Author: Brandon Peoples

One person was killed Thursday morning in a weather-related two-vehicle crash in Pottawatomie County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 9 a.m on Highway 13, east of the Tuttle Creek dam. The accident led to a nearly five hour closure of the highway between Dyer and Westmoreland Roads. Heavy rains fell in the area Thursday morning. According to the patrol’s online crash report, 22-year-old Owen Uhrmacher, of Shawnee was southbound when his SUV hydroplaned. The vehicle crossed the center line and was struck by a northbound cargo van driven by 39-year-old Jarrod Kirby, of Westmoreland. Uhrmacher died…

A former Junction City High School athletic trainer has entered a no-contest plea in Geary County District Court to a single count of sexual exploitation of a child. Online court documents show Brandon Martino entered the plea at a Tuesday arraignment hearing and was subsequently found guilty by Judge Michael Powers. In exchange for Martino’s plea, prosecutors agreed to dismiss a second sexual exploitation count as well as two counts of promoting obscenity. Earlier this month, the Kansas Board of Healing Arts suspended Martino’s license after a patient under the age of 18 alleged he received explicit text messages from…

Pottawatomie County commissioners have set a hearing date next month to review the 2022 budget and discuss the revenue neutral rate. Assistant County Administrator and finance officer Heather Gladbach, reviewed the draft budget how it compares to the 2021 budget. Gladbach explains why the county will exceed its revenue neutral rate in 2022. The $1.7 million transfer from the general fund into the special highway fund will help support future road and bridge improvement projects. The hearing will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 23. You can view the draft plan on the Pottawatomie County website.

A GoFundMe page has been established for a local woman struck by a car while walking in a crosswalk July 7 along Poyntz Ave. Courtney Thompson was transported to Ascension Via Christi in Manhattan and later life-flighted to the hospital’s Trauma Center in Topeka with multiple injuries including four pelvic fractures, three spinal fractures and fractures to both legs in addition to head contusions and multiple organ contusions. None of the injuries were said to be life threatening. As of Wednesday morning, friends and family had raised over $2,100 for the single mother of two. The fundraising goal is set…

A Manhattan man was arrested Monday after police say he injured a woman and stole a vehicle. Officers from the Riley County Police Department charged 18-year-old Luke Johnson with domestic battery, criminal damage to property, criminal restraint, criminal deprivation of property and theft. Police allege Johnson injured a 19-year-old female, damaged her shirt and necklace, restrained her then stole a 2013 Ford Fusion and an iPhone. The vehicle was later recovered. Officers also listed a 47-year-old male victim in the report. Johnson was issued a total bond of $8,000 and was no longer confined as of Tuesday’s arrest report.

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce has announced finalists for its upcoming 2021 Business Awards Luncheon. Awards are handed out in five categories. The Tourism Development Award finalists include the Midwest Dream Car Museum, Whoville, Inc. (the nonprofit that oversees the annual Festival of Lights) and Wildwood Adventure Park. The Small Business of the Year finalists include Arthur-Green LLP, Borck Brothers and Prairiewood Preserve. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award finalists include owners of Manhattan Brewing Company; Thera-Pie and Weddle & Sons. The Women/Minority Owned Business Award finalists include G. Thomas Jewelers, Loving Arms Daycare and Steve’s Floral. One local business will also receive the coveted Cornerstone…

Tuesday is the final day to get registered if you plan to vote in the August 3 primary. The Riley County Clerk’s office, inside the Riley County Office Building is the place to get that done. Advance voting by mail and in person at the Clerk’s office begins on Wednesday, and continues through noon on Aug. 2. The Clerk’s office will offer Saturday voting on July 31 between 8 a.m. and noon. Otherwise the Clerk’s office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Initially there were 10 candidates for the USD 383 school board race, prompting a primary. There…

Wamego Health Center has received another sizable donation to help upgrade equipment or facilities. The hospital’s foundation announced Friday that the Dick and Pinky Barker Estate gave a generous final gift of about $30,000 to help with future endeavors. The Barkers had previously given the foundation an initial $300,000 gift in 2013 to begin the renovation and expansion of the health center. Both were avid supporters of the facility and Dick was a long-standing hospital board member. Their contributions have resulted in the expansion of the emergency room and updated patient rooms at the Wamego Health Center, as well as…

Pottawatomie County Commissioners heard Monday from Wamego City Manager Stacie Eichem regarding the process of the Sheriff’s Office transitioning 911 dispatch service from the Wamego Police Department. During the June 28 meeting, county commissioner Greg Riat proposed the city work a cost share agreement with the county to transition those services, with $120,000 to be paid out in 2022 and $60,000 in 2023. Eichem told commissioners Monday that isn’t feasible with the dispatch’s current budget, which is $200,000 annually. The move essentially brings all dispatchers under one umbrella in the county. The county began taking overnight calls from Wamego in…

Pottawatomie County officials appear to be pumping the brakes on developing solar regulations, at least temporarily. Members of both the county commission and planning commission agreed during a joint meeting Thursday, to pause the development of regulations. County Planner Stephan Metzger tells KMAN there are several components to the draft plan which have caused hesitation among county officials. There are also concerns from ag producers on disrupting some of the natural elements of the region. Metzger explains what’s attracting solar companies to Pottawatomie County. At least two solar companies are interested in expanding their operations into the county. They will…