Sauvage, who was the only one in the car, was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with a suspected serious injury. The crash report indicates she was wearing a seat belt at the time of…

A petition to expand the Pottawatomie County Commission is in the hands of elections officials. Election Supervisor Ashley Rice tells KMAN that a 106-page list of signatures were turned in June 23rd by planning commissioner Doug Kern, who is advocating to expand the board from 3 to 5 seats. Rice says they’re hoping to start the verification process next week. Commissioner Dee McKee, who is seeking re-election, motioned to bypass the verification process Monday, saying elections officials are swamped with the redistricting process and preparing for both the primary and general elections. McKee’s motion died for a lack of a second.…

An open house is planned Friday for a new space aimed at connecting LGBTQ youth in the Manhattan area. True Colors will officially launch its Flint Hills Chapter with a Pride themed 4th of July party at the new space. Manhattan-Ogden school board member Jayme Morris-Hardeman and her husband recently donated a rental property for the project. Morris-Hardeman says she gathered feedback from young people who wanted a safe place to hang out with friends and access mental health services . The project is aimed at young LGBTQ+ individuals in middle school and high school. The nonprofit organization is also…

More federal dollars could soon be available to fund repairs to the Belvue Bridge. Pottawatomie County Administrator Chad Kinsley told commissioners this week that Sen. Jerry Moran’s office has been actively seeking Congressionally Directed Spending dollars. Sen. Moran is requesting $6.4 million on behalf of the Kansas Department of Transportation for rehabilitation of the existing bridge which crosses the Kansas River. Earlier this month Pottawatomie County agreed to beef up its local match from 35 to 40 percent to improve its chances of getting some federal funds. It’s estimated that a bridge rehabilitation could cost roughly $11 million, with a…