Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police are investigating an apparent aggravated battery and assault that occurred early Sunday morning at McDonald’s at 4th and Bluemont Ave. Police say a male suspect in the passenger side of a car in the drive thru lane reportedly pulled a gun on a 23-year-old man as he walked by. A separate male suspect, driving the car, hit a 24-year-old woman in the leg as the car fled the area. She refused treatment by EMS on scene. Anyone with information about this incident are asked to call RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Doing so could net…

A Manhattan man is jailed after an apparent knife attack that injured at least one person. The Riley County Police Department says a report was filed Saturday in the area of 9th and Humboldt Street, charging 39-year-old Benjamin Lewis with aggravated battery, aggravated assault and interference with LEO. According to the report, Lewis is alleged to have threatened two male victims with a knife and cut a third victim on the cheek. The third victim, a 58-year-old man was seen by EMS on scene but did not require transport. Lewis was jailed on a $21,000 bond.

A suspect from a 2019 house party brawl where shots were fired has been brought into custody from out of state. According to the Riley County Police Department, 30-year-old Travell Hairston of Sacramento, California, was extradited to the Riley County Jail Sunday and arrested for two failure to appear warrants. One of those is connected to the Sept. 15, 2019 incident in the 1300 block of Fremont Street in Manhattan. Hairston is alleged to have fired a gun inside a home during a house party. The other warrant is tied to a February 2020 arrest for distribution charges. Hairston was…

A popular Aggieville restaurant is closing its doors. HCI Hospitality announced Saturday that Coco Bolos Wood Fire Grill and Cantina will close later this month after losing its lease. The last day of operations is Jan. 22. Coco Bolos has been a staple of the Aggieville area since its opening in November of 1998. “Coco Bolos has been a destination for so many in the area and those returning to Manhattan for a visit. It’s been an honor to serve Manhattan and to be a small part of this community. We thank everyone for their support over the years,” said…

Parents of preschoolers in Manhattan are scrambling to find childcare this week after USD 383 announced a one-week shift to remote learning at College Hill Early Learning Center due to a surge in quarantines tied to COVID-19. A letter sent to parents late Friday stated that 70 percent of the building’s students are currently in quarantine or have been identified as close contacts. The district says a number of staff also tested positive for COVID recently. The building will remain closed through Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, reopening on Tuesday, Jan. 18. College Hill currently houses around 200 plus preschool…

Fort Riley has announced it’s standing up a COVID testing site at the Irwin Army Community Hospital starting Monday. The hospital will offer drive thru rapid, antigen testing weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m. for symptomatic beneficiaries only. It is located on the hospital’s ground floor parking structure. Testing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It will remain open until further notice and will be closed during federal and training holidays. Active duty personnel must visit their respective soldier centered medical homes for testing and cannot use the site. DoD civilians who are not beneficiaries must consult with their…

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce has announced next week’s Flint Hills Regional Leaders Retreat in Manhattan, has been postponed due to rising public health concerns surrounding Covid-19. Chamber President Jason Smith tells KMAN they have every intention of still having the retreat. He says the Chamber and its partners, do not want to contribute to the growing concern. The retreat was initially scheduled for Jan. 13 and 14. Instead, organizers will look to hold the event sometime this spring. Those who have registered will be notified when a reschedule date is announced. Chamber members wishing for a refund can…

School district officials are looking into what caused a pipe to break Monday at Oliver Brown Elementary School. During his update to the school board Wednesday, Assistant USD 383 Superintendent Eric Reid noted the incident happened during in-service. Fortunately people were in the building at the time to respond. USD 383 Maintenance Director Matt Davis says crews sucked out around 450 gallons of water from the library by late Monday. Reid says a damage estimate is pending. Reid credited first year principal Erin Lopez and her staff for pivoting from professional development to clean up mode during Monday’s in service…

Riley County recently received a grant from the Department of Justice to start a new drug court program. The $550,000 grant was awarded to Riley County Community Corrections Dec. 9. It essentially creates an alternative to incarceration for criminal or juvenile offenders and parents with pending child welfare cases who have alcohol and other drug dependency problems become and remain sober. The goal of the program is recovery so as to reduce future criminal activity. Drug court participants are required to abstain from substance use, to be accountable for their behavior, and to fulfill the legal responsibilities of the offenses…

Classified hourly staff at USD 383 will receive a one-time retention bonus payment after action by the school board Wednesday. Employees who worked from Aug. 18 to Dec. 3 will receive $1 per hour for all hours worked during that time. Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid says the district will leverage federal ESSER funds to do so. The bonus applies to classified staff that continue to work in the district. It doesn’t apply to leave time or vacation. Board member Darell Edie expressed gratitude toward those employees. Employees will receive their payments later in January. The retention pay salary will cost a…