Author: Brandon Peoples

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) A computer software engineer accused of plotting cyberattacks on websites criticizing a Wichita attorney’s work has notified the court he plans to change his plea. A docket notation on Wednesday in U.S. District Court says VIRAL Artificial Intelligence co-founder David Dorsett is set for a change-of-plea hearing on Oct. 21 in Wichita. Dorsett and Wichita lawyer Bradley Pistotnik pleaded not guilty last year to federal charges of computer fraud and conspiracy. Pistotnik is also charged with making false statements to the FBI. The indictment alleges that Pistotnik and Dorsett are responsible for cyberattacks on Leagle.com, Ripoffreport.com and…

A special USD 378 Riley County board meeting is scheduled for Monday evening to discuss the proposed $15 million bond referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot. A bond history, overview and a time for questions will be on Monday’s agenda. The proposed bond addresses issues of safety and security and would include several building repairs and upgrades to both the Riley County grade school/middle school building and Riley County High School. That includes a storm shelter at the grade school, new classrooms to replace all modular units and an elevator for the 1929 building as well as a new middle…

Hotel occupancy rates through the first three quarters of 2019 are up slightly over last year in the city of Manhattan. The city saw a 64 percent occupancy rate through August, according to Convention & Visitors Bureau Director Karen Hibbard, who presented figures to the city commission Tuesday evening. That included $18.9 million in revenues during that time span, up from $18.5 million in 2018. Hibbard said the best week of the third quarter was the final week of September which saw a 75 percent occupancy rate. “That week we hosted the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, we had several global…

U.S. Senate candidate Kris Kobach was in Manhattan Monday for a speaking engagement with K-State Young Republicans. Kobach, one of several GOP candidates declared in the 2020 race, spoke with News Radio KMAN prior to his talk at K-State Monday. You can hear the full interview below: The former Kansas Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate says since last year’s defeat he’s found new motivation to run for office. Kobach says the country has hit a turning point in politics. “This upcoming election in 2020 is a real turning point in terms of whether the president stays in office, whether…

A new trial date is now set for a Manhattan man accused in the 2018 death of his former girlfriend’s 2-month-old son. At a status conference Monday in Riley County District Court, a Jan. 13 date was set in the case of 23-year-old D’Khari Lyons, charged with first-degree murder in the death of Michael Calvert, Jr. Judge Meryl Wilson will preside over the trial, which has been set for five days. The state and the defense agreed to have juror questionnaires mailed out before the end of the year. Last month, a jury was unable to render a verdict, resulting…

Marlatt Elementary was evacuated for a short time Friday after a fire alarm and sprinklers were activated in the building’s cafeteria and kitchen. According to the Manhattan Fire Department, a sprinkler head activated from an oven being opened which activated a heat sensor in the kitchen. There was no fire reported. Fire officials cleared the building and students were evacuated for about 30 minutes before returning to class a short time before 1 p.m. The school said via its Facebook page it was bringing food to classrooms for any students who missed lunch. At the same time firefighters also responded…

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran and First District Representative Roger Marshall were in the Manhattan area Thursday touting trade, education and what Washington is and isn’t doing right. On education Sen. Moran toured Riley County High School in what he says was a chance to discuss with teachers and administrators. He says one thing being worked on in education is determining appropriations for government policies that, while he says are noble and good in theory, may leave a heavy financial burden on the states tasked with implementing them. “What do we do to fund, to pay for the things the federal…

Two months after it became aware of a data breach, HyVee is providing more information about its payment card incident that may have compromised some customers’ information, including in Manhattan. In a statement Thursday, the grocery chain said the data breach affected customers who used their credit and debit cards between Dec. 14, 2018 and July 29, 2019. It’s created a look-up module, available at hy-vee.com/paymentcardincident where you can search for the state and city of HyVee stores and the timeframes related to the incident. For example, a search of the Manhattan HyVee location shows only the Market Grille was…

Riley County Police arrested a Junction City man Wednesday for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman. According to RCPD spokesperson Hali Rowland, officers were called out just before 3 p.m. after a 41-year-old woman reported a known male suspect pointed a gun at her in the 1900 block of Strong Ave. in Manhattan. Officers arrested 56-year-old Oliver Raglin Jr. in connection on an offense of aggravated assault. Raglin Jr. was issued a total bond of $5,000.00. Raglin Jr. was not confined at the time of this report.

The Flint Hills Breadbasket is currently in a dire need of replenishment. The food pantry, which provides food to those in need in the Manhattan area had an additional 579 vouchers go out to families across the area this compared to last year. Those vouchers don’t necessarily mean that they are providing 579 meals, but rather an entire week’s worth of food for an entire family, regardless of size. Breadbasket Executive Director Maribeth Kieffer says those vouchers provide a lot of food for families. “That’s 3 meals a day for seven days, whether it’s a family of one, five, six…