Author: Brandon Peoples

A Manhattan woman was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant Wednesday charging her with aggravated assault. The Riley County Police Department says 41-year-old Nicole Mallett was taken into custody in the 800 block of Dondee Drive. The warrant stems from an alleged incident last June, where Mallett is accused of driving an SUV at two women. Mallett is no longer in custody after posting a $5,000 bond.

Spring burning season is just around the corner and Riley County Fire District #1 is teaming up with the Kansas Forest Service for some fire safety education later this month. A free Prescribed Fire & Controlled Burn class will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at Pottorf Hall, located within Manhattan’s CiCo Park. Registration is not required and the class is recommended to anyone who conducts controlled agricultural burning in Riley County. The course does not include a live fire, but aims to educate on the safe and effective use of fire as a land management tool. The course…

Riley County announced this week that private property has been secured for a non-discharging sewer lagoon in Keats. The purchase allows the county to begin an environmental assessment for the project. Commissioner Greg McKinley says it’s a long-time coming, following years of discussion and planning. Deputy County Counselor Shelley Woodard negotiated an agreement with Keats resident Stanley Schurle’s trust to buy roughly 13 to 15 acres west of Keats Park at $20,000 per acre. A finalized price won’t be determined until the county has determined just how much land it will need. Commissioners voted 2-1 in December to pursue eminent…

A local school official says there never was any threat to the safety of students and staff at Rock Creek High School after a poem was found Tuesday that caused concern. Rock Creek USD 323 Superintendent Joan Simoneau spoke about the incident on KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday. School officials weren’t aware the poem was part of a broader school assignment until speaking with individuals just before school started Wednesday morning. Simoneau says regardless, they take every concern seriously. Parents were notified Wednesday morning of the issue and assured the building was secure.

Geary County authorities arrested a Junction City man Monday for allegedly attempting to flee law enforcement while he tried to make it to a court hearing in Manhattan. The Geary County Sheriff’s activity report notes that Jordan Prather was arrested just after noon Monday in Junction City. The Manhattan Mercury reports Prather, who originally was charged with first-degree murder, was on his way to be sentenced for three aggravated assault convictions in Riley County District Court. The deputy also discovered Prather was driving with a suspended license and an invalid license plate. He was also on probation. As a result,…

Members of the public voiced concerns Monday regarding the Riley County USD 378 school board’s handling of Superintendent Cliff Williams’ contract. Williams has been on administrative leave since Jan. 8. A pair of former school board members spoke, including Chris White, who was on the board in December when Williams’ contract was extended. Her term expired at the end of the year and the new board soon reversed that decision on a 4-3 vote. White says she’s extremely disturbed by what she calls “an apparent calculated decision.” White says there were zero issues of any wrongdoing or potential legal issues…

A Lecompton man entered guilty pleas Monday in Pottawatomie County District Court for his role in connection to a fatal crash 18 months ago near Wamego that claimed the lives of a father and son. According to County Attorney Sherri Schuck (Shook), 46-year-old Mark Stanwix has pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide, three counts of aggravated battery and single counts of reckless driving and texting. The charges stem from an August 2022 crash on Highway 24 near Airport Road, just east of Wamego. Stanwix was driving a semi truck and plowed into a pickup and SUV from behind…

A Manhattan man is jailed on a host of charges, following an arrest just after midnight Monday. Riley County Police have charged 44-year-old James Williams with driving under the influence, possession of a firearm under the influence. He additionally had an active warrant for criminal discharge of a firearm. The warrant stems from a September incident where Williams is accused of shooting a firearm at an occupied vehicle. Williams remains in custody on a total bond of $8,250.

Authorities are investigating after numerous Kansas State University bowl game gold rings were reported stolen from a Manhattan man’s home this week. That victim is local philanthropist C. Clyde Jones. The 101-year-old reported the theft Friday to the Riley County Police Department and asked them to check with local pawn shops. Jones says he frequently has people over, bringing him deliveries. The estimated total loss is approximately $5,000. Jones believes there may have been about five or six rings in the cabinet. He says it’s unclear when the rings went missing. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime…

Some of Manhattan’s best business leaders and volunteers were recognized Friday at the 99th annual Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting. The honor of the night went to Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr, who was selected as the 2023 Lud Fiser Citizen of the Year. Fehr is retiring in April after more than four decades with the city, including the past 24 years in his current leadership position. The 2023 C. Clyde Jones Volunteer of the Year award was given to retired attorney Jim Morrison. Morrison has been instrumental in several philanthropic efforts, including the launching of Meadowlark Hills and…