Author: Brandon Peoples

New COVID cases dropped somewhat in Riley County over the past week, but hospitalizations remain fairly steady. Nine positive patients were hospitalized in Manhattan Thursday with at least four being treated in the ICU. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says most of the hospitalizations involve those who have not been vaccinated. The health department is planning vaccine clinics over the weekend, including one Saturday at Manhattan Town Center. The other will take place at Little Apple Brewing Company from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday where the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be administered. Those who get vaccinated will…

One person was killed Thursday in a fiery crash on I-70 in Dickinson County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says an eastbound Chevy Equinox crossed the center line and struck a westbound semi truck head on shortly before 12:30 p.m. According to Trooper Ben Gardner, the crash happened around mile marker 284, near Chapman. The driver of the Equinox, identified as 34-year-old Ryan Pack of Abilene, was pronounced dead on scene. The semi driver was not injured but his truck was destroyed. The crash caused a closure of the interstate for several hours while crews investigated.

Riley County Police are investigating an apparent carjacking Wednesday morning. Officers say a 54-year-old man reported he was sitting in his car shortly before 9 a.m. in the 1100 block of Fremont Street when three unknown suspects threatened him with a gun, took his wallet, keys and his silver 1998 Buick Regal. The total loss is estimated at approximately $600. Officers with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office located the car shortly before 2 p.m. Thursday, abandoned at an intersection in Pottawatomie County. No further information was provided by RCPD. Anyone with information is asked to contact RCPD or the Manhattan…

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says it will proceed with its sixth annual Governor’s Summit on Agricultural Growth Aug. 26, but as a virtual event only. Organizers say they shifted from initial plans to have the summit in person in Manhattan because of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases. KDA says it’s prepared to pivot plans to an all online event, which may allow for a larger attendance than if it were held in person. Registration is available at agriculture.ks.gov/summit. An adjusted agenda will be made available on the website.

Governor Laura Kelly spoke with News Radio KMAN this week during an exclusive interview heard Wednesday on KMAN’s In Focus. COVID-19 Governor Kelly says she shares frustrations of Kansans upset with the return of COVID restrictions after it appeared the state had turned a corner on the pandemic just a few months ago. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, as of Wednesday, nearly 50 percent of all Kansans have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 43 percent have received both shots. Gov. Kelly says she hopes to see that threshold push higher in…

A Manhattan man accused in an October double homicide appeared in Riley County District Court this week. According to Deputy Riley County Attorney Trinity Muth, Monday’s hearing was a status conference for 21-year-old Montrell Vassar, the second one in less than a month. Muth tells KMAN, another hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 19 where it’s anticipated Vassar will attempt to fire his counsel. The state and the defense had previously been trying to work out potential trial dates following guidance from the Supreme Court back in May.  At this point, no trial date has been set. Vassar is charged…

Updated as of 11 a.m. Wednesday Junction City Police and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a threat made against Spring Valley Elementary School Wednesday morning. According to a release from JCPD Chief John Lamb, the threat was posted on social media and police immediately evacuated students and staff from the building upon learning of the threat. Police asked the public to avoid the area of the school while the investigation continued. An interior and exterior sweep of the building turned up no substantiated threats. Supervisors on scene said they believed there was no danger to any students or…

Three months ago, following the end of perhaps the most unusual school year in recent times, masks were coming off, restrictions were being lifted and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed in sight. School administrators now though are wrestling with the harsh reality of a continuation of restrictions, due to rising COVID numbers, fueled by the more contagious Delta variant. For how long restrictions will be in place is anyone’s guess. Vaccination statuses won’t matter in the districts with mandates in place. Students under the age of 12 aren’t eligible for vaccines, further complicating decisions for school officials not…

Courtesy K-State Research & Extension MANHATTAN, Kan. – Representatives of two state organizations said that current programs are making headway in addressing Kansas’ looming housing crisis. “We know there are people who are unsheltered across the state and we know that many people are facing evictions,” said Ryan Vincent, the executive director of the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, a nonprofit corporation that administers housing and community programs. Vincent was a featured speaker Aug. 6 during K-State Research and Extension’s monthly online series, First Friday e-Calls, which helps to nurture small businesses and inspire entrepreneurship in Kansas. He said that current statistics indicate…

The superintendent of schools in Geary County will be in place for another three years. USD 475 school board members voted Aug. 2 to extend Dr. Reginald Eggleston’s contract for three years, the maximum length allowed by Kansas statute. According to a district release, the decision was based on results of Dr. Eggleston’s leadership in keeping the schools open during the previous school year, despite the pandemic. He’s also credited with the district’s financial stability, partnerships with Fort Riley and Cloud County Community College and the opening of the new Junction City High School Aug. 25, according to Board Vice…