Author: Brandon Peoples

Friday’s guest on In Focus was Riley County Police Department Capt. Tim Hegarty, who updated us on upcoming budget information for 2020, a change in the RCPD’s vehicle purchase program and crime prevention in the area.

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University students engaged with Manhattan City Commissioners Thursday at a town hall discussion where concerns were raised on a lack of safe and affordable housing in the city. The forum was hosted by the Kansas State University Student Governing Association along with Renters Together MHK. Hosted by the K-State Student Governing Association, students asked commissioners what their rights are as tenants. One student says she’s lived in Manhattan for eight years and had numerous code violations at each of the rental units she’s lived. She says her air conditioning unit had a chemical fire last year…

MANHATTAN — Strong beer is coming to grocery and convenience stores beginning April 1. The new law was signed in 2017 by former Gov. Sam Brownback which will allow retailers to sell beer with an alcoholic content of 6 percent. Currently those retailers can only sell beer that has 3.2 percent alcohol. From a grocer’s perspective it means they can offer a larger variety of alcohol products. Liquor stores expect more of a hit to their bottom line, according to Kevin Neitzel, who owns and operates Manhattan liquor store The Fridge. Liquor stores will see increased competition from those other…

MANHATTAN — The Manhattan Fire Department says a fire at an apartment complex was accidental due to improperly disposed smoking materials. The fire originated on the third floor balcony of the  building at 3128 Lundin Drive and quickly spread to the attic. The three-story, 12-unit building sustained an estimated $45,000 in damage to the structure and contents. Visible damage could be seen on the building’s east side shingles. No injuries were reported. All occupants got out safely and a dog found in the building was unharmed. The owner is listed as Strata Properties LLC, with the resident agent listed as…

A strategic plan is being put in motion by Pottawatomie County Public Works as it attempts to timely and efficiently make repairs to the miles of gravel roads within the county’s jurisdiction. On KMAN’s In Focus Tuesday, Public Works Director Peter Clark said asphalt roads, for the most part, stayed in good shape. But after numerous freeze and thaw cycles this past winter, Clark says many of the roads saw loosened compaction and became soft on the surface. Clark says the strategic plan includes approving more overtime for road crews, working with the six rock quarries in the county and…

Update 9 p.m. Wednesday GEARY COUNTY — The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified three Alabama residents as the victims of a single-vehicle crash Wednesday morning on Interstate 70 at the junction of Kansas 177. According to the KHP crash log, 58-year-old LeRoy Allen Myers of Arab, Ala., 18-year-old Joey Brannon Tidwell of Albertville, Ala. and 20-year-old Halie Marie Davis of Madison, Ala. died at the scene. The three were westbound on I-70 around 5:30 a.m. when the Chevy Camaro they were traveling in entered the median, struck a guard rail, vaulted over K-177 and then came to rest on an…

MANHATTAN — There’s an elevated risk of moderate to major flooding through May in 25 states including a large swath of north central and northeast Kansas. That’s according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Spring Outlook, released March 21. The outlook says the majority of the country is favored to experience above-average precipitation this spring, increasing the flood risk. Tuttle Creek Army Corps of Engineers Operation Project Manager Brian McNulty says peak flows are making their way through Missouri at this point. He says until downstream flows drop off they won’t be releasing water. According to the latest reading…

FORT RILEY — A ceremony honoring a former First Infantry Division soldier will take place Thursday morning. Former Sgt. Robert “Mike” Debolt is receiving the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest valor decoration awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Debolt was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team and previously received the Silver Star for his actions in 2008 in Afghanistan. This ceremony officially upgrades that previous award. Debolt, an Ohio native entered the U.S Army in 2007 and was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom in…

News Radio KMAN has learned that an August trial is scheduled for a Junction City man accused of driving to Arkansas in December to meet up with a 16-year-old girl for sex. According to Arkansas court records, 32-year-old Andrew O’Brien pleaded not guilty in December to a felony charge of engaging a child in sexually explicit conduct and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He’s set for a final hearing June 27 and a jury trial to begin Aug. 26 in Baxter County, Arkansas District Court, located in Mountain Home, Arkansas. O’Brien was arrested Dec.…

TOPEKA — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made good on a promise Monday to veto a bill that aimed to change state sales and income tax policy that would reduce state revenue by more than $100 million. In a statement Monday, Kelly said:  “The people of Kansas elected me to rebuild our state. They elected me to bring fiscally conservative and responsible principles back to our government. We must be patient, thoughtful, and prudent as we evaluate tax policy. And, when we move forward with commonsense tax relief, we must ensure that it benefits the Kansans who need it the most.”…