Author: Brandon Peoples

Former Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson has filed for the vacant 67th district House seat in the Kansas Legislature. The retired U.S. Army veteran filed for the seat Wednesday, a day after Tom Phillips announced he wasn’t seeking re-election this fall. Dodson tells KMAN he still has the energy and desire to serve as an advocate for Manhattan and the state of Kansas. “I think I can continue to help not only Manhattan, but perhaps can lend a little to the state of Kansas as we try to work our way back to a better normal,” he said. Dodson left the…

Those on the front lines fighting coronavirus locally got a nice salute Tuesday. The Kansas Air National Guard 190th Refueling Wing took to the skies with a KC-135 Stratotanker flying over Manhattan. The flyover was part of Operation America Strong to honor health care workers. The plane flew over the Riley County Police Department, Manhattan Surgical Hospital, Manhattan Vet Center, Ascension Via Christi Hospital and Downtown Manhattan. Flyovers were also held in Emporia, Topeka and Lawrence.

Gov. Laura Kelly says Kansas will move into Phase 2 of her reopening plan Friday. The move comes a bit earlier than the initially anticipated June 1 date after the state moved into Phase 1.5 last week. It also comes with some modifications, including a mass gathering limit of 15 rather than 30, which had been the plan for phase two initially. “All businesses and activities slated for phase two will be allowed to open, with the exception of bars, nightclubs and swimming pools,” she said at a Tuesday news conference. Organized sports facilities and tournaments can also resume, except…

Manhattan State Representative Tom Phillips will not seek re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives. “There’s never a good time to let go of something you enjoy, but I just felt like if I wanted to write a new chapter in my life I have to close this one. I have still my energy level and my desire to continue to be engaged in the community and I just thought this would be a good time to let go,” he said. Phillips says another reason he’s exiting is the shrinking amount of moderate voices in the Statehouse. “That mode of…

The long time Marshall County Sheriff has announced his retirement. Dan Hargrave made the announcement last week after a 12-year career in the position and a 21-year career in law enforcement. Hargrave’s retirement is effective June 1. The Marshall County Republican Party precinct committee will be tasked with nominating a successor to fill the term which expires in January 2021. Undersheriff Tim Ackerman will become Sheriff in the interim, and is a candidate in the 2020 election to succeed Hargrave. Prior to his career in law enforcement, Hargrave spent 12 years working for the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The Riley County Law Board on Monday approved for publication its $22.1 million budget for fiscal year 2021, but will need a special meeting to finalize it ahead of the publication date. Within the budget, $470,000 is being slashed outside of merits and cost of living adjustments. The budget, while flat year-over-year in terms of overall dollars, still allows for a 0.63 percent COLA on top of the 2021 base of $22.3 million. It subtracts $234,000 from unused budget funds, commonly called carry-over funds.  RCPD Captain Josh Kyle explains why it was included within their projections. “We feel that it’s reasonable…

No new cases of coronavirus were reported over the weekend, as more people in Riley County get added to the recovered list. The total amount of cases since mid-March remains at 60, of which 10 cases remain active. There have now been 49 recoveries and one death attributed to the virus. Ascension Via Christi currently has no active patients hospitalized, but are monitoring one person under investigation, showing symptoms. Riley County continues to wait on 56 pending test results and have now seen 788 negative tests. In Pottawatomie County, there are 22 total cases, four of which are active and…

Wamego Police say one person has been arrested following a Sunday chase which began in Wamego and ended in St. George. The chase began around 9:30 p.m. Sunday near 10th and Lilac in Wamego after police received numerous reports of a reckless driver. The driver failed to stop and led officers west toward St. George and the chase ended after the vehicle left the roadway, crashing into a creek near Military Trail and Chapman Road. Officers lost sight of the vehicle prior to the crash. Four suspects in the vehicle fled the and were later identified by police. At least…

Nelson’s Landing has shut its doors after 13 years in business. The popular Leonardville restaurant and sports bar announced Sunday via its Facebook page it would no longer remain in business. The post thanked the employees who helped shape the restaurant as well as the public for their support. Nelson’s Landing was owned and operated by Kim and Alan Nelson since just before their son Jordy Nelson, a standout football player at K-State, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. The Nelsons say while the doors may be closed, the memories will live on forever.

Health care workers and first responders will be honored Tuesday with a special flyover from the Kansas Air National Guard’s 190th Air Refueling Wing. Operation Kansas Strong flyovers are planned in four Kansas communities including Manhattan to salute the front line workers in the fight against COVID-19. Colonel Lee Norman, state surgeon for the Kansas Army National Guard will be flying with leaders from the Kansas National Guard. Norman is also the Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. During the flyovers, Norman will be in contact with a hospital official in each city via radio. The flyover…