Author: Brandon Peoples

Fire investigators have ruled a Tuesday morning apartment fire in southwest Manhattan to be accidental. The Manhattan Fire Department says it’s believed the fire at 711 Allison Avenue started due to improper disposal of smoking materials. The fire started on the third-floor balcony of the three-story 12-unit apartment building around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Damage occurred mostly to the exterior and attic areas. The loss is estimated at $30,000 to the structure and $2,000 to the contents. No one was injured as a result of the fire. The owner is listed as Francis Properties, with the resident agent being listed as…

ONAGA, Kan. — One person was killed Sunday as the result of a UTV wreck in rural Pottawatomie County. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office says it was notified of an injury accident reported in the area of Onaga Road and Crevecoeur Road, north of Onaga shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday. Emergency officials located the overturned vehicle in a ditch. The vehicle had been occupied by three people. An investigation determined the vehicle was northbound on Onaga Road when it entered the ditch and overturned. The driver, 55-year-old Brad Marten of Onaga died at the scene. Authorities say 49-year-old Tony Kuehl…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — For the first time since Pottawatomie County Administrator Robert Reece announced his retirement, the county commission was tasked with discussing the next steps in filling the position during their Monday meeting. HR Director Crystal Malchosa presented commissioners with an estimate of hiring a third party search committee to recruit for the position. The county is currently a member of third-party firm ICMA which was presented as the most cost-efficient. “We’re already a member of ICMA and they range anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000 to do the recruitment for the administrator position,” Malchosa said. Commission Chair Travis Altenhofen…

In just a matter of one month, the water levels at Tuttle Creek Reservoir have dropped significantly. On June 26, the lake was sitting at 1,132.70 feet, with just 10 percent of flood capacity available. As of July 26, the level was at 1,117.56 and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had  opened up 43 percent of flood pool capacity. By Sunday the level had dropped to 1,115.77 (20 feet below its 2019 peak of 1,135.88 set May 31). It’s the lowest level since April 15 when the lake was at 1,115.74. But the drop in the lake level is…

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — A suspect fleeing police on a motorcycle was hospitalized after exiting Interstate 70 and overturning. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 22-year-old Connor Arthur Amiot, of Junction City, was westbound on I-70 Saturday at around 12:40 a.m., fleeing from law enforcement on a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle. After taking exit 301 at a high rate of speed, Amiot lost control of the bike and overturned. Amiot was transported to Irwin Army Community Hospital with a suspected minor injury. The crash log report says he was wearing a helmet. Formal charges against Amiot haven’t been released.

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — No injuries were reported after an early Saturday morning structure fire in Junction City. According to the Junction City Fire Department, the call came in around 2:15 a.m. for a house fire at 336 West 1st Street. The first arriving units reported smoke showing from a side window. Upon entering the building’s front door, crews battled fire in the home’s living room, dining room and front bedroom. Fire officials say the building was vacant at the time of the fire. Kansas Gas and Westar were notified to secure utilities. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.…

TOPEKA, Kan. — Nine Kansas counties have been approved for addition to the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration including Riley County. FEMA notified the state this week that President Donald Trump had approved Governor Laura Kelly’s request to add those counties to the declaration for the incident period between April 28 and July 12. Heavy rains caused rivers and lakes to rise with several locations still inundated with water. That included Tuttle Creek Lake, which reached near capacity May 31 at a level of 1,135.88 feet. Gov. Kelly said in a release from the Adjutant General’s Office Thursday that…

There’s no shortage of talent at the 2019 Riley County Fair. Activities opened Thursday and continue through July 29. News Radio KMAN has been speaking with local 4-H youth showing a wide array of projects. Many of them say 4-H has been a major benefit to shaping who they are today. Chanaye Parker Manhattan High Junior Chanaye Parker is in her ninth year with Riley County 4-H. She has projects entered in foods, photography and art. For the last three months she’s also been caring for a lamb which she says she’s showing at this year’s fair. Parker says shearing…

Riley County Police are attempting to locate a 33-year-old Manhattan man who eluded police after a pursuit in Manhattan. The department says they attempted to perform a welfare check on Jesse Sexton after a request from family who are concerned for his safety. Sexton fled police on a motorcycle. Witness reported seeing the motorcyclist fleeing past Marlatt Elementary School late Thursday morning. Officers called off the pursuit. Anyone with information should contact RCPD at 785-537-2112 or Riley County Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777.

Thursday’s program opened with a preview of the Kaw Valley Rodeo with announcer Racer Botkin. We also spoke with Riley County Seniors’ Service Center Director Jami Ramsey and new program coordinator Liz Nelson about events coming up in August. Lastly, Robbin Cole, Executive Director of Pawnee Mental Health discussed STARS Camp, Presenting Pawnee and a campaign to be launched in October for the organization.