Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police say a man has been arrested on a charge of rape. Tuesday morning’s RCPD arrest report says 27-year-old Luis Emanuel Cortijo Abreu was arrested at noon Monday on a Riley County District Court warrant for rape of a mentally deficient victim. RCPD says the alleged incident occurred in 2018. Abreu at one point was listed on the Riley County most wanted list. No further details have been released. Abreu is listed on the report with a German address, though he was living on Fort Riley at the time of the alleged crime, according to RCPD.…

MANHATTAN — Two people had to be rescued from the waters of the Kansas River Monday night after losing their boats. The Manhattan Fire Department was among several responding agencies dispatched to the Kansas River near Fairmont Park just after 6:45 p.m. Upon arrival, they found two patients in the river hanging on to trees, roughly two miles south of the boat ramp. Firefighters deployed the rescue boat and rescued the two patients without incident. No injuries have been reported. The scene was cleared within an hour. Manhattan Fire was assisted by Riley County Fire and Riley County EMS.

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…