Author: Brandon Peoples

A 79-year-old man was brought into custody Wednesday and now faces charges after allegedly pointing a gun at an officer, which led to a standoff in the 1000 block of Bluemont Ave. According to the Riley County Police Department, an officer was out with a person experiencing a mental health crisis. The officer was approached by Stanley Hoerman, who was uninvolved, and proceeded to point a gun at the officer. Additional officers were called out and the person originally engaged with the officer was placed in a nearby patrol car for their own safety. Hoerman was also arrested on Dec.…

Strong winds knocked down the 68 foot tall Festival of Lights Christmas tree in Blue Earth Plaza Wednesday. Organizers worked to secure the tree, tucking in the top of the tree into its base to keep it from being further damaged. They were working to get all of the electronics out of the elements before any severe weather hit. Many of the metal bars inside the tree were visibly damaged. It’s unclear the extent of the damage and it’s also unclear how soon the tree can be put back together. A Tornado Watch has been issued for Riley County until…

A 20-year-old Fort Riley soldier is in custody in connection to Sunday’s early morning shooting at Tate’s Bar in Aggieville. The Riley County Police Department says Joshua Cummings was arrested without incident Tuesday afternoon, with assistance from Fort Riley officials. Cummings is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery. Public Information Officer Aaron Wintermote says Cummings is being held in the Riley County Jail in lieu of bond, pending his first court appearance. Two 24-year-old men, including K-State football player Reed Godinet, were injured in the shooting. RCPD continues to investigate and are asking anyone with information, pictures…

Extreme fire danger is in place for the Flint Hills for the next 24 hours as a deep low pressure system develops Wednesday which will generate high winds area wide. The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a high wind warning in effect 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday with red flag warnings in effect noon to 9 p.m. for very strong southerly winds of 30 to 40 mph. Wind gusts up to 70 mph are expected and that could snap tree limbs, blow over power lines and make difficult driving conditions, especially along Interstate 70. Couple that with…

A new scam, involving a person posing as a police officer, is circulating in the area and it’s already cost one resident $2,000. The Riley County Police Department says it recently responded to a citizen deceived by the fake cop into sending them money over the phone using MoneyPak to bond a friend out of jail. MoneyPak is used to deposit cash to a Green Dot prepaid card. It’s a common tactic used by scammers to bilk money from unsuspecting individuals. RCPD says officers will never contact residents to request bond money. That is always handled through a bondsman or…

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Junction City Animal Shelter are investigating two deceased dogs found about a week apart in the Burley Hill area, south of Junction City. The first was found Nov. 26 and the second on Dec. 6, both with gunshot wounds. The two dogs were described as a black and tan shepherd mix and a chocolate lab. Anyone with information is urged to call the shelter at 785-238-1359 or the Geary County Sheriff’s Office at 785-238-2261.

The Flint Hills Regional Council recently voted to increase membership fees from 60 cents per-capita to 90 cents per-capita in a move to help sustain the organization in the future and repay some of its debts. Pottawatomie County Administrator Chad Kinsley says he does not support the measure, as it would increase the county’s contributions by more than double. Previously the county has paid around $5,800 annually based on 2010 census figures. The new fees are calculated on 2020 census data, and would cost the county just under $13,000. Commissioner Dee McKee, the county’s representative on the council, says while…

An Ohio man, who earlier this year pleaded guilty in federal court to calling in a threat to Lee Elementary School two years ago, has been sentenced to five years in prison. Online court records show 20-year-old Allen Kenna, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court to 60 months on the charge of interstate communication of threats. He’s also charged federally with attempted use of an explosive device for an incident previously in his home state. Chief Judge Patricia Gaughan, of the Northern District of Ohio presided in the case. Kenna called in hoax threat to…

A 12-year-old Manhattan-Ogden student is in custody in connection to a suspicious chat on the social media app Discord. The Riley County Police Department says investigators found no evidence the student planned on, made an effort, or had the means to ever carry out a violent act at Eisenhower Middle School or in the community. Charges against the student are pending. Identifying information is being withheld due to the child’s age. Police began investigating a possible threat against the school Wednesday night after it became aware of a suspicious message shared on the social media platform. The message did not…

One person was injured Wednesday in a crash north of Manhattan. According to the Riley County Police Department an SUV and a minivan were involved in a t-bone crash just before 6 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of North Seth Child Road and Marlatt Ave. Police say 62-year-old Margaret Shykes, of Junction City, was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital for treatment of a neck injury. The other driver, 31-year-old Kayla Lemmon, of Manhattan, had no listed injuries, according to the report. The police department says more details about the crash will be forthcoming.