Author: Brandon Peoples

A man arrested last summer as part of a police investigation into Fentanyl distribution in the Manhattan area was recently sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. Caziah Self, 22, entered a plea agreement with Riley County prosecutors in February to five total counts including unlawful distribution of Fentanyl, and four separate possession charges. The charges are tied to an incident from last June. Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson says Self was sentenced March 25 to 158 months for the distribution of 2,800 Oxycodone pills; 11 months for possession of Fentanyl; 16 months for two criminal firearm possession charges…

A Topeka man is jailed in Riley County in connection to a drug-related overdose death. The Riley County Police Department says 35-year-old Robert Boyles, Jr. was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for distribution of a controlled substance causing death. He’s additionally charged with distributing an opiate and use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony. The charges stem from an August 2021 overdose death involving a 36-year-old woman. Boyles is jailed on a $500,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing and police are urging individuals with information to come forward to assist law enforcement authorities.

The Riley County Planning and Zoning Appeals Board Monday denied a request by Evergy to construct an electrical switch station in the southern part of the county along McDowell Creek Road. The motion to deny was 4-0 and followed a two hour public hearing, which included opposition from several neighboring property owners in the Ashland Bottoms area. The proposed site is north of the location where Evergy had previously proposed such a facility, but ultimately was denied last May. Board member Eric Peck shared concerns tied to possible future expansion of the switching station. Board member Jack Platt also agreed the…

Three people are behind bars following an investigation into illegal narcotics in the Northview area of Manhattan. According to the Riley County Police Department, a search warrant was executed just after 6 p.m. Monday in the 2400 block of Charolais Lane. Police arrested 21-year-old Derrick Duncan, 38-year-old Anthony Edwards and 36-year-old Brittany Clark, all of Manhattan, in connection to numerous drug-related offenses. Duncan is charged with the most serious offense, distribution of a controlled substance causing death. All three are facing multiple distribution and possession charges, including charges of distributing opiates within 1,000 feet of a school. (Full charges can…

It’s a been a busy few days for Geary County and Junction City Fire officials. On Monday, a house was destroyed by fire in the 13000 block of Lower McDowell Creek Road. A couple living in the home got out safely, along with one dog, but Fire Chief Garry Berges confirmed one animal died in the fire. The house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to assist with an investigation Tuesday into the cause of the fire. A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available. The Red Cross is also assisting. On Friday,…

Significant progress has been made on a wildfire spanning portions of northern Riley and Pottawatomie County, with fire officials noting Monday the area is about 80% contained. Personnel from both Riley and Pottawatomie County fire districts, along with Kansas Forest Service held a joint news conference from the Blue Valley High School football field, moments after a black hawk helicopter landed, dropping off some of those personnel from assessing the situation. Deputy Riley County Fire Chief Doug Russell… Pottawatomie County Fire Chief Jared Barnes says the fire, which began as a controlled burn Friday afternoon, quickly became out of control,…

9 p.m. Sunday update After two days fighting a wildfire in northern Riley and Pottawatomie counties, firefighters and emergency crews have made some progress. In Pottawatomie County, officials say the evacuation notice has been lifted and residents were able to return home. The main fire remains located north of Cleburn Road and west of Shannon Creek Road. The fire is estimated to be 50% contained. No injuries have been reported and no structures or livestock have been lost. Crews will be back out Monday to make sure all hot spots have been extinguished. In Riley County, multiple agencies have…

The USD 378 Board of education filled two open seats Thursday evening. Stephanie Swiercinsky and Kevin Kenney were appointed to fill seats previously held by Nathan Mead and Justin Ricketts, who both resigned on March 4. The two were interviewed during a special school board meeting Thursday evening at Riley County High School. Earlier in the meeting the board also agreed to pay $1,824 to Ness County Sheriff Brandon Mitchell for investigative services for a previous alleged Kansas Open Meetings Act violation, prompted by board president Samantha Brown. The vote was 4-1 and taken before the two new appointments were…

Two serious injuries were reported after a three vehicle crash near the intersection of Seth Child and Claflin Road Wednesday afternoon. Authorities from the Riley County Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Manhattan Public Works were called out just after 2 p.m. and remained on scene for close to an hour, directing traffic, after a Big Lakes Developmental Center bus and two other vehicles collided. The crash sent three people to the hospital, with what were initially viewed as non-life-threatening injuries. However, according to the RCPD, two of the patients were later transported via life-flight to Stormont Vail Health Center…

A Manhattan man is behind bars in connection to drug distribution resulting in death. The Riley County Police Department says 22-year-old Daron Marsean Island-Jones was arrested Tuesday, charged with distribution of opiates, dissemination of a controlled substance resulting in fatality and utilization of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation. The charges stem from a June 2023 incident involving an overdose death of a 25-year-old unidentified Manhattan resident. Police say the investigation into this and other Fentanyl-related overdoses remain active and ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact RCPD.