Author: Brandon Peoples

Authorities are investigating after a gunshot was heard in the Aggieville area early Sunday morning. The Riley County Police Department says officers monitoring crowds heard a gunshot in close proximity to the 1100 block of Moro Street, just before 2 a.m. and responded to a nearby walkway. While investigating the matter, officers observed two vehicles leaving the scene. Police say one of the cars sped off, while the driver of the other car was successfully detained without incident. Investigating officers located a spent shell casing in the area, but say no injuries were reported. The second vehicle that fled was…

(This is the first of a two-part news series into research being stood up at the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility.)  Nearly a year after officials cut the ribbon on the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility (NBAF), science has started within the facility. In an interview with KMAN this week, NBAF Deputy Director Dr. Ken Burton said those activities are moving forward in phases, beginning with the lowest risk common science practices, with research to ramp up to more advanced, mission focused science later on. “Scientific activities at NBAF are at what’s called a biosafety level 1 and 2,…

Severe storms pushed through the Flint Hills Saturday afternoon, bringing strong wind gusts that led to power outages and other hazards. Tornado warnings were issued in Riley and Clay counties around 1 p.m., eventually moving through northern Pottawatomie County. Fortunately there were no reports of touchdowns in the area, though strong winds, ranging from 60-70 mph were noted after the storms, created by a “wake low,” or a mesoscale low-pressure area which trails the mesoscale high following a squall line. The National Weather Service says a 76 mph wind gust was reported around 3 p.m. at the Manhattan Regional Airport.…

Severe thunderstorms are likely to move across the Manhattan area Saturday and could pack quite a punch. The Storm Prediction Center has placed of the eastern half of Kansas, including Manhattan, in an enhanced (level 3) risk for severe storm development throughout the afternoon and evening. Storms will be capable of producing very large hail over two inches in diameter, damaging winds around 70 mph and dangerous tornadoes. According to the National Weather Service, the risk for severe weather increases after 2 p.m. and will continue through the evening hours. Locally heavy rainfall may also lead to flash flooding in…

A Manhattan man is behind bars after leading authorities on a pursuit on the Kansas Turnpike, in a kidnapping investigation. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Riley County Police Department requested assistance Friday morning locating 26-year-old Jonathan Maldonado, who was reported as being armed and traveling eastbound on Interstate 70. The victim in the case had already escaped and was safe when the call came in. Troopers were able to locate Maldonado at the Topeka Service Center on the Kansas Turnpike but he then fled toward Kansas City. Stop sticks were deployed near Kansas City and Maldonado was eventually…

State Rep. Kenny Titus is seeking a new position in the Kansas Legislature this fall. The Manhattan Republican, representing the 51st district, announced on Friday his candidacy for the 18th district Senate seat, just hours after Sen. Kristen O’Shea (R-Topeka) announced on the Senate floor she would not be seeking re-election. The re-drawn legislative maps, which take effect in 2025, show the 18th district, will include all of Pottawatomie County, making Titus eligible to seek the office. The Senate district also encompasses parts of Shawnee and Jefferson counties. In a Friday statement, Titus, who is in his first term in…

Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is seeking a spot in Congress. Schmidt, who most recently ran as the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, announced on Friday his candidacy for the Republican nomination in Kansas’ Second Congressional District, which locally encompasses Junction City and Wabaunsee County. “My family and I are grateful for the many friends and neighbors who have reached out to let us know they believe we have more to offer Kansas,” said Schmidt. “I feel a calling to serve, so I am excited to announce that I am running. I strongly believe that America needs more…

Authorities are searching for clues after report of a stolen trailer and truck earlier this month, east of Manhattan. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office says a report was filed April 17 in the 9000 block of U.S. Highway 24. The theft reportedly occurred sometime over the last few months. The trailer is described as a 2020 Titan utility bumper pull that is 21 feet long with a black frame and wood decking. In a separate incident, the Sheriff’s Office says a truck was also reported stolen on April 22 in the 8000 block of U.S. Highway 24. It’s believed the…

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…