Author: Brandon Peoples

Pottawatomie County has agreed to pay a portion of the cost to install a new signalized crosswalk at the intersection of Green Valley Road and Nature Ave. The solar powered signal is aimed at improving safety for students in the area who walk to the new Oliver Brown Elementary School. County Administrator Chad Kinsley explains the breakdown of costs. “So the signal is $15,000 to put in at Green Valley and Nature. It would help with kids going across and citizens throughout the rest of the day. The school (district) is going to contribute half and we would have to…

The Manhattan Fire Department says an early Saturday morning fire caused extensive damage to a home in west Manhattan. Firefighters were dispatched just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday to 120 South Wreath Ave. for a report of the smell of smoke and a carbon monoxide detector going off. Crews found a smoldering fire in an attached garage of a 2-story single-family home. Crews ensured the fire was out and ventilated the structure. The occupants were home at the time, but sustained no injuries. The cause was determined to be accidental due to an aquarium heater in the garage. The fire department…

The executive director of the Flint Hills Regional Council has announced she’s stepping down from the role. Christy Rodriguez submitted her resignation last week after her husband Adrian recently accepted a Vice President position at Texas A&M University similar to that of his former job at K-State. Rodriguez, who had been in the role since May 2020, told KMAN in an email that she recently relocated to Corpus Christi as a result and will continue with FHRC until Dec. 10. She had agreed to continue working with the council through several critical deadlines. The board will begin working on next…

A small fire was quickly extinguished Friday morning at the east Manhattan Dillon’s store, but not before causing a brief evacuation. Upon arrival, light smoke could be seen throughout the building. Crews evacuated the building and found a small fire in the store’s HVAC ductwork that was put out within 20 minutes. No injuries were reported and the store reopened after firefighters cleared the scene. Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes tells KMAN the fire cause was accidental, due to welding being performed on ductwork which sparked the lining of the duct. Loss is estimated at $5,000. Manhattan Fire was assisted…

The City of Manhattan has a new director of the T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter. Bryce Caulk was officially named director Friday after settling into the role the past few weeks. He succeeds Deb Watkins, who left the shelter earlier this year. As director, Caulk is responsible for the operations of the shelter and will oversee the city’s Animal Control Division. He also will act as the official spokesperson for the Animal Service Division and liaison to the public. Before coming to Manhattan, Caulk worked in animal welfare for 16 years and most recently was the Director of the Beatrice…

Kansas State University is extending its deadline for employees to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Rather than Dec. 8, employees now have until Jan. 4 to comply with the federal government’s requirement. The university says those who don’t comply by that deadline will see their employment come to an end on Jan. 9. This came after the federal government provided updated guidance on Nov. 4. The vaccine requirement now applies to employees of corporate entities controlled by the university, including K-State Athletics and the K-State Student Union. K-State Alumni Association and KSU Foundation are not considered to be controlled affiliated…

Manhattan celebrated Veterans Day Thursday, honoring 30 years since the Desert Storm conflict. That’s the 1st Infantry Division Band, one of 125 entries that made the trek from Manhattan Town Center to City Hall ahead of the Ceremony of Honor. All told, there were 1,995 individuals that took part in Thursday’s parade. Other bands that performed Thursday were the Manhattan High School marching band, as well as bands from Junction City, Riley County and Rock Creek High Schools. Following the parade, guests were welcomed into Peace Memorial Auditorium at Manhattan City Hall for the indoor ceremony, which also was given…

A Junction City man was injured Thursday evening following a 3 vehicle crash on I-70, just after 4 p.m.. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 63-year-old Bradley Johnson was westbound, about six miles east of Junction City, when his Lexus rear-ended a Ford F-150 pickup. That truck then rear-ended a Peterbilt tractor. All three vehicles were in the same lane. Johnson sustained a minor injury and was transported to Geary Community Hospital. The crash report says he was not wearing a seat belt. The drivers of the pickup and tractor, both from Texas, did not require hospital trips, with one only…

Kansas State University Police are investigating after a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle this morning near campus. K-State Police were called out at around 9 a.m. to the intersection of Denison Avenue and Platt Street. The pedestrian was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan, and later flown to a Topeka hospital. That person’s condition is unknown. Police have not released the names of those involved. The investigation is ongoing.

Two more Riley County residents have died after recently testing positive for COVID-19. The health department said Wednesday a 61-year-old unvaccinated woman died Nov. 5 after testing positive two-and-a-half weeks earlier. A fully vaccinated 82-year-old man also died Sunday after testing positive just six days earlier. The county has now seen 62 COVID-related deaths. In addition, 120 new positive coronavirus cases were noted in Wednesday’s report. That’s nearly three times as many new cases as was seen last week. It’s also the first time since late September that new cases for a one week period topped over 100. The county…