Author: Brandon Peoples

There was plenty to celebrate Monday at the sixth annual Greater Manhattan Community Foundation Awards. Numerous philanthropic efforts from the past 20 years of the foundation were recognized as the total amount funded over that time span is now pledged at well over $100 million. Foundation President and CEO Vern Henricks says Ward and Brenda Morgan of Manhattan have made that possible with a newly established fund. Several awards were handed out at Monday’s ceremony. The Distinguished Volunteer of the Year award went to James Koelliker, who has worked with multiple organizations including Harvesters, Konza Prairie Biological Station, AARP tax…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police Department Director Dennis Butler confirmed to Riley County Law Board members Monday that the department has opened a criminal investigation after suspected fentanyl-laced heroin overdoses in the Manhattan area earlier this month. Three overdoses were reported in Manhattan and Ogden, leading to two fatalities. RCPD Captain Tim Hegarty says fentanyl is typically mixed with heroin to give a more increased high. But it’s extremely lethal, even in just small amounts. Hegarty says the department believes the two men who died overdosed on a lethal combination of the two drugs. RCPD is reminding the public to report…

MANHATTAN — Fire crews had a busy morning Monday responding to multiple reports of smoke in buildings north of Manhattan City Park due to electrical issues. Westar Energy described losing power to locations using three phase power in that area around 9 a.m. Deputy Manhattan Fire Chief Ryan Almes tells KMAN that fire crews initially responded to the Beta Sigma Phi house at 1100 Fremont for a report of an electrical motor that was smoking. Almes says it’s not uncommon for these types of electrical issues in the Aggieville area. Almes says smoke damage to the fraternity house was likely…

WESTMORELAND — An April status hearing is set for a Wamego man accused in the December murder of 19-year-old Jacob Bouck. Cody Lamia-Beck appeared in Pottawatomie County District Court Friday morning with a court-appointed attorney. A district judge set a status hearing for 1 p.m. April 11. County Attorney Sherri Shuck tells KMAN this will allow time for discovery to be provided to counsel and for a thorough review. Lamia-Beck is awaiting arraignment on charges of second-degree murder. He remains jailed in Pottawatomie County on a $1 million bond. Lamia-Beck was arrested March 6 in connection to Bouck’s death. Bouck…

MILFORD — Authorities in Geary County say a hay fire that started there Wednesday afternoon is being investigated as arson. According to Geary County Emergency Management, crews from Milford City Fire along with Geary County and Fort Riley Fire Departments battled a hay barn fire just outside of Milford shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday and were on scene for several hours. By Thursday morning, officials with the Geary County Fire Department concluded that the fire had been intentionally set. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office plans to assist in the in the investigation. The fire destroyed the barn and strong winds…

MANHATTAN — A Junction City man is behind bars after Riley County Police arrested him on multiple drug charges. The RCPD’s arrest reports says 59-year-old Chris Henington was arrested shortly after midnight Thursday in the 4000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. Police charged Henington with five counts, including three for possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, one count of distribution and one count of use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia. Henington is lodged in Riley County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

Thursday’s guests included from Fort Riley Amelia Knapp, Outreach Services Coordinator from Fort Riley and Dr. Robert Smith from the Fort Riley Museum discussing April as the Month of the Military Child and a temporary Fort Riley Museum space opening March 27. We also spoke with Northview Elementary music teacher Laurie Davis about a March 24 benefit concert for longtime music teacher John Richard, who is battling cancer. Mallory Garza from K-State Counseling Services previewed the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at K-State coming up April 13 promoting an end to sexual violence against women.

TOPEKA — A Manhattan small business owner was recognized this week at the statehouse in Topeka by the Kansas Small Business Development Center. Ralph Diaz owns and operates The Winged Lion, a unique lifestyle store offering home decor, textiles, personal care products and gifts. The business, which Diaz began five years ago as a dream was named one of 16 small businesses of the year by the KSBDC. Diaz tells KMAN what the honor means to him. Diaz worked for years as a hairdresser, owning Gaia Salonspa in Manhattan from 1998 to 2014 when he sold the business. It was…

MANHATTAN — The risk for flooding has been downgraded in the Manhattan area. Now the concern becomes one of high winds. The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the area through Thursday. Southeasterly winds will strengthen and some areas could see sustained speeds 25 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph expected through Wednesday evening. Meteorologist Ariel Cohen tells News Radio KMAN that the overall hazard is transitioning to a strong wind event for the area while the overall risk for widespread heavy rains is ending. The flood watch for the area was lifted…

WESTMORELAND — A 23-year-old Wamego man charged with murder was appointed an attorney at his first appearance Tuesday in Pottawatomie County District Court. Cody Lamia-Beck was arrested last week under suspicion of second-degree murder in connection to the death of 19-year-old Jacob Bouck. Detectives from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and other surrounding agencies have been investigating since the death of Bouck, whose body was found on the Kansas River about a mile west of Wamego on Dec. 24. Lamia-Beck will make an appearance with his attorney at 9:30 a.m. Friday at the district court…