Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

Active violence training continued Thursday at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary in Manhattan. Emergency personnel from several agencies including Riley County Police, Manhattan Fire, Riley County EMS and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office participated in the training which involved a mock scenario of an active shooter situation in progress. The exercise is conducted annually to ensure a smooth response should such a situation ever occur here locally. RCPD Lt. Tim Schuck says having USD 383 participation is invaluable. “Without the help of USD 383 and teachers and staff, we could not make this as realistic as we could, we wouldn’t have the location…

School supplies and backpacks are needed to help Stuff the Bus Saturday for the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 FIT Closet. It will take place at the Walmart parking lot in Manhattan. The 12th annual event aims at providing every student receiving free or reduced lunches in the Manhattan/Ogden USD 383 school district with the necessary supplies for the upcoming school year. It’s a joint effort between Konza United Way, K-State Credit Union and Manhattan Broadcasting. FIT Closet Coordinator Tracy Emery spoke with KMAN this week about the upcoming fundraiser and the some of the specific items they are looking for this…

The City of Manhattan will not receive a much anticipated $25 million in STAR bond money from the state government by expanding the existing district to fund improvements along the north campus corridor around Kansas State University. City officials announced this week that the state had reversed course and is not supporting the proposal. According to City Manager Ron Fehr, the primary reason was the separation distance and the expanded district not being adjacent to the original STAR district in downtown Manhattan. That original area includes Third and Fourth streets as well as the tourism generating Flint Hills Discovery Center.…

Severe storms pushed through the KMAN listening area Wednesday morning and while it brought some heavy rains into Riley and Pottawatomie counties, the storms did significant damage much further to the north. In Washington County, the small city of Linn closed for the day due to multiple streets being blocked and power lines down across several city streets. Local residents were cleaning up Wednesday morning and the community has not asked for any outside help at this time. The Washington County Emergency Management office says residents experiencing outages should call 785-541-0212, or 911 if it’s a medical emergency. Further information…