Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police are attempting to identify a group of individuals potentially linked to the theft of more than 30 electronic devices from the Manhattan Best Buy store. A post on the RCPD Facebook page Sunday night showed surveillance photos of five suspects, two men and three women. The photos were reportedly from Nov. 16, but the crime was reported by the company this week. The total loss is estimated at $3,600. Anyone with information to help identify the suspects should call RCPD or Crime Stoppers. Additional surveillance photos are below.

The tradition of lighting up Manhattan continued again Friday evening as the Mayor’s Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade brought thousands out for a little Christmas cheer. That is the sound of the Kansas State University Marching Band as they marched down Moro Street. Starting at Manhattan Town Center, the parade sparkled down Poyntz Avenue, through Aggieville, ultimately ending in Triangle Park where the newly planted mayor’s Christmas tree was lit. The annual parade is also an opportunity to stock the Flint Hills Breadbasket. “This is the 38th food drive fundraiser that Manhattan has sponsored. It’s also the 18th parade,…

UPDATE: Saturday 6 a.m. RCPD located 13-year-old Eylisa Bowles late Friday night. Police did not say where she was located but that she was okay after having been reported missing Thursday night from her home. Original story Riley County Police are searching for a runaway child from northern Riley County. Police said Friday 13-year-old Eylisa Bowles was last seen at her home in 20000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd Thursday evening around 9 p.m. She’s believed to be driving a 2003 Mitsubushi Eclipse convertible with a dark-colored hood and bumper with white body. It’s also missing the front, driver’s side…

This holiday season will be the final one for the Manhattan Meat Market. The business’ management team announced on its Facebook page Friday it’s closing at the end of December, due to other endeavors and priorities. The company had been part of the Manhattan business community for three years, priding itself on high quality, specialty meats and sharing local producers’ stories. Customers with gift cards are encouraged to come in and use them before the end of the year. Holiday orders are still being accepted through the end of the year as well.

The National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan continues to make new hires as the facility is now three years out from becoming fully operational. On Thursday’s edition of In Focus, NBAF officials introduced new Communications Director Katie Pawlosky, who began training with NBAF just a few weeks ago. Pawlosky spoke about the important role NBAF is going to play in the community and attracting jobs going forward. NBAF Director for USDA APHIS Dr. Ken Burton says this opens a new opportunity to do even more outreach. Burton says additionally some NBAF employees have formed an inclusive council on engagement…

A new police chief is taking over in Junction City. It was announced at Wednesday’s city commission meeting that John Lamb is replacing the recently retired Dan Breci. For 26 years, Lamb has served the Jacksonville, Florida Sheriff’s Department. He most recently served as Police Lieutenant over the Patrol and Community Affairs Unit and was an Assistant Chief in the department. Lamb said in a release it’s been a long-term goal of his to serve as Police Chief in a community like Junction City, committed to its police department. A start date for Chief Lamb has not been announced.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY— USD 330 Mission Valley Schools officials are working closely with members of the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office after a pair of alleged threats this week at the school. One student was taken into custody Tuesday after the district alerted parents to a reported threat. According to Sheriff Rob Hoskins it involved a student making a threat to another student. The individual taken into custody was not named but is reportedly getting the attention they need. The school district contacted the sheriff’s office Monday with concerns about a social media threat. Deputies and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated and…

Who says you can’t move a fake holiday? Businesses in Aggieville are already making preparations well in advance of the 2020 edition of Fake Patty’s Day. The event, largely driven by social media, is typically held the Saturday before the K-State Spring Break. That would be Feb. 29 this year, which also happens to be the same day as the KU vs. K-State basketball game. That presents a dilemma for business owners as it could overwhelm them with the two events intersecting. That’s why Aggieville Business Association Director Dennis Cook says they will observe Fake Patty’s Day after Spring Break on…

An Ogden man will spend the next year-and-a-half on probation after pleading to charges of meth possession and firing a gun near a school earlier this year. Court records show that 41-year-old Justin Bauer pleaded no contest in late September to possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a weapon and unlawful discharge of a firearm. The Manhattan Mercury reports that Riley County District Judge Kendra Lewison on Monday sentenced Bauer to 18 months of probation, with an underlying sentence of 10 months for the possession charge and six months for each weapons-related charge. Bauer was arrested in April…

The case against a Manhattan restaurant owner charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse will move forward. A status hearing Tuesday was cancelled in the case against Robert Iacobellis. Officials tell KMAN there was no need for the hearing, which had originally been scheduled due to an issue with a motion for discovery. That issue was resolved and the case is now set for a 2-day preliminary hearing Jan 9th and 10th. The prosecution has requested an all-day setting both days. Iacobellis is facing 130 total counts of sex-related crimes against three alleged victims, all under the age of 18.…