Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police are increasing patrols around Bluemont Elementary School after some students there were reportedly approached by an unknown individual asking kids to get into the vehicle. Bluemont Principal Beth Neitzel said in an emailed statement to parents that the incident in question occurred Wednesday but noted the children involved did the right thing and ran to a nearby trusted adult who called police. Neitzel said all of the children are safe. RCPD is investigating and have increased patrols as a result of the incident. “It’s something at this point is as I believe is probably more of an…

Two of Riley County’s longest serving elected officials are seeking another term this fall. Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo became the latest local candidate to file for re-election this week and will seek an unprecedented eighth term, having held office since 1997. “There’s definitely an end in site,” Vargo joked Thursday morning in an interview with KMAN. Even with 27 years on the job, Vargo says there are still things he enjoys about the day-to-day of being Riley County’s top administrator. “That’s what I really enjoy is the budgetary, the tax roll financial aspects of the position and Riley County…

A Manhattan man is accused of setting a fire inside a hotel Wednesday morning. The Riley County Police Department says a call for a fire alarm was reported just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. RCPD officers and Manhattan Fire Department firefighters responded and located an activated sprinkler head on the building’s fourth floor. Fire investigators determined an unknown item was ignited causing the sprinkler to activate. Fire loss is estimated at $500 with the area also sustaining significant water damage. Police arrested 32-year-old Gerry Phillips on a charge of aggravated…

The new director of the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (ECODEVO) has hit the ground running in her first three months on the job. Shanna Goodman, of Wamego, was hired in January to succeed long-time former director Jack Allston, who retired in late 2023 after nine years on the job. She says the first three months on the job have been spent learning and understanding who’s who among organizations and their priorities. She says she’s been set up for success already getting to understand the Pott County 2040 Comprehensive Plan. “Even the first section of that document talks about preserving…

Manhattan-Ogden school officials are responding after a district email was compromised Wednesday morning as part of an apparent phishing scam. District administrators sent out a notification to parents and staff through its district wide communications app, noting the suspicious email was sent out to district staff and student accounts, though not all staff and students received the email. The email states information about individual assistance provided by a nonprofit organization that email subscribers can take advantage of. Once the link is clicked, the user and scammer then have a conversation about the potential “job offer,” and proceeds to ask for…

No injuries were reported after a rollover crash involving a box truck Wednesday morning on the east edge of Alma. According to Wabaunsee County Undersheriff Eric Kirsch, the crash was reported around 7:15 a.m. at K-99 and East 8th Street. The driver sustained no injuries but had to be extricated from the vehicle. Kirsch says there were no signs of impairment. The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. The crash was one of two noninjury crashes reported in Wabaunsee County Wednesday. Officers also responded to a truck and trailer rollover crash on K-4 near Eskridge, but…

Three people are in custody on a slew of drug related charges. The Riley County Police Department says 37-year-old Ryan Inglett, of Manhattan, and 38-year-old Amy Roth, of Paxico, were both arrested early Wednesday morning at a Manhattan motel in connection to drug distribution, burglary, possession and interference charges. Inglett’s bond was set at $31,000. Roth’s bond was set at $73,750. Police also noted that 22-year-old Macaiah Anderson, of Manhattan, was arrested Tuesday in the 3000 block of Kimball Ave. on three counts of distributing opiates within 1,000 feet of a school. Anderson’s bond was set at $50,000. All three…

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a major foreign aid package which includes a provision that could lead to a ban on TikTok, ending a lengthy gridlock between the House and Senate. CBS News reports the package includes $61 billion for Ukraine and $26 billion for Israel. The legislation also includes a measure that would force the sale of TikTok within a year or an outright ban of the app in the U.S. The Kansas Senate delegation remains split over the issue aid package. Sen. Jerry Moran supported the aid package. “It is vital for the United States to be…

Riley County Police are investigating a case of animal cruelty after a cat was shot by an arrow over the weekend in rural Riley County. The report was filed Monday afternoon in the 6000 block of Tuttle Terrace. Police say staff from the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine reported to officers that the cat was brought in Saturday evening around 9 p.m. Veterinarians aided the feline who has made a recovery and is now housed in the animal shelter. Police have not identified a potential suspect. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

Riley County Emergency Medical Services officials broke ground Monday on its new headquarters facility. The new 15,000 square foot space will likely be operational by mid-summer of next year. “We’re hoping July 2025 is when it should be completed,” said David Adams, Riley County EMS Director. Adams says it’s exciting to finally be at this point in the process. “This has been 29 years in the making and as we were going through the process it kept going next step, next step, next step. Now we’re at the big step. To have that groundbreaking, to see them starting to the work it…