Author: Brandon Peoples

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.,…

Authorities say a pedestrian was killed Tuesday morning in Clay Center after being struck by a school bus. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the bus was eastbound on Lincoln Ave approaching the intersection of 6th Street just after 7 a.m. The bus driver reportedly did not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk as he crossed the street. The pedestrian, 69-year-old Harold Mugler, of Clay Center, died at the scene. The 71-year-old bus driver was not injured. Following the crash, Clay County USD 379 Superintendent Brett Nelson issued a statement saying no students were on the bus at the time…

A Douglas County man has been charged in connection to an August motor vehicle crash that killed a Wamego man and his son and injured three others. Pottawatomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck confirmed to KMAN in an email Monday, that 44-year-old Mark Stanwix, of Lecompton, is charged with six felonies, including two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of aggravated battery, as well as a single count of obstruction. He’s additionally charged with reckless driving and texting while driving. A warrant for his arrest was issued Friday.  Stanwix was the driver of a semi truck that struck a pickup and…

Riley County Police say thousands of dollars worth of firearms were stolen recently from a Manhattan storage unit. According to Monday’s activity report, officers filed a report for burglary Saturday in the 5,000 block of Murray Road, listing two men, aged 21 and 24 as victims when their storage unit was broken into. Police say multiple firearms were stolen during the course of the burglary, including an MK18 AR-15 rifle, a Century Arms AK Draco, two CZ 9 millimeter handguns, an antique black powder revolver and ammunition. The estimated total loss is approximately $7,900. Anyone with information is asked to…

An Ogden man is jailed in connection to a rape and sexual battery charges involving two separate Riley County women. The Riley County Police Department says 55-year-old Charles McMullen was arrested Friday evening on two counts of rape stemming from a Sept. 2 incident involving a 58-year-old victim. He’s also charged with an additional count of rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery in connection to a July 5 incident involving a 51-year-old victim. RCPD says both women were known to McMullen. McMullen remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.