Author: Brandon Peoples

CLEVELAND — An Ohio teenager who intended to set off an explosive device at a high school in his home town was also responsible for calling in a hoax hostage situation at Manhattan’s Lee Elementary School last November. Allen Martin Kenna, 18, has been charged with attempted use of an explosive device and interstate communication of threats. The charges were filed this week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland. FBI investigators learned from a diary found on his laptop that it was Kenna who called the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan last November saying someone was being held…

Seven Manhattan High students are finalists for the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program. Each were named semifinalists in September for the national award and moved on to finalist round, joining roughly 15,000 students across the nation. Of that group, about half will receive merit scholarships based on their abilities, skills and accomplishments without regard to gender, race, ethnicity or religious preference. The seven finalists include Elizabeth Hone, Elizabeth Kim, Ethan Myer, Alejandro Ortiz, Allen and Robert Zhang and Stepan Zarkov. NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit…

A 28-year-old man suspected in a September aggravated assault which resulted in shots fired near Aggieville was arrested by Riley County Police Wednesday. Travell Hairston is charged with aggravated assault, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal damage to property in the September 15 incident in the 1300 block of Fremont Street. There were no reported injuries. The incident occurred in a parking lot where a house party was going on. The arrest report also lists a probation violation charge in addition to two failure to comply with traffic citation charges. Hairston was jailed on a total $12,500 bond but…

Kansas State University officials have responded to a watchdog report linking a new student organization on campus to a white nationalist movement. In an email to KMAN Thursday, Vice President for communications and marketing Jeff Morris said the university has nothing in its guidelines to regulate against white nationalism and says America First Students is an independent student organization, not operated or controlled by the university. Morris’ statement reads: “Kansas State University has a long and proud history of commitment to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate in all matters. Every member of the university community shares in the responsibility…

A multi-vehicle wreck near a busy Manhattan intersection disrupted traffic and sent at least one person to the hospital Wednesday evening. The Kansas Highway Patrol says two passenger cars, a Nissan Altima and a Mercury Grand Marquis and a semi truck were stopped at a red light in the southbound lanes of Tuttle Creek Blvd. north of Kimball Ave. just before 5:30 p.m. A fourth vehicle, a GMC Acadia could not stop as it came to the intersection and struck one of the vehicles, causing a chain reaction. One of two passengers in the Nissan, 25-year-old Brianna Porter of Manhattan…

TOPEKA — Manhattan Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Usha Reddi testified Tuesday in favor of a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for reporting childhood sexual abuse in civil suits. “Kansas is on the right side of the law, having no statute of limitations for criminal sexual abuse, and it should do the same in civil suits. Sexual abuse is about power and in cases of sexual abuse, it’s usually someone you trust,” she said. Speaking before the House Judiciary Committee, Reddi shared her own experience as a survivor of child sexual abuse and how she was able…

A status hearing has been reset for an 18-year-old Manhattan man accused of attempted murder. Jalen Gill appeared in court Tuesday afternoon, where a new status hearing was set for March 10 at 1 p.m. in front of Judge William Malcolm. Gill was previously jailed on a $150,000 bond, which was lowered to $75,000 by the judge. Gill has since been released and is being represented by the Public Defender’s office. Court documents allege Gill fired a gun Jan. 29 inside an occupied dwelling, injuring another person. The victim in the case was treated and released from the hospital. Gill…

Riley County 4H will offer its fourth annual youth entrepreneurship challenge in March and are currently looking for the next talented young Riley County students to participate. Riley County K-State Extension 4H Agent John Jobe says the event challenges students with prospective business ideas to present them in front of a panel of judges. “I throw it out there every year and certainly pitch it to our young participants as Shark Tank for high school kids. I encounter on a regular basis so many young people that have that entrepreneurial spirit, business minded, but they don’t have a place for…

If you’re wondering why your pet’s breath smells bad, it could be periodontal disease going untreated, the most common clinical condition in cats and dogs. But it is preventable with just a few extra steps taken by pet owners to initiate better oral health with their pets. Dr. Marjory Artzer is an assistant professor of small animal dentistry with the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She says pets, like humans need to have their teeth brushed daily. “The more you can do, the better it is because you’re just washing the daily plaque away, just like for you…

Touting a message of optimism for Kansas farmers, 1st District Congressman and current Republican Senate candidate Roger Marshall spoke to a gathering at the annual Young Farmers & Ranchers Leaders Conference Saturday at the Manhattan Conference Center. The conference was sponsored by Kansas Farm Bureau. Marshall says after an eventful and historic week, which saw President Trump deliver his State of the Union address, then get acquitted in the Senate impeachment trial, there is a lot he and the administration can be proud of. Marshall says the focus now continues on potential trade agreements to benefit Kansas agricultural markets including…