Author: Brandon Peoples

Some local pet control officers are working to help a Riley County pet owner get into compliance after about 30 terrier-mix dogs were found at a Randolph home earlier this week. T. Russell Reitz Animal Control officers worked with the owner to surrender over five adult dogs and four puppies that needed immediate care. Those dogs are currently receiving medical treatment at the Manhattan shelter. Animal Shelter Director Deb Watkins say the owner was not intentionally breeding the animals and was trying to care for them, but became overwhelmed. “The dogs were very well cared for, they all had lots…

Junction City has announced that the 12th Street Community Center will reopen Tuesday. The center will operate on a limited hour and activity schedule from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The center will be closed on Sundays Patrons are asked to bring their own equipment, such as basketballs. Backpacks and purses will be prohibited until further notice and no reservations will be taken for parties or meetings. Class sizes for yoga and zumba will be limited and physical distancing will be practiced. Walkers  11 a.m. – 12 p.m. daily Pickleball  12:30 p.m – 2:30 p.m daily Basketball…

An overnight robbery in downtown Manhattan is under investigation. The Riley County Police Department’s incident report states a hold-up took place around 2 a.m. Thursday at 3rd and Poyntz Ave. RCPD spokesperson Hali Rowland says the victim, a 26-year-old man, told police his shoes and wallet were stolen. He was not able to provide a suspect description. The estimated total loss was around $382. Investigators are still piecing together additional details of the case.

Three men, including a pair from Wamego are facing federal charges for illegally hunting whitetail deer in off-limit areas of Fort Riley where explosives are discharged for tranining exercises. U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said Wednesday that 55-year-old Gregory Frikken and 32-year-old James Nunley, both of Wamego and 55-year-old Michael J. Smith of Watertown, New York violated the federal Lacey Act while hunting white-tail deer on the grounds of the Army base over the past few years. Each is charged with multiple counts of violating the act, which bans trafficking in illegal wildlife. (Charges are listed below.) Investigators recovered evidence including…

Riley County continues to see improvement in the number of positive cases of coronavirus locally. Health officials announced no new cases Wednesday and the county remains at 60 total positive cases since mid-March. Of that total, six cases are currently active 53 people have recovered and one person has died. There are currently 83 pending test results and 828 people have tested negative for the virus. Ascension Via Christi Hospital had no positive patients as of Wednesday but were monitoring one person under investigation, showing symptoms. Riley County Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams tells KMAN, the last time Riley County…

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.