Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

It’s being called one of the largest federal drug busts in Kansas history. At a news conference Wednesday in Topeka, US Attorney for Kansas Stephen McAllister announced that 54 people have been indicted on federal charges as a result of a three-year drug trafficking investigation involving heroin and fentanyl concentrated in the Manhattan area. So far, 35 are in custody, with more arrests to come. McAllister says one of the 13 grand jury indictments announced Wednesday charges five conspirators in connection with the 2017 death of 18-year-old Kansas State University student Maxwell Dandaneau. Michael Calvert, Sylvester Calvert, Henry Clark, James…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — A preliminary hearing is scheduled Friday in Pottawatomie County District Court for a 52-year-old St. Marys man accused of sex crimes with a minor. Peter Palmeri was arrested July 9 on a warrant for 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. He and his attorney filed a motion in July to dismiss the charges, alleging the statute of limitations had run out. At a continued hearing August 22, the court ruled…

A Manhattan man accused of sex crimes involving three underage victims, appeared via his Riley County jail cell for a continued status conference, with no attorney present. Robert Iacobellis informed Judge William Malcolm that his long-time attorney Richard Seaton declined to represent him against the charges and that his family is speaking with two other potential attorneys this week. Judge Malcolm encouraged him to apply for court appointed counsel in the alternative, and granted him another one week continuance to 1 p.m. September 3. Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson said the state was not opposed to the continuance. Iacobellis requested…