Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — As the school year wraps up at Manhattan Christian College, officials are looking ahead to a new fundraising campaign. On KMAN’s In Focus program Wednesday, MCC President Kevin Ingram announced the schools Multiply Campaign was launched in April as part of its Vision 360 banquet. The purpose is to raise money to build a new residence hall. Ingram says it would replace the aging Johnson Hall which lacks adequate insulation, has just single pane windows and would be cost prohibitive to bring up to current standards. Ingram says a good chunk of the $75,000 in gifts raised during…

Wednesday’s In Focus guests centered around education with Manhattan/Ogden USD 383 Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid and Board Member Leah Fliter. Manhattan Christian College President Kevin Ingram also discussed some updates at his school including a major capital campaign getting underway to fund a new residence hall to replace Johnson Hall on campus.

MANHATTAN — Students at Amanda Arnold Elementary were evacuated after smoke developed in the school’s kitchen Wednesday morning. Manhattan Fire crews responded shortly before 10 a.m. and removed all students and staff from the building as a precaution. Manhattan Fire spokesman Ryan Almes tells KMAN that a microwave was the cause of the smoke. There was no fire. Firefighters scanned the building from the inside and the roof before giving the all clear. Students were allowed back into the building about 40 minutes after the initial response. It’s not clear if there was any damage to the microwave or to…

MANHATTAN — An upcoming panel discussion at Kansas State University aims to continue toward solutions to filling jobs for local employers. It’s the second in a series studying the workforce crisis facing the Manhattan area. The previous one was held in December, according to Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jack Allston. The December event was more geared toward construction companies and manufacturing. The next event will bring other industries to the table. Workforce issues are affecting numerous industries with not enough workers and not enough potential employees with the correct soft skills. Allston says it’s a major factor…

MANHATTAN — Local officials are pushing to get more people prepared in the event of flooding in Riley and Pottawatomie counties. On KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday, Riley County Emergency Management Director Pat Collins informed us that while there’s no cause for alarm with the water levels at Tuttle Creek Lake, it is a good idea now to take action to prepare yourself if you’re in a flood plain. Water levels Tuesday rose to 1,123.36 feet at Tuttle Creek Lake, more than 48 feet above normal pool. Outflow has been hovering at 200 cubic feet per second since last week’s heavy…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Chief Judge Meryl Wilson of the  is retiring next month after more than two decades of service in the courts. Wilson began work as a District Judge of the 21st Judicial District on April 18, 1997. Prior to that he was in private practice in Manhattan from 1974 to 1997. He became the Riley County Chief Judge in 2012. Wilson graduated Kansas State University in 1971 with a Bachelor’s of Science in History. He received his Law Degree from Washburn in 1974. Wilson’s last day as judge in the district court is Friday, June 14, six…

WESTMORELAND, Kan. — A wet spring has taken its toll on the roads in Pottawatomie County. High water levels at Tuttle Creek Reservoir have inundated several county roads with water over the last two months. Public Works Director Peter Clark spoke about recent flooding during the Pottawatomie County Commission Monday. In particular, he says last week’s heavy rains impacted numerous county roads including the bridge over the Vermillion River on Jim Creek Road. Gov. Laura Kelly added Pottawatomie County to a growing list of Kansas counties under a state of disaster declaration. That went into effect on May 10 and…

MANHATTAN — A 50-year-old Manhattan man accused of having sex with a minor made his first court appearance Friday. Thomas Ray Adams appeared via video conference from his jail cell to hear the charges read by Riley County District Magistrate Judge James Kepple. Adams is charged with one count of rape of a child under the age of 14 and aggravated criminal sodomy involving a child under the age of 14. Each count carries a maximum penalty of life prison with a minimum 25 years sentence, and up to a $500,000 fine. The incidents are alleged to have occurred between…

Friday’s guests were Manhattan Fire Department Assistant Chief Brad Claussen, Deputy Building Official Darren Emery and Deputy Fire Marshal Ryan Courtright discussing Building Safety Month. We also spoke with Thrive Flint Hills Executive Director Jayme Morris-Hardeman and youth volunteer Keith Schnug about the Thrive’s mission as a nonprofit organization in the community.

OGDEN, Kan. — A vendor fair fundraiser is planned Saturday for a Manhattan-based youth AAU track and field team. Just Watch Elite Track Club consists of athletes aged 6 through 18 who compete at events nationwide. The goal of the organization is to get kids active and involved. Director Kimberly McGhee says the entry fee is $150 which covers the AAU membership and other items to be involved with the team. The funds raised at Saturday’s event will help to offset those costs. A total of 41 vendors will be on hand Saturday at the Ogden Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4…