Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police are no longer seeking the public’s help identifying the parties involved in a fatal traffic accident in Leonardville in the early morning hours of June 19. The Kansas Highway Patrol worked the traffic accident, after a pedestrian was found dead in the 12,900 block of Barton Road. Investigating officers located 38-year-old Christopher Day of Leonardville, who died of head trauma associated with being struck by a vehicle. RCPD simultaneously conducted a criminal investigation, but Capt. Josh Kyle confirmed Wednesday no criminal charges are anticipated, and the department is forwarding further inquiries to KHP, which continues to investigate.…

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office has ruled a June 14 shooting that killed a 10-year-old boy accidental, after a thorough investigation. Sheriff’s Office Spokesman David Gilbert says Grady Erichsen’s death was a community tragedy that no parent should have to face. He says officers are still waiting on a few items to return as they wrap up their investigation, but says all signs point to accidental shooting, but did not specify any further. Deputies responded June 14 to a residence on Clarks Creek Road, southwest of Junction City in rural Geary County where they found the boy. He was transported…

The Wamego Aquatic Center officially opens its doors Wednesday with some limitations to visiting patrons. Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce Event & Tourism Director Kara Holle previewed the reopening on Monday’s In Focus. “The Wamego Aquatic Center opened late in the summer last year, so it didn’t really get a full run, but it will be open on July 1. The splash pad wasn’t open at all last year and it opened last week and it’s free and open pretty much all day long,” she said. Hours of operation will be 1 to 3 p.m., 4 to 6 p.m. and…

The Riley County Health Department reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, but says none of the new patients have required hospitalization. Additionally, six people were added to the recovered list. All told, Riley County is monitoring 139 active cases, with 91 people now listed as recovered. The county has attributed three deaths to the virus, two of those coming in June. Ascension Via Christi continues to monitor one positive patient on a ventilator and two persons under investigation showing symptoms, awaiting test results. The newest patients to test positive all are reportedly experiencing mild symptoms. As June came to…

Riley County Police have arrested a Kansas City, Kansas man who previously was on the department’s Most Wanted List. According to Tuesday’s arrest report, 35-year-old Montell Warren Jones Jr. was jailed Monday on a warrant for aggravated domestic battery, criminal trespass, aggravated intimidation of a witness and criminal threat. RCPD’s media incident report lists a complaint of criminal threat occurring March 24 at 3520 Hudson Circle. The complaint corresponds to Jones’ case number. Further details are pending from RCPD. Jones also has a warrant from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Online records show Jones has active convictions out of Wyandotte…

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office has identified the person killed in a UTV crash over the weekend. According to Sheriff Shane Jager, the driver has been identified as 28-year-old Travis Belville of rural Olsburg. Jager says the investigation is ongoing. Deputies were called out Friday evening to the area of Oak Grove Road and Bigelow and found the UTV. Belville was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger also sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Their name has not been released. Original story – 6 p.m. Saturday One person is dead following a utility terrain vehicle crash in Pottawatomie County Friday. The Pottawatomie…

K-State President Richard Myers says he’s asked administrators to fast-track actions to combat racism and bigotry and other forms of social injustice. Details on those action plans could be released later this week. In a letter penned Monday, Myers apologized for the actions of Jaden McNeil, the self-described founder of conservative group America First Students, which K-State says is not currently registered on campus because of a lack of membership. Myers says he had heard from hundreds, if not thousands, of K-Staters concerned about a swath of issues surrounding Black Lives Matter and the recent outrage after McNeil made an…

Riley County continues to see a rise in new cases of the novel coronavirus. As of Monday, the health department was monitoring 134 active cases. While hospitalizations remain low, the health department is monitoring at least one individual on a ventilator and one person who is an inpatients awaiting their test results. Riley County is reporting that 85 people have made recoveries and there continue to be three deaths attributed to the virus. “Currently we’re sitting at an 8.5 percent positive rate and about 52 percent of our cases are from the 18 to 24 year old age range, with…

There will be no shows this fall at McCain Auditorium. The McCain Performance Series at Kansas State University is canceling plans for a full subscription series in the fall. The decision was made with the safety of students, staff, volunteers, patrons and artists in mind. Director Todd Holmberg says the decision was a heartbreaking one to make. “Ultimately, the guiding principle in this decision was the safety of the campus and community. The decision was also predicated on the fact that several scheduled artists and attractions were canceling their own plans to tour until at least January 2021,” he said.…

Riley County health officials have confirmed an outbreak of at least six positive cases of coronavirus at Riley County Emergency Medical Services. Three additional tests were pending as of Sunday. According to the health department, positive cases have been confirmed at two out of four EMS stations in the county, with a third likely. All emergency medical and fire services are said to be fully supported and operational. There have been no changes in response posture for the community. The initial infections have been tracked to community spread, and not from exposure to patients served by EMS. The health department…