Author: Brandon Peoples

Authorities in Geary County say deputies this week seized about 7,000 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. The Sheriff’s Office says a traffic stop was conducted at around 1 p.m. Feb. 4 on Interstate 70, where officers located the M30 pills which they determined were to be distributed in Geary County. The discovery of the counterfeit pills led to several search warrants as well as arrests. More arrests and charges are currently pending. This is a developing story and it will be updated as information becomes available.

A Riley County Commissioner voiced his concerns Thursday over local strategies to address workforce housing challenges. Manhattan city officials have been looking into state and federal incentive programs aimed at increasing the volume of affordable housing options in communities. During Thursday’s county meeting, John Ford was vocal about his thoughts on the issue. The issue will be the subject of a February 15 Joint City/County meeting, which will take place at 4 p.m. in the county commission chambers. Ford was responding to County Clerk Rich Vargo, who noted the housing topic was a key discussion point at a recent Chamber…

A Manhattan man is jailed following an alleged robbery. The Riley County Police Department says a 62-year-old woman reported to police that a 35-year-old man entered her home Thursday in the 800 block of Fremont and took money and other various items. The man, identified as Timothy Lavender, fled before officers arrived. He was arrested later Thursday on single counts of robbery and theft. He remains confined on a $51,000 bond.

A pedestrian was hospitalized Thursday morning after being struck by a motorist. The Riley County Police Department says it happened near the intersection of North Manhattan Ave. and Research Park Drive after a Toyota Corolla, driven by 26-year-old Simran Joshi struck 21-year-old Jayce Kohls. EMS transported Kohls to Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Police issued Joshi a citation for failing to yield the right of way.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Kansas State University’s online programs for excellence in six categories. The organization evaluated more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, analyzing program effectiveness in student engagement, faculty credentials and student services and technology. Programs were also ranked on how effectively they serve veterans. K-State’s online master’s programs in business, including the Master of Science in Data Analytics and Master of Accountancy, jumped from No. 43 to No. 9 nationally, the highest ranking ever. The online master’s in education also moved up four spots to No. 12 nationally, including a No. 3…

A Manhattan man was arrested Wednesday on a Jackson County District Court warrant tied to an alleged stalking incident last month. The Riley County Police Department says 43-year-old John Robert Martin is charged with felony counts of stalking and criminal threat, and misdemeanor counts of violating a protective order and phone harassment. The incidents occurred between Jan. 16 and 17, involving an adult female victim. No further details are currently available. Martin was issued a $100,000 bond, but was no longer in custody as of Thursday’s arrest report.

Representatives from Flint Hills Beverage delivered a pallet of canned drinking water Wednesday afternoon to Riley County Fire District No. 1, as part of Anheuser-Busch’s disaster relief program. The donated water will be used to keep volunteer firefighters hydrated and healthy during the upcoming spring wildland fire season. March and April is typically when the department responds to the highest number of calls annually. In a statement, Riley County Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Russel Stukey expressed gratitude for the donation and says the drinking water will be distributed to each of the 15 fire stations to be used…

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 have announced a new Director of Special Education. Dr. Jessica Nelson will assume that role on July 1, replacing Interim Director Dr. Roger Christian, who is retiring in June, after replacing Andrea Tiede, who was promoted to Director of Teaching and Learning last year following the abrupt resignation of her predecessor Paula Hough. Nelson currently holds the same position with Geary County USD 475. Prior to her current position, Nelson was a district level behavior consultant for USD 475 and began her career as a special education teacher at USD 383. She has also served as a…

Public Works crews continue to take advantage of good weather and are patching more potholes across Manhattan. On Wednesday, crews were out doing patchwork on three of the city’s most traveled routes — Anderson Ave, Fort Riley Boulevard and Kimball Avenue. City Engineer Brian Johnson… Weekend rains washed away some of the cold patch, causing crews to have to revisit some of the problem spots. Johnson says the best way residents can help is to use the City of Manhattan Report It app. Pothole repairs continue in full force this week! Please watch out for our hard-working Public Works folks…

The Kansas Supreme Court issued an order Tuesday, releasing the court’s jurisdiction of a school finance case after concluding the Legislature complied with mandates to resolve Constitutional violations, by adequately funding public education. Since 2019, the Supreme Court has retained control on Gannon v. State, pending the state providing incremental funding increases to fund Kansas K-12 schools. Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Superintendent Eric Reid commented on the court’s decision Wednesday on KMAN’s In Focus. He says the order creates some angst for public schools, given the history of challenges school funding has faced in Kansas. USD 383 School Board President Jayme Morris-Hardeman…