Author: Brandon Peoples

WABAUNSEE COUNTY — One person was injured Monday morning in a crash on Interstate 70 in Wabaunsee County, southeast of Manhattan. The Kansas Highway Patrol says just after 10 a.m., an westbound Chevy Silverado driven by 34-year-old Donte Newsome of Topeka blew a tire, traveled through the center median with the vehicle landing in the south ditch. The incident occurred about four miles east of the K-177 junction. Newsome was transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with a suspected minor injury. The crash log says Newsome was wearing a seat belt. Original story 11 a.m. Monday WABAUNSEE COUNTY –…

TOPEKA — The search for a new district judge in the 21st Judicial District is underway. The 21st Judicial District Nominating Commission will convene at 8:30 a.m. July 24 to interview seven nominees for the vacancy, created by the retirement last month of Chief Judge Meryl Wilson. The person chosen for the position will oversee court cases in Riley and Clay counties. The commission will select three to five nominees to be submitted to Gov. Laura Kelly. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint. Nominees include: Amy J. Bipes, Manhattan, legal assistance lawyer, Office of…

Photos courtesy Clay Center Police Department CLAY CENTER — Police in Clay Center say 2-year-old Lucas Ohlde, who went missing late Friday, has been found and is safe. An alert went out Saturday saying the boy may have been in danger, in an alleged custody interference between family members. No further details were released. By Sunday evening, police said the boy was expected to arrive home. There is no word yet on whether anyone will be charged in relation to the child’s disappearance. The incident remains under investigation. Original story Sunday 12 p.m. CLAY CENTER — The search continues for…

MANHATTAN — A 38-year-old Manhattan man has been convicted for his role in a standoff with Riley County Police in January 2018. At a court hearing Thursday, Mark Harrison entered a plea of no contest and was subsequently found guilty on a charge of attempted voluntary manslaughter. He also was previously convicted of criminal damage to property. Harrison had originally faced a capital murder charge involving a police officer, of which he was set to go on trial for in early August. Prosecutors said he fired 33 shots during the three-hour standoff. One of those shots injured RCPD officer Pat…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police say a teenager was injured Thursday evening after being struck by a car in west Manhattan. The incident occurred just after 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Candlewood Drive and Kimball Ave. RCPD says the victim was transported to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of his injuries. Family members have told KMAN the victim ws a 14-year-old male. The teen, who was riding a skateboard at the time was struck by a passenger car driven by 21-year-old Andrew West of Manhattan. The boy is expected to be fine. No charges have been filed at this…

MANHATTAN — As temperatures heat up, Riley County Police Department officials are urging the public to take a moment and check your car. Too often, kids and animals get left unattended in hot vehicles. RCPD spokesperson Hali Rowland says it can be extremely dangerous and often fatal. “Obviously we don’t want kids or animals to be left in hot cars. If the temperature continues to rise, when you’re not in the vehicle and the vehicle is not turned on, that temperature goes up and up and up. So we want to make sure you’re never leaving your animal or child…

MANHATTAN — Things are progressing nicely for Pawnee Mental Health’s new Crisis Stabilization Center, located on Hayes Drive in Manhattan. The facility is undergoing a major renovation and soon will begin advertising for positions that the organization hopes to fill later this year. Pawnee Mental Health Executive Director Robbin Cole tells KMAN some of the things they’re looking for in potential candidates. “Folks who have experience certainly working in crisis care for people with mental health and substance abuse problems, are going to be interested in this opportunity,” Cole said. Additional positions include the areas of case management, mental health…

MANHATTAN — Fire investigators have ruled the cause of Wednesday morning’s fire at Colonial Gardens mobile home park to be undetermined, with a loss of about $400,000 in damages. The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to assist by responding an accelerant detection canine. The dog is used to sniff out traces of potential ignitable materials that could’ve been used to start a fire. At this point the fire cause is believed to be accidental and arson is not suspected. Loss is estimated at $300,000 to the structure and $100,000 to the contents. The previous clubhouse building in the…

MANHATTAN — The Native Stone Chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse is opening a firework stand Monday that will help raise money for their organization. Spokesperson Lisa McCurdy says this is the most important fundraiser of the year for the organization. “It generates the funds we need for the year to provide things to the kids, such as therapy, items for the kids like blankets, vests and B.A.C.A. bears,” McCurdy said Wednesday in an appearance on the KMAN Morning Show. Organizers had to move their booth this year to a new location at 900 North 3rd Street, across from Dairy…

JUNCTION CITY — The victim of a deadly ATV crash in Geary County has been identified. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office says 48-year-old Mark Jackson of Milford was spraying a field near Ava Road in rural Geary County Tuesday afternoon when the ATV he was riding on overturned and rolled down an embankment, pinning him underneath the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Junction City Fire and EMS assisted at the scene. Original story Tuesday 10 p.m. GEARY COUNTY — One person is dead following an ATV accident Tuesday in rural…