Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

There is no school Thursday at the Riley County Grade School after storm damage was reported late Wednesday evening. A damage estimate is pending from school officials. Superintendent Cliff Williams tells KMAN that an HVAC unit blew over on the roof. The high school will remain open as scheduled. Elsewhere, Manhattan Area Technical College is also closed Thursday but will continue with remote classes only. USD 322 Onaga Schools are cancelled and USD 473 Chapman is operating on a two hour delay. The Manhattan-Ogden School Board canceled its Wednesday meeting. They have rescheduled to Monday.

The Flint Hills were dominated by strong winds and heavy rain Wednesday which knocked out power, trees and caused widespread damage across the region. In Manhattan, a number of traffic signals and intersections were down, due to storm and wind damage. Thousands across Riley, Geary and Pottawatomie County have experienced power outages. According to Evergy officials, no estimate could be provided as to when power might be restored, due to the extent of storms statewide. The 600 block of Houston Street and 900 block of Ratone Street will remain closed until sometime Thursday as city officials say large trees were…

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…