Author: Brandon Peoples

A new campus building will bridge cultures for years to come at Kansas State University. A virtual ribbon cutting was held Friday to officially unveil the completion of the $6.4 million Morris Family Multicultural Student Center. Among the attendees was K-State President Richard Myers. “To all of our students, I would say this space is for you. May it be an inclusive space where you are empowered to find your voice as well as academic success. That’s all wrapped into this structure,” he said. Lead donor Jim Bob Morris, a K-State alum says the center is a hub for all…

A Milford man is jailed in connection to an alleged rape and aggravated assault in Geary County. According to a release from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, a female victim was receiving treatment at the hospital after reportedly being shot and raped in the 9700 block of Quarry Road early Thursday morning. Junction City Police later found the suspect, identified as Darien Manning, in the 100 block of East 10th Street, about two hours later. Manning has been charged with aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, rape and violation of a protection order. Further details about the alleged…

One person sustained a minor injury Wednesday following a three vehicle crash north of Manhattan at the intersection of US 24 and Kansas Hwy 13. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash happened just after 5 p.m. when the driver of a pickup attempted to make a left turn onto Hwy 24 from KS 13 and did so in front of a westbound Toyota Camry. The accident caused the Camry to go into a violent spin into the eastbound lanes where it was struck by another pickup. The driver of the Camry, 64-year-old John Bosch of Clay Center was…

The USD 383 school board meets Wednesday night, faced with more tough decisions as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the community. While not currently on the agenda, it’s highly anticipated the board could consider bringing a motion to transition the district out of hybrid learning to full remote after the Thanksgiving holiday. Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade announced earlier this week that plans are already in place to do so for the shortened school week next Monday and Tuesday, in an effort to deep clean all school buildings. If approved, it’s uncertain how long a full-remote schedule could potentially be…

Researchers at George Mason University’s Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy shared results at Monday’s Law Board meeting of an eight-year evaluation of crime analysis in Riley County. The program is called the RCPD Laser Point Program and focuses in on roughly 10 hot spot street blocks where crime has been known to takes place frequently. It involves 15-20 minute patrols at those locations one to two times per shift and stresses visibility and encourages foot patrol, public contacts and problem solving as well as managerial tracking of activities. Chris Koper is one of the researchers on the project and says…

Kansas State University has announced it is cancelling fall commencement activities this weekend. Ceremonies in Manhattan and Salina had initially been planned for Friday through Sunday. K-State President Richard Myers said in a statement Tuesday that the decision was made following several days that have seen hundreds of new COVID-19 cases in its communities. Capacity in the health care community was a major factor in the decision as medical providers and local hospitals are either at or beyond capacity due to the recent surge. The university is planning a virtual recognition in December, with details to be published on the…

Pottawatomie County health officials have confirmed the first COVID-19 related death in the county. According to Health Officer Liz Parthemer, the patient was a 79-year-old woman. No other details were released about her. A second patient, an 87-year-old man also died from COVID complications. Health officials are awaiting confirmation from the state health department on whether each was a resident of the county. Parthemer says contact investigations are ongoing. Any close contacts are advised to quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms. She adds that this is not a time to “let our guard down” as hospitals are seeing an…

Students at all USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden schools will attend classes Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 as full distance learning days. In a letter to staff and families, Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade gave a one-week notice to all to prepare for the transition for the shortened school week ahead of Thanksgiving. Wade says by going this route it allows the district the opportunity to deep clean all school buildings and keep people from coming in and out of the building for an entire week. Many teachers in the district have been forced into quarantine, causing staffing shortages in some buildings. Specific…

Health experts are urging continued vigilance as Riley County braces for possibly its highest number of monthly infections to date. In Riley County, November has been off to a rough start. Through the first 13 days of the month, the health department added 548 new cases of COVID-19, including 410 cases just this week. To put that in perspective, 364 new cases were added the entire month of October, an average of just under 12 cases per day. Three of the county’s 14 COVID-related deaths have also occurred in November. The November average is currently about 42 cases per day,…

Two Manhattan men are jailed for their roles in allegedly intimidating a witness from testifying in an ongoing court case. Riley County Police Thursday arrested 32-year-old Joseph Trevail at the Dillons Westloop on three charges of aggravated intimidation of a witness, criminal threat, stalking and harassment by telephone. Also arrested was 23-year-old James Medlin on two charges of aggravated intimidation, criminal threat, stalking and harassment by telephone. Court documents filed in court in late October allege Trevail made violent or forceful threats against Andrew Hays, in an effort to prevent Hays from testifying at a trial or preliminary hearing. The…