Author: Brandon Peoples

The Kansas Forest Service, located in Manhattan, has announced Jason Hartman as its new state forester for the agency. Hartman, the agency’s assistant fire management officer for the past 15 years, takes over the position Dec. 29. He’ll replace Larry Biles who has been in the role since 2008, and is retiring after four decades in forestry. The Kansas Forest Service serves the public with conservation tree and shrub planting, fire management, community forestry, rural forestry, marketing and utilization and forest health. Hartman will lead a staff of 30 employees in the agency’s headquarters at Kansas State University. His past…

Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Travis Altenhofen will officially resign his office January 10. Altenhofen, who was elected to the commission in 2016, was offered a promotion at his employer following the death of his boss earlier this year. That complicated his ability to dedicate the necessary time to public service. On KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday, the 30-year-old Altenhofen said his time on the commission has been an eye-opening experience he’s been blessed to have. Altenhofen says he’s most proud of his most recent introduction to the commission this week, the beginning works of a draft document that prioritizes long-term spending…

OGDEN, Kan. — With students out of school for winter break, USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Schools is reminding families where students in the district can get free lunch. In Ogden, free lunch is being served to all children 1-18 at Ogden Elementary. Lunch is offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 26, 27, 30, 31 as well as Jan. 2 and 3. The district provides this as a service to the community especially for students and families that struggle with food insecurity this time of year. The district encourages families whose household income or family size has changed to…

Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo has filed for re-election. Vargo has been County Clerk since first getting elected in 1997. He’s stated repeatedly over the years how much he enjoys working for the county and serving in public office. Originally from Kanopolis, he’s been a Riley County resident since 1986. In the past year, Vargo oversaw the installation of new, more secure voting machines at polling places countywide. The upgrade resulted in over $1 million in new technology. The machine includes a voter-verifiable paper audit trail. Vargo began his career with Riley County in the treasurer’s office upon receiving his…

The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce is hoping to build off its strategic planning effort after receiving a significant boost in its Economic Development contract with the City of Manhattan. Earlier this week, the city approved that and the Fort Riley Promotion contracts for 2020 and 2021, adding an additional $350,000 each year. Doing so brings the total contract to just under $500,000. Chamber President and CEO Jason Smith says there are three key areas encompassed in that plan. The second area is talent sustainability, encouraging would-be workers to stay in the area with competitive paying jobs. The third area of…

OGDEN, Kan. — Riley County Police have charged an Ogden teen after he apparently tried to set another teen on fire. Police say 16-year-old Armando Velazquez was arrested Thursday in the 400 block of Clydesdale Drive on charges of attempted aggravated battery and criminal use of explosives. The police report says Velazquez attempted to use body spray and a lighter on him. It’s unclear if there was a motive or a confrontation that led to the incident. Velazquez was booked into Riley County Jail without bond.

The hunting season has wrapped up in the search for the second G. Thomas Jewelers – Godfrey’s Tactical Supply Jingle Bell Rock. Manhattan couple Blake Kitchens and his wife Tonya found the rock near the tennis courts by a tree in the Wamego recreation complex, telling the KMAN Morning Show, the clue they heard Friday morning led them right to it. This is their first time finding the rock, in what’s become an annual tradition for them. They’re looking forward to their haul of cash and prizes provided by area sponsors. Tonya explains the moment she made the discovery. The…

Kansas State University students will pay a little more for food and housing next fall. The Kansas Board of Regents voted Wednesday to increase the rate of a double occupancy room and limited dining option by 0.4 percent at K-State from $9,440 to $9,480 for the 2020-21 academic year. The rate is the third highest in the state, behind the University of Kansas ($9,700) and Wichita State ($11,110). All other public universities aside from those two saw an increase. KU’s rate dropped while Wichita State’s stayed the same. Housing is also going up at K-State next fall, with most traditional…

The Manhattan City Commission has paved the way for improvements at College and Kimball Ave. as part of its North Campus Corridor improvement project. Wildcat Construction on Tuesday was awarded a $7.5 million construction contract, with BG Consultants receiving $130,500 for engineering services.The project will include complete pavement removal and replacement, widening of Kimball Ave. to six lanes with double turn lanes and longer left-hand turn lanes along College Ave. The total estimate on the project is $43 million over the next 14 years, including $20 million for street improvements and $23 million for landscaping and beautification of the area.…

Riley County Police are advising people to be aware of a computer scam after an elderly victim lost nearly $20,000. RCPD says the 84-year-old man reported Tuesday an unknown suspect scammed him out of money for approximately $19,500. Anyone with information should call police or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Educating neighbors, family and friends is key. RCPD says there are about five common scams they see. The holiday time can be big business for scammers. * Computer Scam – Someone sends you a link that contains a virus which locks your computer. They say they will unlock it for…