Author: Brandon Peoples

One of four suspects in the shooting death of a Manhattan man last fall appeared in Riley County District Court this week for a status hearing. Shamar Sutton, 45, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery and aggravated battery as well as aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a firearm. Judge William Malcolm on Tuesday set a preliminary status hearing for July 21 at 1 p.m. Sutton is linked to the Nov. 1 murder of 24-year-old Tanner Zamecnik outside a west Manhattan apartment complex. He was one of three arrested in March along with 20-year-olds Dylan…

Fort Riley soldiers are not allowed to visit Aggieville from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. That was an order discussed at a town hall meeting Wednesday. Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Harris of the 1st Infantry Division said the order came after KDHE confirmed an outbreak in the bar district this week. Service members who visit the district outside those hours are required to wear a mask or face covering there or while in other public places. They can be removed temporarily while eating or drinking. Family members are also strongly encouraged to follow these rules. Riley County health officials…

A 13-year-old Geary County boy was killed Thursday when the bicycle he was riding struck a semi truck in Marion County. It happened around 11 a.m. in the small town of Hillsboro. The Kansas Highway Patrol says Trevor Dayton Adams Wullenweber was riding on the sidewalk, went into an intersection and struck the semi, which was making an eastbound turn. The child was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway patrol crash log reports he was a resident of Milford. He was also a former student at Bergman Elementary in Manhattan. The semi driver, identified as 52-year-old Brendan Jay Reimer…

There will be no carnival this year at the Riley County Fair. After weeks of uncertainty, Danny Ottaway, owner and operator of Ottaway Amusements, confirmed that due to COVID-19, the carnival was being called off. Riley County K-State Extension Director Gary Fike says it’s a huge loss for the fair. Fike says additional details are still being determined and the schedule for fair activities is subject to change. In addition to the carnival, there will also be no Kaw Valley Rodeo this year. The Riley County Fair is still scheduled to begin July 23.

A Manhattan doctor has had his medical license temporarily suspended, after a state regulator said letting him practice would cause danger to the public. According to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, an emergency order went into effect Wednesday, suspending the license of Dr. Kenneth Fischer, owner of the Plastic Surgery Clinic in Manhattan. A record released Thursday shows Manhattan Surgical Hospital suspended his clinical privileges indefinitely as of Jan. 20, and revoked on May 8. He was a former shareholder at the hospital. It’s unclear why the board ruled the way they did. Both instances given are listed as…

Aggieville business owners are doing more to limit the spread of COVID-19. Video online surfaced over the weekend, showing large gatherings in a number of Aggieville bars. That led the Riley County Health Department to enforce decreased occupancy rates in bars and restaurants, now 75 percent of their posted capacity. It also requires screening of employees and documentation of that occurring at the door. Speaking on In Focus Wednesday, Aggieville Business Association Director Dennis Cook said as things began to reopen, a spike was expected. Now that it’s happened, he believes the health department acted appropriately. “I commend the Riley County…

Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla is under quarantine after being exposed to the Coronavirus. A video message posted to her Facebook page Wednesday confirmed the news after De La Isla was officially told by the Shawnee County Health Department Tuesday about the exposure sometime last week. She was reportedly aware of the face-to-face exposure and self-quarantined last week after having lunch with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19. On June 18, De La Isla received a negative test and so far says she’s only had a migraine headache, but no other symptoms. She remains in quarantine until June…

The Manhattan Public Library will begin offering additional limited services Monday. Carryout service officially wraps up this weekend, with in-person checkout available weekdays starting Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and weekends 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Masks are required for anyone wishing to use the library. As a result, holds can be placed from the online catalog and patrons will be notified by email or text when they are available. There are no overdue fines on late returns. Circulating items returned to the library are placed in quarantine for 72 hours. The library will resume inter-library loan services,…

Deputies with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a string of road sign shootings. Officers were dispatched Friday night to the area of Bigelow Road west of Westmoreland for the report of an ATV driving around shooting. Deputies found several road signs which had been shot at and damaged along Antelope Run, Bigelow and Wilson Creek Roads as well as Shady Lane, McKimmons, Pleasant Run and Myers Valley Roads. The ATV was described as black with a cab and bed. Deputies are seeking the public’s help identifying those responsible and to contact them at 785-457-3353 or leave a tip…

A possible temporary closure of the Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area is under consideration by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. Department staff have received concerns over high numbers of visitors, illegal activities and complaints from area residents. The 59-acre area, which sits on Deep Creek, seven miles southeast of Manhattan was donated to the department in 1967 and for more than 50-years has provided day-use visitors with public access to one of the most scenic areas in the northern Flint Hills region. It’s also become a hot spot for non-permitted activities on the premises, including alcohol consumption, off-road…