Author: Brandon Peoples

Originally posted on kstateonline.com by Derek Young DEUCE’S BLOCK It probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to most, but the favorite moment of the night for Deuce Vaughn was the first play. He loved being able to prove that he is more than just a rusher or receiver. Vaughn delivered the block at the point of attack on Malik Knowles’ touchdown run. He did more than just get in the way of the defender, too. Deuce knocked him on his back. Now, he had some karma later in the game when he had his facemask grabbed and pulled, and he shared that…

Systems continue to be tested at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, with commissioning making progress, according to officials. NBAF Deputy Director Dr. Ken Burton shared those comments with KMAN this week, noting some of the rigorous testing occurring behind the scenes to ensure the $1.25 billion animal and zoonotic disease laboratory is functioning safely and securely. Burton says commissioning agents and the construction contractor take all of the individual systems and have them function together in synchronization. One key piece being tested, is how the systems react to things like a high wind event. He explains the importance of such…

A third suspect connected to a July 28 alleged robbery on Waterway Place in Manhattan, is now in custody. The Riley County Police Department says 19-year-old Evan Megaw, of Junction City, was arrested Wednesday for aggravated robbery, after it was reported he and two others robbed a 17-year-old male at gunpoint. Others charged in the case include 15-year-old Terriundis Toliver and 18-year-old Malachi Fielder, who were previously arrested in July and August, respectively. Megaw is jailed on a total bond of $85,000.

Riley County COVID cases continue to climb once again, with KDHE and Riley County health officials confirming Wednesday that it recorded 140 new cases between Aug. 20 and Aug. 26. In its latest weekly report, the Riley County Health Department said the incidence rate remains in the HIGH category at 188.8. Ascension Via Christi reported it was caring for just one positive patient Wednesday being treated in the medical ward. A 95-year-old unvaccinated woman, who died Aug. 8, became the 94th known COVID-related death in Riley County. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations of the…

The Geary County School District will pay a former Fort Riley Middle School math teacher $95,000 to settle a lawsuit filed after she was disciplined for refusing to use the student’s preferred pronouns, according to her attorneys. Pamela Ricard filed the suit in March after being suspended three days in the spring of 2021 for the matter. It was also noted that Ricard was required by the district to conceal the child’s social transition to parents.  She claims the district’s policies on preferred pronouns violated her religious beliefs. Ricard was challenging a school district policy that forced her to use…

Junction City Police have released more information about Tuesday’s standoff in the 800 block of Skyline Drive, including the suspect’s name and charges filed against him. Police say 35-year-old Curtis McDaniel, of Junction City, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, aggravated child endangerment, felony possession of a firearm and criminal threat. According to police, members of JCPD and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance between neighbors involving a firearm. McDaniel is accused of then barricading himself in his home for about 4 and a half hours until S.W.A.T teams deployed and were able to get him…

A Manhattan man was arrested Tuesday in the 600 block of Highland Ridge Drive. According to RCPD, 20-year-old Joshua Garrison was jailed on single counts of aggravated domestic battery and kidnapping shortly after 6 p.m. Garrison is accused of strangling an 18-year-old female victim and forcefully restricting her movements. He remains jailed on a $20,000 total bond. Two Topeka men were also arrested Tuesday, shortly before 7 p.m., near Fort Riley Blvd. and Poliska Lane on a number of criminal charges, following a traffic stop. RCPD says 31-year-old Deshon Smith and 47-year-old Michael Anthony Jones were both jailed after it…

Manhattan city officials say Kimball Avenue will be reopened to all four lanes of traffic between College Avenue and North Manhattan Avenue, starting Thursday. The project, part of the North Campus Corridor plan around Kansas State University, had interrupted traffic flow on the major thoroughfare for almost a year, shutting down last October, as part of a 13 phase planned infrastructure improvement in the city. The two most recent phases were partially funded by $6.8 million in grants from KDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. Motorists will notice wider lanes on Kimball Avenue as well as a center left-turn lane…

One person was injured just before noon Tuesday in a crash on K-99 near the westbound off ramp of Interstate 70 in Wabaunsee County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a semi driver failed to yield to a northbound pickup as it crossed the highway from the off ramp. The semi struck the pickup on the driver’s side. According to the crash report, 40-year-old Keith Murphy, of McFarland, was transported to Stormont Vail with a suspected minor injury. The 63-year-old semi driver, from New York, was not injured.

Junction City Police say one person is in custody following a 4 and a half hour standoff Tuesday afternoon with law enforcement. Authorities with JCPD and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office responded sometime after 5 p.m. to a disturbance between neighbors in the 800 block of Skyline Drive. Upon arrival, an unidentified person barricaded himself within their residence and refused lawful orders given by officers on scene. Local S.W.A.T. teams were deployed and after the 4.5 hour standoff, the man gave himself up to officers without incident. No injuries were reported. Officials continue to investigate but say there is no…