Author: Brandon Peoples

The Riley County Police Department has arrested three individuals on suspicion of first-degree murder in connection to the death of a Manhattan man last fall. Police on Thursday served warrants on 20-year-old Dylan Hitsman of Abilene, 20-year-old Jaylon Hitsman of Manhattan and 45-year-old Shamar Sutton of Manhattan. Each is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and criminal discharge of a firearm. Sutton is additionally charged with aggravated robbery, while the two Hitsman brothers are charged with attempted aggravated robbery. All three remain jailed on bonds of $250,000 each. The case is tied to the Nov. 1 shooting death…

The drastic economic downturn communities are feeling is accelerating by the day as the spread of COVID-19 continues. Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Smith says nowhere is this more true than local small businesses which have struggled in the past week, many shutting their doors to provide about half the service they would otherwise. “Collectively, we have to figure out not just in Manhattan, but across the country, how do we come together and keep those businesses open. They’re so important to the social fabric of our community. We have to find a way to help…

COUNCIL GROVE, Kan. — Two positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in nearby Morris County, the first reported cases in the Flint Hills region. Morris County Public Health Department Public Information Officer William Kassebaum confirmed late Wednesday it was notified of two positive individuals who visited several locations in Council Grove. In its initial release, the health department stated the two positive patients were symptomatic when they visited the four businesses in Council Grove and one in Strong City. KMAN was contacted by one of the patients disputing this, but the Morris County PIO confirmed Thursday the initial release…

With school out in the traditional sense for the duration of the academic year, it’s only fair that employees would worry about what that means for their own bottom lines. As part of her executive order to close K-12 schools Tuesday in favor of an online learning component, Gov. Laura Kelly promised all hourly and salaried staff would continue to receive paychecks. Kansas schools have already received its allotted state tax dollars for employee personnel. While specifics aren’t clear yet how that will happen, USD 383 Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid, during an appearance on In Focus ahead of Wednesday’s school…

Pottawatomie County Commissioners will have a different meeting place for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19 concerns. Commissioners have moved their Monday weekly meetings from the Sunflower Room in Westmoreland to the Pottawatomie County Training Facility at 406 Miller Drive in Wamego. This provides an opportunity for the commission to still hold their open meeting while practicing safe social distancing. The commission will also stream these meetings via Zoom, with a link provided online through pottcounty.org. The meetings will continue in this format until further notice. The commission is also holding a Friday meeting at the facility in addition to…

Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs joined us for a daily update on local response to COVID-19 and some tips for the public to prevent the spread of illness.

Two Manhattan men are jailed on suspicion of drug possession, aggravated battery and burglary. Riley County Police say 32-year-old Samuel Harris and 49-year-old Troy Rhodd were arrested Tuesday evening in the Blue Hills Shopping Center parking lot between Dollar General and R.C. McGraw’s. Rhodd is charged with eight total counts, including two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by deception and two counts of making false information. Harris is charged with four total counts including aggravated battery and criminal damage to property. Both men are charged each with one count of opiate possession and a possession with intent to…

Pottawatomie County health officials say they do not have any confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county. The county is dismissing rumors of a pending positive case in the county after talk of possible cases in the area came up during the meeting. Dr. Dave Wichman, Chief of Psychiatry at Colmery O’Neil VA Medical Center expressed concern that the county hasn’t been proactive enough in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county said as of 10 a.m. Tuesday there were no confirmed presumed positive cases and that it will push out any confirmation through multiple avenues if and when there are…

The pedestrian killed in a traffic incident last week at the intersection of 15th Street and Fort Riley Blvd. has been identified. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 61-year-old Francisco Nevarrez-Arrellano died March 11 after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle, driven by 22-year-old Madelline Haynes of Junction City. No further details have been released. KHP reported they were unable to locate a next of kin for Nevarrez-Arrellano. Original story: March 12 at 7:00 a.m. A pedestrian was struck and killed Wednesday evening at the intersection of 15th Street and Fort Riley Blvd. in Manhattan. The Kansas Highway Patrol says…

The Riley County District Court is taking additional measures to prevent against the spread of the COVID-19. Judge Grant Bannister issued an administrative order Monday for the courts which will remain open, but with limited services. All jury trials scheduled through April 20, 2020 are continued pending further order from the court. Any juror receiving summons for trials from March 17 through April 20 do not need to report to the courthouse on the assigned date of the summons. Court Administrator DaLanna Nichols says it will create some challenges for the courts. “We do have video conferencing capabilities. Those cases…