Author: Brandon Peoples

No arrests have been made after Riley County Police were alerted Wednesday to a Snapchat post depicting two Manhattan High West Campus students holding what appeared to be a gun and making threatening statements. A preliminary investigation indicates the video posted by a 15-year-old male and 15-year-old female, was directed at two other Manhattan High students, a separate 15-year-old male and a 17-year-old male. Police say with the help of USD 383, all involved parties, including parents of the four students have been contacted. RCPD Capt. Josh Kyle tells KMAN this incident is a teachable moment. The video did not include any…

A week into the new school year, transportation concerns have been aplenty for parents of students in Manhattan/Ogden Schools. Road construction has caused significant challenges for some getting to and from school. Most recently for students at Marlatt Elementary, a temporary crosswalk had to be installed at Kimball Ave. and Kenmar, due to the closure at the Browning Ave. intersection. USD 383 school board member Jurdene Coleman says sign up sheets are available on the Marlatt PTO Facebook page for temporary crossing guards to assist at that intersection. Those who volunteer can pick up a vest at the school. Meanwhile,…

The Manhattan Regional Airport is currently fond of the number 10. The airport is celebrating 10 years of American Airlines regional jet service with a cake cutting ceremony, conveniently set for 10 a.m. Friday in the terminal lobby. It’s also launching a 10-month-long campaign and contest for prizes. The public is welcome to attend. Since Aug. 25, 2009, American Airlines has provided service from Manhattan, growing from a single destination to Dallas-Forth Worth and grew to include Chicago O’Hare over the past decade. Passenger boardings have also increased from about 10,000 to over 70,000 enplanements and setting a record in…

Two survivors of clergy sex abuse were in Manhattan Tuesday calling on more transparency from the Salina Diocese when it comes to allegations of clergy sex abuse. Holding signs for the bishop to “come clean” outside of Seven Dolors Catholic Parish in Manhattan, David Clohessy and Larry Davis represent the support group SNAP (which stands for Surviors Network of those Abused by Priests). They are particularly critical of Salina Bishop Gerald Vincke, who in March posted a list of 14 credibly accused clerics who are or were in the diocese. Clohessy says they believe the list is incomplete and disagree…

A Riley County District Court Judge has continued a status hearing for a Manhattan man accused of sex crimes involving three underage victims. Robert Iacobellis appeared via video conference Tuesday from his jail cell without an attorney present. He informed Judge William Malcolm he’d been attempting to have his attorney of the past 18 years, Richard Seaton represent him in this case. That has fallen through to this point as he told the judge he had not heard back from Seaton after making initial contact earlier this month following his Aug. 2 arrest. Seaton did not appear at Tuesday’s hearing.…

A protest is planned Tuesday afternoon outside the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan which will include clergy sex abuse victims and their supporters. The group called SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) say they’ll protest Salina Bishop Gerald Vincke’s refusal to release a full list of child molesting clerics. In March, Vincke posted a list of 14 credibly accused clerics who are or were in his diocese. The SNAP group says three credibly accused clerics were left off that list including Fr. Ronald Sam Gilardi, the late Fr. Thaddeus Posey and Fr. Donald McCarthy. The Salina Diocese…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — The Pottawatomie County Comprehensive Plan (a.k.a. Plan Pottawatomie 2040) was adopted Monday. The Board of County Commissioners voted 2-1 to approve the plan which serves as a guide to planning development in the county through 2040. Commission Chair Travis Altenhofen, who served on the steering committee, was the only commissioner to oppose the 119-page plan, which cost the county more than $158,000 to conduct. Commissioner Dee McKee praised the plan, noting it gives the county’s planning crews more guidance over the next 20 years. McKee questioned Altenhofen’s reasoning for going against the plan. Pat Weixelman agreed that…

A status conference is scheduled Tuesday for a 60-year-old Manhattan restaurant owner accused of sex crimes involving three separate victims. Robert Iacobellis was arrested Aug. 2. He faces one count of rape and two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. A complaint filed through Riley County District Court alleges sometime in 2014 Iacobellis had sexual intercourse with a female victim who was 11 years old at the time. The complaint also alleges that sometime in January 2018 he fondled a female victim who was 10 years old at the time. The third allegation says sometime in January 2018…

Severe storms pushed through the region last night, knocking out power briefly to more than two thousand Manhattan residents. The storm dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain throughout most of the area, in addition to hail up to golf-ball size and prompted overnight flash flood warnings. Storms intensified further south. In Wabaunsee County, a few tornado warnings were issued last night, with some brief touchdowns noted by storm spotters near Volland and Eskridge. An official with the Wabaunsee County Sheriff’s Office tells KMAN the storms didn’t cause any widespread damage as most of the impact was over rural areas…

You may notice more activity happening on Bluemont Hill above the iconic MANHATTAN letters. Work began this week on a new ADA accessible platform to enhance safety for those who visit the area for the view of the city. It’s a project funded by the Manhattan Kiwanis Club. The Manhattan Kiwanis Club has maintained the letters for over 91 years and in recent years raised more than $70,000 to create a platform at the overlook. Past Kiwanis President Rod Kalivoda says members go up there twice a year to power wash the letters and noticed some treacherous areas surrounding the…