Author: Brandon Peoples

City officials say two future infrastructure projects could potentially utilize federal COVID funds to help lower the city’s financial obligation. The city received $12.7 million from the federal government as a result of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The city has earmarked $2.7 million for an eligible project and has engaged Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors to help choose which project best meets the federal ARPA requirements.  Assistant City Manager Wyatt Thompson says one of the projects that appears to meet that criteria is the city’s planned Anderson Avenue water main replacement project, from Harris to Connecticut Avenue. “The total estimated cost of…

Manhattan city officials are considering adding consolidated trash compactors in Aggieville as part of ongoing redevelopment in that district. Members of Olsson engineering presented two initial concepts at Tuesday’s city commission meeting with plans for compactors to be located next to the alley between Moro and Laramie Street and in the north part of the district, behind Starbucks. Design concepts (see at bottom of page) are aimed to make alleys safer, more pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically appealing through lighting, simplified surfaces, and potentially utilizing art and murals. Commissioners generally favored the idea to eliminate some of the challenges with large trucks…

Tuesday was election day in Kansas as the state conducted the first Presidential Preference Primary since 1992.  Results of the election saw no surprises as the presumptive nominees are both projected to win Kansas. President Joe Biden secured 84% of the Democratic party vote, while former President Donald Trump secured 75% of the Republican party vote. Those numbers largely mirrored results in Riley and Pottawatomie County, where Biden and Trump both won easily, though Trump’s margin of victory in Riley County was 64% compared to Nikki Haley who finished a distant second with 25%. Unofficial final results from both counties…

The Riley County Police Department says an aggressive dog was shot by officers early Monday morning. Initially, dispatchers were told the pitbull had bitten a child. Upon arrival, police say the dog acted aggressive toward one of the officers, who then shot at the dog in defense. Animal control personnel attended to the injured pitbull, who was then transferred to the Kansas State University Veterinary Health Center. The dog is expected to recover. Police later determined the reporting party was under the influence of alcohol and that the reported dog bite incident involving a child actually occurred a year prior.…

The Riley County Law Board got their opportunity Monday to weigh in on efforts made by the Riley County Police Department during Fake Patty’s Day activities on March 2. As previously reported, this year’s event saw an uptick in arrests and citations, as RCPD made a concerted effort to control some of the large gatherings east of campus. Capt. Greg Steere stated the police department doesn’t see the day as a success, noting there were still instances of violence which led to injuries to officers and civilians. “Just based solely on the crime that occurred and some of the inappropriate…

The Kansas Senate did its part late last week approving a tax bill that includes a new version of a flat tax proposal. Senate Bill 539 would change income tax rates over six years, beginning with a universal rate of 5.7% this year, reducing a half a percent annually until 2029, when it would become 5.45%. State Rep. Kenny Titus says the House will have its go at the budget this week and explains how the flat tax would benefit middle class families. “Say you’re married, the joint personal exemption jumps up to $22,000 and then is $3,000 per child and…

Authorities are searching for information connected to a burglary at Brooks Yamaha, in east Manhattan. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office says it responded March 12 to a burglary reported early that morning. An investigation revealed that the suspects arrived in a 15 foot U-Haul truck and broke out the glass door to the storefront. The suspects removed several dirt bikes and loaded them onto the truck. The total loss, including the bikes and damage to the business was estimated at over $32,000. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact Capt. Tyler Garver at 785-457-3353. Tips can also…

A former Ogden city official was charged over the weekend with misuse of public funds. The Riley County Police Department says 70-year-old Jimmy Bond was arrested Friday evening on a custody warrant. He’s also charged with official misconduct. An online criminal complaint alleges the felonies occurred between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 involving funds of at least $25,000 but less than $100,000. He was no longer in custody as of Monday’s incident report.

A local organization is proposing utilizing a Community Land Trust to help a failed housing development south of Ogden. Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills Director Josh Brewer spoke to Riley County commissioners Thursday about the concept. He says the organization recently formed its own Good Steward Community Land Trust, selling its first home under the model. where the land is in a shared-equity agreement, meaning the individual owns the home, but not the land. “Instead they own a lease-fee interest in the ground which legally attaches that house to the land for 99 years,” he said. The…

Manhattan city officials say the Browning and Dickens Ave. intersection that was supposed to reopen Friday is now delayed, likely until Monday after someone drove around a barricade and through freshly poured concrete that was still curing. A pedestrian crossing through also damaged the concrete. City workers now have to tear out that portion and repour it. The well-traveled intersection will reopen early Monday, assuming no further incidents over the weekend, which would be just in time for school resuming after Spring Break. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Riley County Police Department.