Author: Brandon Peoples

Kansans safely disposed of nearly 57 tons of personal documents as part of National Consumer Protection Week. Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Monday that more than 2,600 residents dropped off close to 114,000 pounds of documents at 10 locations, including Manhattan’s CiCo Park between March 1 and March 6. It eclipses the 2016 records which saw more than 2,100 consumers take part and dispose of over 50 tons of documents. The disposal helps keep secure information out of the hands of identity thieves, a rapidly growing crime affecting millions across the country. K-State Credit Union of Manhattan was one of…

Pottawatomie County commissioners revisited talks on solar farm zoning regulations Monday. Commission Chair Greg Riat motioned, and Vice Chair Pat Weixelman seconded temporarily suspending commercial solar farms until zoning regulations are adopted or six months has passed. Solar companies have been exploring land parcels as potential sites in Pottawatomie County. Riat says initially, one company was offering farmers around $600 per acre, but says the price has since risen substantially. But because no rules are currently in place governing solar farms, it’s unclear how and if the county can take advantage of a hot market. “If there is any pressure,…

Riley County health officials say two additional COVID positive patients have died. The patients were both females, aged 69 and 80. The 69-year-old tested positive Jan. 7. The 80-year-old tested positive Jan. 19. Both women passed away March 10. Their deaths bring the total COVID-related deaths in Riley County to 35. The health department says nine additional positive cases and 14 more recoveries have been identified since its previous report last week. Ascension Via Christi is caring for two positive patients, but currently has no COVID-positive patients in the Intensive Care Unit. There are 53 active cases. The county has…

Members of the Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force met via Zoom Thursday. (Screenshot) Nearly 1 in 5 Riley County residents have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. As of Friday, more than 5,800 were fully vaccinated and an additional 5,800 receiving their first shot. Riley County Public Information Officer Alice Massimi addressed members of the Manhattan Area Recovery Task Force Thursday. “These are individuals that have been vaccinated by Riley County Health Department or our partners at Stone Creek, Lafene and others because we have given them some of our allotment we have received from KDHE,” she…

Local schools are out next week for spring break and for USD 323 it’s likely a welcome relief as the Kansas Department of Transportation begins work on a major bridge replacement on Hwy 24 near St. George. KDOT plans to begin the bridge replacement east of the Blackjack Road interchange Tuesday, which will cut off access to the highway from the south and access from the highway to Blackjack Road. USD 323 Superintendent Kevin Logan says the district is already looking at ways to mitigate congestion around St. George Elementary. Logan acknowledges traffic will be a mess. “We’re going to…

Riley County Police arrested a 39-year-old Manhattan man Wednesday on a felony warrant listing multiple charges. Daniel Raymond Reyes is charged with eight total counts, including flee and elude, driving while suspended, criminal threat, stalking, interference with a law enforcement officer and two counts of violating a protection order. He’s also charged with failing to appear. According to an amended online criminal complaint, filed in mid-October, Reyes is accused of threatening a woman Aug. 30 and violating a protection order. He’s also accused of fleeing police on Sept. 11 after additionally being charged that day with stalking the victim and…

The pilot of a small aircraft escaped serious injury early Wednesday after making a crash landing near the Colby airport. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the crash was reported around 2:30 a.m. in a field about a half-mile east of Colby Municipal Airport. A Beech fixed-wing multi-engine airplane was taking off from the airport when the front wheel dolly did not detach from the front wheel. When the pilot got into the air, he noticed it was still attached and called the fire department. While firefighters were en route, the right enginge failed and the pilot had to conduct what…

Riley County fire crews worked through much of the day Wednesday containing grass fires near Leonardville, thanks to strong southerly winds that gusted over 50 mph at times. The first call came in around 11:15 a.m. near Lasita Road and Kansas Highway 82. Riley County Police and area fire crews evacuated some residents in a rural area southwest of Leonardville as a result, but they were eventually able to return to their homes. There were no reports of any structural damage. A short time later, another fire was reported further north near May Day and Wohler Roads. That fire burned…

Riley County Police say a 29-year-old man is charged with animal cruelty after intentionally killing another person’s pet fish. Taylor Morris was arrested in relation to the Tuesday night incident in the 2800 block of West 61st Ave. Officers listed a 39-year-old male as the victim. Police allege Morris put detergent in the fish tank causing all of the coral and fish inside to die. He also is accused of stealing miscellaneous items from the victim, totaling close to $3,800. In addition to the animal cruelty charge, Morris is also charged with criminal damage to property and theft. He remains…

Fire danger remains high across the region following three straight days of strong winds and warmer temperatures. Forecasters say Wednesday is expected to be the windiest day of the week with wind gusts expected up to 50 mph at times. Red Flag Warnings are posted in the area along with a wind advisory and extreme fire danger according to the rangeland fire danger index. Riley County Fire Chief Michael Regal says Monday Riley County Fire was especially busy fighting fires both north and south of Manhattan. “We assisted Geary County in a grass fire they had that was set off…