Author: Brandon Peoples

In a follow up to a story from earlier this week, the Riley County Police Department has now placed 33-year-old Jesse Mark Sexton on its Most Wanted List. Sexton has multiple Riley County warrants for failing to appear, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal threat, 11 counts of theft and eight counts of theft by deception. His warrants have a bond totaling $120,000. On Tuesday, Riley County Judge William Malcolm increased Sexton’s bonds on each count he failed to appear on this week. He also has pending charges in Pottawatomie County. He was not in court Tuesday to…

Every Friday morning during the 2020 Kansas Legislative session, KMAN brings you a weekly update from our state representatives at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Top Republicans in the Kansas House have delayed a vote on a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution. The decision comes a day after the House gave first round approval to get the measure on the ballot. It did not have the two-thirds majority (84 votes) necessary to pass. The House had been scheduled to vote Friday morning, but GOP leaders said it could go in and out of session multiple times before a vote occurs, possibly to buy time to sway Republican colleagues that weren’t in favor. On KMAN’s weekly legislative update Friday morning, 51st District Rep. Ron…

Manhattan residents living in or around neighborhoods near CiCo Park are advised of an upcoming Kansas Gas Service project to upgrade natural gas pipelines. The project is scheduled to start Monday and last into early summer, according to a release this week from the utility. Construction dates may vary due to unforeseen circumstances but generally will occur weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and occasional Saturdays until the project is completed. During the upgrade, there may be traffic interruptions, including temporary lane closures. The project area includes the CiCo Park neighborhood, Dickens Ave. to Anderson Ave. as well as…

Food is still being counted this week following the Flint Hills Breadbasket’s annual Souper Bowl collection. On KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday, Breadbasket Executive Director Maribeth Kieffer told listeners that while numbers were still preliminary, they’ve already well surpassed their collection goal of 10,000 pounds. Kieffer says it’ll go a long way to help those less fortunate in our community. This year’s event went beyond just the grocery store collection efforts that took place on Feb. 1. The Breadbasket also had a major boost from Manhattan/Ogden Schools, with students scheduled to sort their items on Thursday. Event co-founder and former Riley…

Fort Riley’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team is deploying to the Republic of Korea for its 2020 rotation. A deployment ceremony and casing of the brigade colors took place Thursday morning at the King Field House on Fort Riley. Colonel Phil Brooks spoke about the Dagger brigade team’s readiness, noting their dedicated ongoing training. Colonel Thomas Murtha, Commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat team says they stand ready at all times. The 2nd Armored brigade will replace the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the U.S. commitment to Southeast…

For the second year in a row, Ascension Via Christi Hospital President Bob Copple has been named to Becker’s Healthcare’s list of rural hospital and health system CEOs to know. The list is put out annually, recognizing leaders making a positive impact on their organizations. Copple is among 60 nationally named to the 2020 list. Those featured lead hospitals consistently recognized by organizations such as the National Rural Health Association, American Hospital Association, IBM Watson Health and The Leapfrog Group. Copple, a licensed engineer has presided over the Manhattan hospital since 2016, overseeing 150 physicians, 500 employees and 300 volunteers.…

Bond has been raised against a Manhattan man charged with numerous felonies, after he failed once again to appear for a status hearing Tuesday in Riley County District Court. A bench warrant was issued for Jesse Sexton, who was arrested after a motorcycle pursuit in Manhattan in late July and then a couple weeks later south of town without incident. Charges range from flee and elude, to aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and obstruction. He also faces charges of criminal threat and criminal damage to property.  Sexton has on numerous occasions failed to appear for status hearings or…

A Manhattan man accused of murder will appear next month for a preliminary hearing. Richard Goens, who is in jail, appeared via video conference during a status hearing Tuesday. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of 24-year-old Tanner Zamecnik, will appear March 19 in front of Judge William Malcolm, in the Division I courtroom. A three-hour setting has been scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon. Court documents allege Goens shot and killed Zamecnik during an attempted robbery Nov. 1 outside a west Manhattan apartment complex. During the altercation a female victim was also injured. Goens faces a…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — Authorities in Pottawatomie County say foul play is not suspected in a death investigation involving a Westmoreland resident. According to Pottawatomie County Sheriff Shane Jager, a deceased individual was located outside a home in the 600 block of First Street Monday just before 8:30 a.m. Paramedics were on scene and pronounced the person dead. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death. The person’s name and age have not been released, pending notification of family. Further details are pending a completed investigation.