Author: Brandon Peoples

Pottawatomie County officials say over $71,000 was paid to hackers following a September ransomware attack, which compromised the county’s IT systems. That’s down from the apparent $1 million the county says was initially demanded. It includes $71,250 paid to the threat actor and $356.25 in exchange fees to facilitate the cyber currency payment. The funds were paid out of the county’s General Fund and a substantial portion will be refunded by the county’s self-insurance pool. County Commissioner Pat Weixelman explains why the county ultimately chose to make the payment. Weixelman says it was the commission that gave County Administrator Chad Kinsley the green light…

DICKINSON COUNTY — An 18-year-old is dead following a crash Friday afternoon in Dickinson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says just before 12:30 p.m., Javier Fuentes, of Junction City, was driving southbound on Hwy 56, about 3 miles south of Herington when, for an unknown reason, his Honda Accord drifted to the left, crossed the centerline and went into the east ditch. The crash report says the vehicle then swerved back to the right and into the northbound lanes, directly in front of an oncoming semi truck. Both vehicles collided almost head on. Fuentes died on scene. The crash report…

Pottawatomie County officials are slowly restoring computer systems and machines following a Sept. 17 ransomware attack that encrypted multiple servers. The county was able to reach a resolution by paying less than 10 percent of the hacker’s original demands. The final settlement wasn’t disclosed. In a news release Friday, County Administrator Chad Kinsley said the ransom was reduced by “more than 90 percent from the hackers’ original demand, an almost unheard-of outcome, every saved dollar which is taxpayer revenue the county keeps to serve our citizens.” KMAN has filed an open records request to determine the specific amount paid to…

A Randolph man was killed and four family members were injured in a Thursday night vehicle crash in rural Clay County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says a Dodge Durango driven by 51-year-old Kevin Dettmer was eastbound on 30th Road near Valley View Road, roughly 8 miles north of the town of Green. It happened just after 9 p.m. The crash report says the driver swerved to avoid a cardboard box in the roadway. The vehicle over corrected and struck a bridge pillar. Dettmer was pronounced dead on scene. His wife Kyra and three children, aged 11, 8 and 5 sustained…

Kansas 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann recognized late Kansas State University ag economics professor Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh on the House floor Wednesday. Representative Mann says he was one of the 5,000 students who took Flinchbaugh’s class at K-State, the best class he remembers taking. Mann says Flinchbaugh’s expertise led him to meet every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. Flinchbaugh’s impact on Kansas agricultural policy extended several decades and he was well respected by those who knew him. Flinchbaugh died last November at age 78. A celebration of life for Dr. Flinchbaugh will take place at 9:30 a.m.…

Preliminary enrollment numbers released by the Kansas Board of Regents Thursday show a 3 percent overall enrollment decrease at Kansas State University. Total enrollment is 20,229 for the fall semester compared to 20,854 one year ago, a decline of over 600 students. It’s still better than the 4 percent dip seen last year during the early to middle stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those numbers include increases in transfer students, up 8 percent over a year ago. The K-State Salina campus, graduate student as well as new international freshmen and graduate student enrollment all saw modest gains. Online enrollment also…

A new staff member will soon be coming on board to the USO Kansas Program and Center at Fort Riley. Executive Director Mark Claussen spoke Wednesday about Farley, a service dog trained to identify people who are anxious, depressed, or struggling with other mental health issues. USO has partnered with Kansas City based nonprofit Warriors’ Best Friend, which trains service dogs for disabled veterans. The organization has expanded the program to provide facility dogs. The organization utilizes shelter pets that have been identified as having capabilities to pick up on these types of issues among people. It in turn gives…

UPDATE as of Tuesday late afternoon According to the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, a search of the area east of Tuttle Creek State Park, for a man wanted for fleeing and eluding, burglary and theft was called off late Tuesday afternoon. Officers searched for a white male who led authorities on a brief pursuit Tuesday morning, crashed a stolen vehicle, then fled on foot from the 7000 block of Chinkapin Circle. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact detectives at the Pottawatomie County Sheriffs Office at 785-457-3353 or leave a tip via our crimestoppers link at www.ptsheriff.com.…

Wamego High School students had a rare day off from school Tuesday due to a power outage. Interim Superintendent Greg Mann in a Facebook post detailed that an electrical transformer failed. No other schools were affected. Power was restored before noon Tuesday, but school officials opted to keep the high school closed for the remainder of the day. The district is planning a normal school day Wednesday.

Pottawatomie County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to approve changes to the county’s Unified Development Regulations. One of the biggest changes to the regulations is the removal of a one year waiting period for Planning Commissioners following a second term. Commissioner Dee McKee was opposed. County Planner Stephan Metzger says in the past 20 years, only about half of the planning commissioners finished out their first two terms before seeing some overturn. In addition, the application of regulations was changed to significantly limit the amount of uses that are entirely exempt from county regulations. The usages that remain are for agricultural…