Author: Brandon Peoples

Fresh out of quarantine, C. Clyde Jones is celebrating Tuesday, his 99th birthday. The Manhattan philanthropist typically celebrates with a big birthday get together each year, but had to cancel plans for a party this past Saturday after testing positive. He received recognition Monday during the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation’s Community Hour, heard on KMAN. Retired USD 383 Director of Theatre Linda Uthoff sang with Clyde one of his favorite tunes, via Zoom from her home in Iowa. Jones is already making plans to celebrate his 100th birthday with a party, albeit a few months early, in June. Jones was…

A 67-year-old Manhattan man convicted on more than two dozen counts of child sex abuse was sentenced earlier this month and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. At a sentencing hearing in Riley County District Court on Dec. 6, Alan Ingwersen was sentenced by Judge Grant Bannister to 155 months on five counts of rape as well as 155 months on four counts of aggravated criminal sodomy. He also was sentenced to 41 months on eight counts of aggravated indecent liberties. Per the double rule, which caps the maximum sentence to two times the length of…

A Manhattan woman was jailed over the weekend after allegedly assaulting another woman in the head with a toaster. The Riley County Police Department filed a report Saturday for aggravated battery and domestic battery, charging 21-year-old Lakesha Randolph in the incident. An 18-year-old woman, identified in an online criminal complaint as a family member, was listed as the victim. Randolph was arrested in connection for aggravated battery and remains jailed on a $5,000 total bond.

Geary County officials say water levels are nearing normal operational levels within the system across Junction City and surrounding communities. The Emergency Operations Center held a briefing at 11 a.m. where it was noted that all households receiving water from the Junction City Water Treatment Plant should have running water by this point. That said, a boil advisory remains in effect through Tuesday from KDHE to ensure the water is safe for consumption. That advisory could be lifted before then, depending on when testing is completed. All business and industrial facilities have been cleared to reopen, including car washes and…

The hunt for the G. Thomas Jewelers, Godfrey’s Ranges and Tactical Supply Jingle Bell Rock came to an end Friday, wrapping up another year of the annual Manhattan Broadcasting Company holiday contest tradition. This year’s winners, Desiree and Michael Mulleneaux ,found the rock in Manhattan’s Warner Memorial Park. The Mulleneauxs determined from the clues that Stagg Hill was the starting point for the hunt and determined that the park was a natural green for its disc golf course, referring to another clue stating an elf’s favorite color being green. This is the first time the Mulleneauxs have found the rock…

Carriage rides are continuing this weekend in Blue Earth Plaza, the final weekend they will be offered. Rides will resume from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Organizers canceled the event for Friday, due to wind damage at the Festival of Lights Wednesday, which also damaged some of the light features, including the 68 foot lighted Christmas tree. Crews were seen disassembling the tree Friday and putting it away for the remainder of the holiday season, along with the lighted tunnel. Donations to Whoville, Inc., the organizers of the annual light show in Manhattan, can be made through…

Junction City officials are continuing to work to make repairs to its water treatment plant after electrical issues led to hundreds of thousands of gallons of water flooding the plant’s basement this week, following Wednesday’s weather event. In a joint press briefing Friday morning at the Geary County Emergency Operation Center, it was announced that work is ongoing and that officials are optimistic the water can be restored by this evening. That said, a boil advisory will continue for Junction City and surrounding communities until Kansas Department of Health and Environment officials can confirm the water is safe for consumption.…

Riley County health officials identified 139 new COVID-19 cases and 116 additional recoveries in its latest weekly report out Thursday. The health department says there are now 170 active cases in the county, with Ascension Via Christi caring for eight COVID-positive patients, five of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit. All but one of the eight patients are unvaccinated. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says in addition, they are seeing an increase in flu cases and says anyone who is symptomatic will likely be tested by their physician for both COVID-19 and influenza to ensure appropriate treatment. She encourages…

A former Manhattan Parks & Recreation supervisor will be sentenced early next year after entering a no contest plea Thursday to two charges of sexual exploitation of a child. Both are level five felonies. Zach Bayless appeared in front of Pottawatomie County Judge Jeff Elder where he entered the plea alongside his attorney, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. County Attorney Sherri Schuck testified that investigators found Bayless downloaded and shared an image of an 11-13 year old girl in a state of undress using the social media app Kik. Investigators received a cyber tip and were able to…

Charges have been upgraded for the suspect in an early Sunday morning shooting at Tate’s Bar in Aggieville. Judge Kendra Lewison on Wednesday upgraded charges against 20-year-old Joshua Cummings to attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery. Cummings had his first court appearance Wednesday via Zoom. At that hearing, the Manhattan Mercury reported that Deputy Riley County Attorney David Lowden told the judge that Cummings fired five shots from a revolver inside the bar. Two bullets hit 24-year-old K-State football player Reed Godinet, in his jaw and abdomen. During his Wednesday press conference, K-State football coach Chris Klieman…