Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

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…