Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — Crisis Center Inc. raised more than $27,000 from 126 gifts at the Grow Green Match Day, held April 22 by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Executive Director Judy Davis says that was enough to earn a maximum match of $10,000 from the Howe Family Foundation. The Crisis Center was one of seven agencies to receive the dollars. Davis says the funds go directly into its endowment. The Crisis Center provides a wide variety of services to individuals seeking assistance from domestic violence or sexual assault, including a 24-hour-a-day staffed hotline. Last year the center answered 2,500 calls from…

USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Schools Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade and Board President Curt Herrman joined us for discussion on school bond related issues to be voted on at Wednesday’s school board meeting. We also discussed the beginning of budget discussions and the proposed transgender student policy up for approval. The latter half of the program featured retiring Manhattan High School Principal Greg Hoyt with a reflection on his time in the district and his plans for the future.

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan woman is hoping to push city commissioners to draft an ordinance to prohibit the transfer of live animals in the back of trucks. Keleigh Schettler became concerned after noticing in March 2018 a tow truck with a dog chained to it driving down Fort Riley Blvd. According to Schettler the chain was long enough that, if the dog fell, it would have easily been strangled. In addition to the danger it poses for the animal, Schettler says there’s also a risk to drivers. Schettler approached the city commission last fall but got no response at the…

Update 8 a.m. Tuesday MANHATTAN — A Geary County teenager was arrested late Sunday night after reports he was walking around carrying a gun near 17th and Poyntz Ave. The Riley County Police Department says the 14-year-old male suspect was taken into custody without incident sometime after midnight and arrested on the offenses of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and criminal use of a weapon; barrel of firearm less than 12 inches. The 14-year-old was identified in Tuesday morning’s RCPD arrest report as Zane Tilcock. He was transported to the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center.…

DENVER — A former Colorado doctor who resided in Manhattan was sentenced to seven years in prison by a federal judge in Colorado last week, for illegally distributing controlled substances and money laundering. John Littleford, 73, will spend 87 months at a yet to be announced federal prison and will be placed on three years of post-release supervision. A U.S. Attorney’s Office report from the District of Colorado says Littleford prescribed large amounts of opioids to patients without a diagnosis or with little documentation. The report says Dr. Littleford owned and operated a clinic in Parker, Colorado and held himself…

Update Monday, 4/29/19: The Riley County Police Department reports that their drug takeback event this past weekend was a success. RCPD took in a total of 158 pounds of unused and unwanted prescription medication at two locations. They collected 4 boxes of drugs weighing a total of 48.5 pounds at RCPD headquarters. The Westloop Dillons drop-off location collected 5 boxes weighing a total of 110 pounds. RCPD coordinates the event with the DEA, who takes all drugs received for disposal. Police say safe disposal events like this help prevent pill abuse, accidental use as well as theft. Original story: The…

*Read the full Supreme Court decision here.* Kansas lawmakers are responding very differently over the state Supreme Court’s declaration of a right to abortion. The 6-1 ruling Friday notes the Kansas constitution protects the “right of personal autonomy,” meaning state law cannot abridge the right “to control one’s own body, to assert bodily integrity and to exercise self-determination.” It prevents the state from enforcing a 2015 law that could have reduced second-trimester abortions and allows challenges to other restrictions under the state constitution. 67th District House Rep. Tom Phillips (R-Manhattan) disagrees with the high court’s decision. He believes a challenge…

Area veterans and Wamego High School students have returned home after a whirlwind two-day trip to Washington, D.C. and back thanks to the Kansas Honor Flight program. The veterans capped off the trip receiving a warm welcome at Wamego High School Thursday night. The trip featured stops at many of the U.S. military branch memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House, the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian Museum. Among those who attended was veteran Jerry Tullis. He spoke with KMAN about the experience. Tullis also commented on the warm greeting they received. Veteran Stan Smith says it was a unique…

USD 378 Riley County and USD 384 Blue Valley/Randolph Schools recently went through building audits to measure educational growth. Each year an outside visiting team visits each district through a five-year cycle. USD 378 Superintendent Cliff Burton says his district is moving forward with hiring of an at risk teacher to help improve reading skills from some students who may be falling behind. For Blue Valley/Randolph, superintendent Brady Burton says his district is aiming to improve how they approach their goals. Both districts are in year two of the five-year audit and received glowing scores by the outside visiting team.…

One person was injured Wednesday night after a vehicle pursuit in Geary County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 39-year-old Allen Harroald of Wichita was northbound on U.S. 77 fleeing from officers with the Geary County Sheriff’s Office when his Chevy Camaro failed to negotiate a curve. As a result, the car struck a guardrail and overturned several times before entering a ditch on the east side of the highway. Harroald was ejected from the car. He was not wearing a seat belt. The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. near mile marker 166, about 12 miles north of Junction City. Harroald…