Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — Rising waters at Tuttle Creek Reservoir have been a concern for many in the region since a wet March inundated the lake with its third highest readings since 1973. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Operation Project Manager Brian McNulty informed a joint meeting of Manhattan, Riley and Pottawatomie county officials that the lake is currently in a Phase II zone of operations for flood control. Part of the reason water hasn’t been released from the lake so far is due to high water levels along the Missouri River, especially near Waverly, Missouri, about 73 river miles east of…

MANHATTAN — An “eggstradordinary” event is happening at Manhattan City Park on Saturday. The Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its third annual Easter Family Fun Day, a free event for the community that includes the Manhattan Lions Club Easter egg hunts for different age groups (2 to 3), (4 to 5) and (6 to 8). Community Relations Officer Melissa Kirkwood says there’s also some green involved for the older kids, in the form of a cash drop. The cash drop will be held after the Easter Egg hunts at the Wilson ball field. The Easter egg hunts start…

Thursday’s In Focus guest was new Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President Jason Smith, making his debut appearance on the show.

MANHATTAN — The Manhattan Fire Department has determined Wednesday night’s fire at the Brookfield Residences apartment building was accidental. Investigators determined the fire started on the second-floor porch balcony due to improperly discarded smoking materials. Damage to the building is estimated at $120,000 along with $20,000 damage to the building’s contents. The two-story, 12-unit building sustained significant fire damage in two units, and smoke and water damage in two other units. Crews were dispatched shortly after 9 p.m. to the complex located at 415 Walters Drive. When crews arrived they found fire showing from the rear of the building, extending…

The USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden School Board announced it filled two leadership positions within the district Wednesday. Current Marlatt Elementary assistant principal Sheila Stephens has been named the principal at Marlatt Elementary School. She replaces Brett Nelson who is leaving the district for a superintendent job in Clay County. Stephens has worked at Marlatt since 2016 and said in a release she’s honored to be chosen to lead the school and thanked Nelson for being a great mentor. Elsewhere, Decatur Community Jr/Sr. High School Principal Ben Jimenez has been named assistant principal at Manhattan High School. Jimenez previously had been a…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police spent close to $64,000 in personnel funds to staff the areas around Aggieville March 2 for this year’s annual Fake Patty’s Day. That included a total of 1,869 hours of employee labor, according to RCPD Captain Richard Fink. The total cost was $63,915. Fink says they aren’t charged by outside agencies who assisted with extra enforcement, noting a “handshake agreement” in place between other law enforcement agencies. Police responded to 172 calls for service during Fake Patty’s Day, including 39 arrests, 19 of which were for DUI’s and six for disorderly conduct. Also during the…

Tuesday’s show featured our bi-weekly chat with Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr and Mayor Mike Dodson about city governmental issues. In addition, Tuesday’s final segment featured Gary Stith with the Flint Hills Regional Council talking about upcoming events related to the organization.

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan man who recently entered the race for a seat on the Manhattan City Commission this fall was arrested Monday. Aaron Estabrook, 35, was arrested shortly before 8:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Bluemont Ave. on suspicion of driving under the influence, a second offense according to Tuesday’s Riley County Police Department media report. Estabrook was issued a $1,500 bond but was not confined at the time of the report. Earlier this month, Estabrook became the first person to announce his candidacy for Manhattan City Commission. He also is a former USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden school board…

MANHATTAN — With budget talks continuing forward, an adjustment to spending requests was presented by the Riley County Police Department at Monday’s meeting of the Riley County Law Board. RCPD Director Dennis Butler says he was approached after last month’s initial budget proposal by Law Board Chair and Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson to reduce the COLA from 1.9 to 1 percent. The adjusted proposal presented Monday cuts more than $93,000 from the budget requests, carving more than 36 thousand dollars in overtime and $40,000 from a proposed IT Reserve Fund request. Captain Josh Kyle says overtime was underfunded by about…

MANHATTAN — A pair of Manhattan residents were arrested over the weekend on charges stemming from an alleged assault that involved the unlawful discharge of a firearm. Riley County Police listed two Manhattan women as the victims after a known female suspect discharged a weapon and a known male suspect displayed a weapon around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. An investigation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Danielle Stein in the 400 block of Ehlers Road. She’s charged with aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm inside city limits. She was issued a $5,000 bond but was no longer confined at…