Author: Brandon Peoples

FORT RILEY — A lot of eyes will be focused on the 119th Army-Navy football game Saturday and perhaps the one thing that will stand out the most to Kansans who tune in is the uniforms worn by Army. Nike has designed special uniforms specifically for Army to rival the Under Armour jerseys which will be donned by Navy. The Nike design is a tribute to Fort Riley’s own 1st Infantry Division, commonly known as the Big Red One. The infantry was the first unit sent to war-torn Europe in World War I by President Woodrow Wilson and made its…

MANHATTAN — Results of a recent 2018 Labor Force Analysis for the Greater Manhattan/Pottawatomie County area shows some intriguing signs about where the economy is trending. The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation recently teamed up with the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce to form the Greater Manhattan Economic Partnership. The two entities interviewed 45 area human resource managers, plant managers and CEOs to gauge key criteria involving labor, education and training infrastructure, community services or quality of life factors. Director Jack Allston says the area compared well in terms of wages and cost of living with competing cities and source cities. Wages in…

National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Director of Partnership Marty Vanier joined us for an update on the NBAF facility construction. We also spoke with Governor’s Military Council Executive Director Perry Wiggins on the upcoming Army-Navy game’s recognition of Big Red One and upcoming deployments and some thoughts on the passing of President George H.W. Bush.

NEW JERSEY — Pharmacies and retailers are pulling liquid infant ibuprofen from the shelves after concerns that the medicine may contain a higher concentration of ibuprofen than advertised. New Jersey-based Tris Pharma, Inc. is voluntarily recalling three lots of the liquid ibuprofen sold under Walmart CVS and Family Dollar house brands. The product is used as a pain reliever and fever reducer and was packaged in 0.5 ounce bottles for the recalled lots. Wholesalers and retailers of the product should stop further distribution of the affected lots of Ibuprofen Concentrated Oral Suspension, USP (NSAID) 50 mg per 1.25 mL, which…

JUNCTION CITY — A 64-year-old Junction City man was arrested Wednesday on a host of child exploitation and drug counts. According to the Junction City Police Department, William Hedgecock is facing nine counts of child exploitation, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and animal cruelty. Hedgecock is being lodged in the Geary County Detention Center without bond awaiting a first court appearance. Authorities have not released any further details regarding the charges against him.

RILEY — A 9-year-old girl involved in a three vehicle crash northwest of Manhattan has died, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The child, one of five involved in a crash at the east junction of US 24 & US 77 near Riley was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita Wednesday morning where she passed away. An 8-year-old was also flown to KU Medical Center and remains in serious condition. KHP cannot confirm whether they were wearing their seat belts. Two infants and a 2-year-old were treated and released for their injuries. The crash occurred Tuesday evening around 5:30…

MANHATTAN — An investigation into a hit and run incident that seriously injured a Manhattan woman continues with new information regarding a possible suspect. According to a release from the Riley County Police Department, the vehicle involved in the Nov. 30 accident near the intersection of Hunting and Denison was recovered Tuesday. Police say they’re interested in speaking to the registered owner 23-year-old Hassan Rueda of Manhattan and have released a current driver’s license photo in an attempt to locate him. The pedestrian, 61-year-old Susan Keller of Manhattan was seriously injured and KMAN learned Monday that she was being treated…

MANHATTAN — Prevention efforts are being stepped up locally to help combat opioid abuse. The Riley County Health Department found out last week it received a $75,000 federal grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to partially fund those prevention efforts. Health Department Director Jennifer Green says the money will be used to ramp up training efforts to local health officials and entities and help develop a needs assessment. Green says the grant also allows for mental health first aid training and identifying adverse childhood experiences to help health officials identify high risk individuals early on. Green adds that…

Tuesday’s In Focus guest was Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr, discussing city business and previewing Tuesday’s legislative action session. Big agenda items include Aggieville Infrastructure Phase 2 report, a consideration of specialized projectors at the Flint Hills Discovery Center and ordinance first readings on modifications to various water and sewer rates as well as changes to stormwater rates.

MANHATTAN — A preliminary autopsy report has determined that an infant child died from abusive head trauma last month. D’Khari Lyons, 23, was arrested Nov. 15 and is charged with murder in the baby’s death. An obituary and GoFundMe page started by the family identifies the infant child as Michael Calvert Jr. According to an affidavit obtained by KMAN, a medical examiner noted the child’s death to be from abusive head trauma, in particular from bleeding and skull fractures. It lists the manner of death as homicide. In the report, the doctor, whose name is redacted, says the hemorrhage within…