Author: Brandon Peoples

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.”…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police are investigating after a man reportedly took items and started a fire in his southwest Manhattan apartment. Officers arrested 30-year-old Gerardo Rosaly Martinez Friday in the 700 block of Dondee Drive, on charges of aggravated arson, aggravated burglary, criminal damage to property, marijuana possession and two charges of use of drug paraphernalia. At least 13 different victims were listed in Monday’s RCPD incident report including the building’s tenants and the State of Kansas. The total loss from the incident was estimated at $1,740.00. Police say the incident took place Friday morning and that Martinez remains…

One person died Sunday while another was hospitalized following a crash in Geary County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened just after 3 p.m. when a pickup northbound on Kansas 177, went left of center and struck an SUV head on. It happened two miles south of Interstate 70. The crash killed the SUV driver, identified as 31-year-old Kayla Marie Jacobson of Alta Vista, who was pronounced dead on scene. The pickup driver, 66-year-old Dwight Sharp of Council Grove was taken by Life Flight to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with a suspected serious injury. The Kansas Highway Patrol…

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan lawmaker is praising a legislative bill that would expand Medicaid coverage to some of the most vulnerable Kansas citizens. The House advanced legislation Thursday by a 69-54 margin. Speaking with News Radio KMAN on Friday, 67th District Rep. Tom Phillips noted the bill is similar to a 2017 bill that passed both chambers, but was ultimately vetoed by then-Governor Sam Brownback. That includes a key provision involving federal government funding of KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program. Phillips adds that the gut and go process, which was used in this case to advance the Medicaid expansion…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police are investigating a string of burglaries reported at a north Manhattan storage facility. Officers filed a report for burglary and criminal damage to property at B & T Self Storage, located at 5261 Tuttle Creek Blvd. The incident was reported around 5 p.m. Thursday. Police listed the storage unit and seven other victims from Manhattan, Wamego and Arkansas after it was reported an unknown suspect damaged padlocks and stole miscellaneous clothing, holiday decorations, outdoor recreational items, tools, electronics, and other household items. The estimated total loss is approximately $2,551.00. According to B & T’s website,…

TOPEKA — Medicaid expansion cleared another hurdle in the Kansas Legislature Thursday passing on a final vote in the House and now moves to the Senate for debate. After a gut and go process on the House floor Wednesday forced through debate on a modified version of Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposal, the House gave it a final approval 69-54. One of those voting against expansion was Wamego Republican 51st District Representative Ron Highland who tells KMAN that no lawmaker has answered a key question about how much expansion will cost the state. The proposal, which has bipartisan support aims to…

TOPEKA — Supporters of Medicaid expansion in Kansas got a big win Wednesday as the Kansas House passed an amended version of Gov. Laura Kelly’s proposal to extend services to approximately 130,000 low-income residents. The House voted 70-54 to give House Bill 2066 first-round approval, setting up a final vote Thursday that will decide if the measure moves on to the Senate. Manhattan Democrat Rep. Sydney Carlin and Republican Rep. Tom Phillips both voted in favor of the measure. Rep. Ron Highland of Wamego, a strong opponent of Medicaid expansion voted against it. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Kansas City…