Author: Brandon Peoples

Boomtown will go on a little later than anticipated this year. Earlier this week, the Wamego City Commission gave the go ahead for the Wamego 4th of July fireworks show to proceed on Sunday, Sept. 6. That’s the Sunday before Labor Day. The annual 4th of July celebration which draws in thousands to Wamego was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Organizers say they are planning some new things for this year’s show and are excited to celebrate freedom on Labor Day weekend.

The Riley County Health Department says 11 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed since Monday, one of the largest spikes in new cases locally since the pandemic began. This is up from a Manhattan city official’s Wednesday-morning report showing there have been 10 new cases since Monday. The new report also shows four of the positive cases are associated with K-State athletics after all returning players were tested, which is down from the initial announcement that six K-State athletes had tested positive. Two of the individuals are women in their 20s, one is a 39-year-old man and the…

One person was arrested Tuesday on an outstanding warrant following a fiery crash northwest of Manhattan. Riley County Police and Riley County Fire responded around 4 p.m. to the 5700 block of Anderson Ave. where they found one vehicle had struck another and caused a fire. No injuries were reported. Police arrested 23-year-old Marcantoni Wood of Manhattan on a Manhattan Municipal Court warrant for parole violation. He was confined in the Riley County Jail on a $500 bond. The area was closed for about an hour while emergency crews worked to extinguish the fire.

A Manhattan restaurant owner has been bound over on 26 charges of sexual abuse against three minors, with arraignment set for next month. The charges against 62-year-old Robert Iacobellis, owner of Bob’s Diner, range from aggravated indecent liberties to rape and sodomy. If convicted, 24 of the counts carry a life sentence. Judge William Malcolm found enough probable cause from testimony Tuesday from the three alleged victims to proceed to trial. Iacobellis will be arraigned at 2:30 p.m. July 6 with Judge Kendra Lewison presiding. At Tuesday’s hearing, the three victims testified Iacobellis touched, fondled, or sexually assaulted them on…

No injuries were reported after part of a cottonwood tree fell into the front of a mobile home in the Blue Valley Mobile Home Park. The incident happened shortly before noon. Manhattan Fire Department Capt. Brian Force says the homeowner escaped safely out the backdoor. “The gentleman here was inside the home, actually cooking a pizza for dinner and sitting in his living room when the tree came crashing down. No injuries, kinda scared him a little bit and he was able to get out alright,” he said. The impact did significant damage to the front of the mobile home,…

Kansas State University will hold commencement ceremonies prior to Thanksgiving. In a letter to students Tuesday, Provost Chuck Taber announced spring, summer and fall 2020 graduates will be recognized in combined ceremonies Nov. 23 and 24 at the Manhattan campus, the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Commencement at Salina’s polytechnic campus will take place Nov. 20. Taber says the earlier commencement ceremonies is consistent with the university’s efforts to reduce risk for students, their families and their communities by reducing the need for students to travel. Additional details regarding times and logistics for the ceremonies will be announced in the…

A 58-year-old Ogden man injured earlier this month in a motorcycle crash in Herington has died. Robert Bartholic was riding June 7 near the junction of US-77 and US-56 Highway when he and another motorcyclist were rear-ended by a northbound pickup, which failed to stop at the intersection. He died Saturday at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. According to his obituary, Bartholic served in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard and Air National Guard and was a retired captain with the Fort Riley Fire Department, following a 30 year career. He most recently worked for USD 383 where he was…

Kansas State University says eight employees in Information Technology Services will be furloughed beginning June 28. Doing so will save the university more than $100,000. The emergency action comes following 430 employee furloughs announced since May due to COVID-19 impacts. The university estimates in total, it has saved nearly $2.75 million. K-State’s Division of Human Capital Services is working with affected employees on federal and state health benefit options. Furloughed employees may qualify for state unemployment benefits.

The Riley County Law Board Monday gave final approval to its 2021 budget, with no cost of living adjustments or merits for members of the Riley County Police Department. Law Board member and current Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson says he’s frustrated with the situation the Law Board found itself in due to the COVID-19 pandemic and issued a statement prior to the board’s action Monday. “I do apologize that we can’t make raises work this year, but I want you to know that you are appreciated. I hope other people in this community recognize that there are a lot…

Kansas State University is helping furloughed employees through a new fund set up by the KSU Foundation. The university says in a release that hundreds have supported the #KStateStrong Emergency Response Fund since it was established in March as a result of COVID-19. More than 400 employees have been affected by furloughs. A few generous donors made significant gifts to the fund specifically to assist those employees through relief grants. Those experiencing financial hardships as a result may apply for grants up to $700 on line through the foundation’s website or in person at 1800 Kimball Ave. Priority will be…