Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansas State University has announced an inauguration date for Dr. Richard Linton, to be held shortly after the start of the new school year. Linton was named as the university’s 15th president in December and began duties in mid-February, upon the retirement of Gen. Richard Myers. University officials said Monday an official inauguration will take place at 2 p.m. Sept. 2 in McCain Auditorium. It will be followed by a reception. The ceremony will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend or watch live. Classes will not be canceled during the inauguration. More details will be shared from the…

One week after Manhattan passed its resolution to approve annexation for the Scorpion Biological Systems development, Pottawatomie County held a work session Monday where commissioners hashed out some of their desires with the project going forward. Commissioner Dee McKee questioned Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr about concerns she has that Highway 24 isn’t included within the city’s access due to costs associated with constructing turn lanes. Fehr responded how the two sides might be able to reach an agreement that’s fair to both sides while utilizing the help of KDOT. While the commission noted no intention to prevent that from…

Travelers continue to book flights out of Manhattan at a strong pace. In May, over 7,000 passengers flew out of Manhattan Regional Airport, accounting for the best May on record for the airport since American began offering airline service. Airport Director Brandon Keazer says it was also the third best month on record for the airport. Keazer says the rebound for air travel has been good to see, and credits a willingness from residents to make plans to travel after two years of pandemic restrictions. After implementing paid parking last year to help pay for parking lot improvements, Keazer says…

Storms are being blamed for causing another structure fire this week in Manhattan. The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched around 12:30 this morning to 320 Rosewalk Place, in southwest Manhattan. Upon arrival, fire was discovered on the exterior gable above the garage. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and an investigation determined it was caused by a lightning strike. Both sides of the duplex were occupied and all three living there were able to get out safely without injury. The total structure loss is estimated at $20,000 to the two adjoining units. There was no reported loss of…

A former Wamego High math teacher is facing criminal charges, three weeks after her husband, a former Wamego Middle School science teacher was arrested. Arrest records show 55-year-old Deborah Sylvester was booked Tuesday in on a Pottawatomie County warrant charging her with unlawful sexual relations. Her husband, 51-year-old Allen Sylvester is charged with the same offense and was also booked Tuesday. The two were no longer confined as of Thursday. The crime is alleged to have occurred in Pottawatomie County, involving a former student, who was 17 and turned 18 during the 2020-21 school year. According to Pottawatomie County Attorney…

The Biden administration’s proposal for a three month federal gas-tax holiday is getting chilly reaction from both sides of the political aisle. Doing so, would mean the 18 cents per gallon that consumers pay at the pump for gasoline and the 24 cents per gallon for diesel, would be suspended in an attempt to give Americans some relief at the pump. However, those funds go into the Highway Trust Fund, but the administration has said any suspension of the tax wouldn’t negatively impact it since the deficit is at a low point. Both Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall…

A pair of Junction City residents were killed Tuesday, when the truck they were traveling in, crashed southeast of Wakefield in Clay County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the driver of a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup lost control while traveling northbound on County Line Road, just after 6 p.m. The vehicle struck a nearby bridge and overturned. The driver, 70-year-old Winfer Ray Abernathy and a passenger, 74-year-old Margaret Abernathy, of Junction City, died at the scene. The crash report says both were wearing a seatbelt. No further details have been released.

Long time Wamego Police Chief Mike Baker is out of a job. An emailed statement from City Manager Stacie Eichem Wednesday says Baker’s employment with the city ended Wednesday, more than a week after he was suspended, for reasons that are still unclear. Eichem wrote “The City of Wamego would like to thank Mike Baker for his service to Wamego and its Citizens. We wish him well in the future.” Deputy Police Chief Paul Schliffke has been named as interim Chief until a permanent replacement is named. The Wamego Times reported that Baker spoke during public comment at Tuesday’s commission…

The Riley County Law Board has approved a $1.9 million increase to the RCPD budget for 2023, an increase of about 8.5 percent. The increase, approved by a 6 to 1 measure Tuesday, more than doubles the 3.5 percent increase approved for 2022. It includes over $1 million in additional funds aimed at making RCPD more competitive in recruiting and retaining officers. The total overall budget now pushes to just slightly over $25 million. “It costs money to do it right. Frankly it can cost more to not do it right, whether it’s somebody getting hurt because we didn’t have…

Riley County offices will have no access to internet services Wednesday as Cox Communications performs some planned network maintenance. This will impact internet and email services for all Riley County offices and employees. Phone lines will still be available, but staff will not be able to respond to email messages or access online databases. The Riley County website will remain active. Non-emergency services, such as the Riley County Courts, will reschedule any Zoom hearings planned for today. The Riley County Treasurer’s Office will not offer motor vehicle services, such as registration and tag renewal and those with appointments have been…