Author: Brandon Peoples

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.

A Manhattan man’s collection of Kansas City Chiefs memorabilia is now the Guinness World Record holder for the largest collection in the world. Curt Herrman, who began collecting random Chiefs items following the team’s win in Super Bowl IV at the age of 9, has grown his collection, now known as the ‘Chiefseum’, to a record-setting 1,110 total items. “When I got the first world record, almost two years ago, the record was 642. Since then, I’ve had people sending me stuff, giving me things and so now it’s doubled (in size) in the last two years,” he said. The…

Weeks after a man was found in an Aggieville alley with severe head injuries, Riley County Police say they’ve arrested a suspect who they believe is responsible. Jordan Owens, a 25-year-old from Fort Riley was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon for aggravated battery. He’s accused of punching a 23-year-old man Aug. 28. Fort Riley’s Criminal Investigation Division assisted in the investigation. The victim was later found in the alley behind Tate’s Bar in the 1100 block of Moro Street by a group of people who brought him to the emergency room at Ascension Via Christi. The man was later transported…

Officials have confirmed that the new bivalent doses of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines arrived Tuesday at the Riley County Health Department. They will be available to the public starting Thursday. Individuals 18 and older are eligible for a single booster of the Moderna bivalent, if it’s been at least two months since completion of the primary vaccination or the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent vaccine has been received. Individuals 12 and older are eligible for a single booster of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine bivalent, if two months have passed since competing the primary…

Pottawatomie County commissioners on Monday discussed a need for more communication between its board and the Planning and Zoning Board moving forward. The two entities have been busy working through conditional use permits for a number of rock quarries, outdoor wedding venues and working through developing possible regulations for solar farms. At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Pat Weixelman suggested the two sides need to be able to meet more often, suggesting more frequent joint meetings. Typically the two boards meet at least once a year. County Planner Stephan Metzger suggested that could be a possibility, though expressed some hesitation. Metzger plans…