Author: Brandon Peoples

A message of rural prosperity was shared Thursday in Manhattan as Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers stopped by the 2019 Governor’s Ag Summit. The two-day summit, which concluded Friday at the Manhattan Conference Center featured close to 500 agriculture industry officials coming together to speak about issues important to the state’s largest industry. Rogers says during the 2018 campaign, he and Gov. Laura Kelly heard often from rural communities that they felt under served by state lawmakers in Topeka. Rogers was tasked with heading up the state’s Office for Rural Prosperity and completed a listening tour through 12 cities, visiting countless…

4:30 p.m. Friday update Manhattan Public Works crews have had their hands full in the wake of flooding that occurred early Friday morning in the city. Between 4 to 5 inches of rain fell in a short matter of time, causing street flooding in Manhattan, a house fire caused by lightning and significant deterioration of roads in central and east Manhattan. Additional rainfall is expected on Saturday. Moderate flooding also occurred on Wildcat Creek, cresting at 17 feet but no evacuations were issued, though Poliska Lane was closed. One resident, who lives on Woodduck Ave. near Wildcat Creek west of…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — A Pottawatomie County Judge has denied a motion to reconsider charges against a 52-year-old St. Marys man initially charged with a host of sex crimes involving his children. At a preliminary hearing Friday afternoon in Westmoreland, Judge Jeff Elder upheld his previous ruling to dismiss several charges against Peter Palmeri, due to the statute of limitations running out. Palmeri was charged in July with two counts of rape, six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, one count of aggravated kidnapping and one count of furnishing alcohol to a minor.…

A familiar voice in Manhattan is being honored for his career in broadcasting. Dave Lewis, longtime Program Director for News Radio KMAN and a staple of the Manhattan community since 1991 will enter the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame later this year. Lewis was nominated by former Manhattan Broadcasting GM Rich Wartell, a 2005 inductee, who touted Lewis’ commitment to local issues. Wartell says in addition to being the voice of Manhattan, Lewis has dabbled in a number of charitable events in the community. Those include the Flint Hills Breadbasket, which he co-founded with the late Shirley Bramhall…

Lightning is blamed for sparking an overnight house fire in Manhattan. Shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, the Manhattan Fire Department was alerted to a structure fire at 2704 Brookville Drive. Upon arrival, they found light smoke showing and an investigation revealed fire in the attic, which was contained within 10 minutes. Thunderstorms were moving through the area at the time and the fire was determined to have started as the result of lightning hitting the home. Three people inside the home were able to escape without injury. Loss is estimated at $60,000 to the structure and $1,000 to the contents.…

The Kansas State University pumped up the crowd on night one of Purple Power Play in the Park Thursday night as hundreds packed Manhattan City Park. The event featured a number of vendors, giveaways and activities for the kids. The crowd was also greeted by new K-State head football coach Chris Klieman who says his guys are excited and ready for the 2019 season. Klieman also thanked fans for their continued support and says they hope to pack Bill Snyder Family Stadium Saturday. Purple Power Play in the Park continues this evening with Six Mile Creek taking the stage at…

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two people are dead and two others are injured after a crash near the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane. The accident happened around 1:30 p.m. Thursday and involved two vehicles. Names of the victims and details about what caused the accident have not been released. KAKE-TV reports that one of the injured people is in critical condition. The other person’s injuries are being called serious. Mulvane is about 17 miles south of Wichita.

Manhattan Mayor Tempore Usha Reddi is running for U.S. Senate. The six-year veteran of the Manhattan City Commission made the official announcement Thursday morning via her campaign Facebook page. She’s seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination for the seat currently occupied by five-term Senator Pat Roberts, who is retiring. Reddi says her experience at the local level of government and as an educator benefits her greatly going forward. Reddi says workforce and economic development are important to her. She wants to see more pathways to better careers created and says that begins with improved access to healthcare, mental illness, economic development…

Officers filed a report for vehicle burglary in the 2500 block of Buttonwood Dr. in Manhattan on August 28, 2019, at approximately 1:30 PM. Officers listed a 23-year-old male as the victim when he reported an unknown suspect took his Macbook Air, backpack, book and water bottle. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $1,070.00. Police ask that anyone with information please contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00. Officers filed a report…

Riley County Police say two teenagers are in custody after making felony criminal threats in posts on social media. A 15-year-old male was arrested Wednesday morning on three counts of aggravated criminal threat, criminal use of a firearm, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and vehicle burglary. A 15-year-old female was also arrested on two counts of aggravated criminal threat and criminal use of a firearm. Thursday morning’s arrest report identifies the teens as Malachi Fielder and Ladaisha Ransom. The arrests follow an Aug. 22 news release from RCPD that said the teens made threatening messages on Snapchat and…