Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County saw many more coronavirus patients added to the recovery column Friday, in large part due to increased availability of contact tracers to conduct follow-up interviews. Friday’s report showed 352 additional recoveries while also accounting for 73 new positive cases. The health department says with fewer new cases to call, contact tracing staff have been able to reach out to existing patients in order to confirm recovery. Most of the recovered patients in Friday’s report were diagnosed in mid-to-late August. Patients are considered recovered when they meet the following criteria outlined by the CDC: 10 days since symptoms first…

A 37-year-old man is jailed after police say he attempted to start a fire on another person’s property in Manhattan. According to the Riley County Police Department, officers were called out Thursday evening to a disturbance at a mobile home in Redbud Estates. Police arrested 37-year-old Jason Melton in connection to one count of attempted aggravated arson, one count of criminal trespass and two counts of aggravated assault. Police listed a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman as victims when Melton went on to their property without permission and tried to start a fire. Melton remains jailed on a $50,000…

Riley County Police say burglars recently got away with thousands of dollars in merchandise from a Manhattan retailer. A burglary report was filed Thursday morning at Golf USA, located on Fort Riley Blvd. An unknown suspect reportedly took miscellaneous drivers, fairways and hybrid golf clubs. The total value on the items is approximately $44,000. Police are continuing to investigate and so far don’t have any suspects. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers to leave a tip.

Pottawatomie County health officials say 15 new cases of coronavirus were reported Thursday, bringing the total number of active cases to 37, an increase of five. Additionally, 10 patients were added to the county’s recovered list, bringing that total to 201, with nine pending results. There are currently no Pottawatomie County residents in the hospital. Since March, the county has totaled 238 positive cases and administered 2,988 tests. The health department also noted that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is still accepting applications for the Hero Relief Program. It provides financial assistance to essential workers in the areas…

Applications are now being accepted for Riley County small businesses that have incurred financial struggles as a result of COVID-19. Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is administering the $2.5 million in grants made available by Riley County, as part of the federal CARES Act. Chamber Economic Development Director Daryn Soldan spoke with KMAN recently about the need in the local business community. “We know there’s a lot of folks out there, everyone’s being impacted differently. I think for some folks, this is going to be significant,” he said. The application period is open until Nov. 2. Up to $15,000 may…

Fort Riley officials are investigating allegations of sexual assault brought on by a female soldier. Officials at the U.S. Army installation said the woman accused someone of sexually assaulting them while assigned to Fort Riley. It is not naming the woman making the claims, out of privacy concerns. In a Facebook statement, Fort Riley said they are aware of the allegations and “will use every available resource to care for the soldier and to investigate any and all reports of assault. Sexual assault is an egregious violation, and we always take every allegation seriously.” Facebook comments were removed by the…

The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police.  Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further.  Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for fraud in the 2000 block of Himes Rd. in Manhattan on September 23, 2020, at approximately 11:20 a.m. Officers listed a 58-year-old female as the victim when it was…

There is at least some optimism coming from the Riley County Health Department with regards to coronavirus case numbers. While 67 new cases were reported over the weekend, there were 51 recoveries, and more importantly the percent positive rate the past two weeks has been around 12 to 13 percent. “We’re happy to see that percent positive cut in half compared to about three weeks ago when were at about 30 percent,” said Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs. Another round of free COVID-19 testing is planned Oct. 1 in Riley County, with testing at the City Park Pavilion…

The 2021 campaign kicked off Tuesday for Konza United Way with new campaign chair and former Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Lyle Butler at the helm. Butler hopes to use his knowledge of the Manhattan business community to foster growth in employee giving campaigns. Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of KMAN’s In Focus, the campaign champion stated he also recognizes the challenges ahead with a community, like so many others, disrupted by a worldwide pandemic. “I hope that people will be energized to support Konza United Way this year, so we can continue not only to help as we have…

Riley County health officials on Monday saw new positive cases of coronavirus slightly outpace the number of additional recoveries. The health department tallied 67 new cases and 51 additional recoveries since Friday’s report. One positive patient remains hospitalized at Ascension Via Christi. Local health officer Julie Gibbs informed the county commission Monday that testing remains ongoing at their swabbing station.  They are still working with Konza Prairie Community Health on staffing for their permanent respiratory clinic and swabbing sites.  Gibbs hope to open those sites by mid-October. “Meanwhile, Konza is still doing swabbing in the tent in the afternoons in…