Author: Brandon Peoples

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Court of Appeals has reversed a Riley County District Court order denying a soldier’s motion to set aside a default judgment after a creditor sued him for breach of contract. Brian McNair of Manhattan defaulted on a car loan through Coastal Credit, LLC in 2014. The car was repossessed and sold and the company sued him for more than $8,800 plus interest. McNair, who was deployed in Africa with the U.S. Army at the time was never personally served the summons and petition. Instead that was delivered to his wife at the couple’s Manhattan residence,…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — A 24-year-old Wamego man convicted last month of murder will learn his fate at a 9 a.m. hearing Friday in Pottawatomie County District Court. Cody Lamia-Beck entered a no contest plea and was subsequently found guilty of intentional second-degree murder of Jacob Bouck. Evidence showed Bouck sustained multiple stab wounds and Lamia-Beck’s DNA was found on a homemade hatchet that was located along with two knives. There was also a confession consistent with the evidence found at the crime scene. Bouck was reported missing Dec. 21. Deputies found his body along the Kansas River west of Wamego…

A tentative agreement has been reached on teacher contracts for the 2019-2020 school year between the Manhattan-Odgen USD 383 school district and the Manhattan-Odgen NEA. The district said in a Thursday release that the tentative agreement was reached July 11. The Board of Education will vote on ratification following a ratification vote by teachers. The two sides have been in negotiations since April. The new contract includes: *A 6.5 percent total compensation package increase *Increase of $1,750 on the base salary, bringing the starting annual salary for a teacher to $41,000 *Allowed steps and movement on salary schedule *Continued coverage…

Riley County Police were called out to Redbud Estates Wednesday night after emergency dispatchers reported receiving multiple calls for shots fired in the 2500 block of Farm Bureau Road. Officers arrived on scene shortly after 9 p.m. and attempted to make contact with a 35-year-old man inside the residence where the shots were reportedly coming from. Residents in the area were advised to shelter in place or evacuate depending on their proximity to the home. Officers were eventually able to speak with the man and later filed a report for criminal discharge of a firearm and disorderly conduct. The scene…

A Manhattan teenager is reported missing. According to Kansas Missing & Unsolved, 17-year-old Bailey Collier has been missing since Monday, July 15. There is concern for Collier’s safety because she is known to represent herself as an adult online. She was last seen getting into a red car, though a detailed vehicle description hasn’t been provided. It is believed she may be accompanied by an older man who goes by the name “Presley.” Collier is a five feet-six to five feet-seven inches tall, and weighs about 150 pounds. She has brown hair and dark brown eyes and may be wearing…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — Pottawatomie County Commissioners are evaluating how they’ll move forward on the position of County Administrator. The position became vacant last week after longtime administrator Robert Reece announced plans to retire. He’ll transition out of the job over the next six months. At Monday’s meeting, commissioners reviewed the job description and plan to review it again in a couple of weeks. As for a timeline to fill the position, Commission Chair Travis Altenhofen says it’s something they want to do right to find the right fit. He hopes they can have someone in place by this fall. We’re…

WAMEGO, Kan. — Hundreds of people were victims of identity theft recently in Wamego, according to law enforcement officials. An investigation is trying to determine where the breach occurred and who is responsible. Wamego Police said Tuesday that it’s become a felony criminal investigation after reports started pouring in to the office over the weekend. Chief Michael Baker tells KMAN they’ve requested assistance from FBI, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service. The incident involve a breach to credit and debit cards in the Wamego area. “They just need to be aware of where they’re using their…

Riley County Historical Museum Director Cheryl Collins and Native Stone Scenic Byway Advisory Board Secretary Mary Mertz joined us to discuss a stay-cation opportunity for residents with interesting findings along the scenic byway from Dover to just south of Manhattan. We also heard from Battle of the Badges representatives including Kristi Ingalls from the American Red Cross, James Marstall with Riley County EMS, Luke Breault with the Riley County Police Department and Ryan Almes with the Manhattan Fire Department. The event is planned July 22 and July 23 at St. Thomas More Church (2900 Kimball Ave.)

A Junction City man accused of murdering a confidential drug informant has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first degree murder. Jury selection was planned to begin in Riley County District Court Monday morning. Steven Meredith made his plea late Friday afternoon Steven Meredith was charged with first-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Carrie Jones, whose body was found by deer hunters in southern Riley County in October 2017. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge. In January, witnesses testified that Meredith believed Jones might reveal information about him and others in a 2013 drug-related case. Sentencing…

Riley County Commissioners have approved the purchase of 170 acres to be used for a new firing range for the Riley County Police Department. County Counselor Clancy Holeman says commissioners agreed to the $374,000 acquisition from Tarkio CD Disposal for the property near Zeandale and Tabor Valley roads, adjacent from the current firing range. The money used to purchase the property will come out of the General Fund. The purchase agreement is described as a closed construction and demolition landfill. Holeman tells KMAN the new site is nearly twice the size of its existing shooting range. “The current location and…