Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police spent close to $64,000 in personnel funds to staff the areas around Aggieville March 2 for this year’s annual Fake Patty’s Day. That included a total of 1,869 hours of employee labor, according to RCPD Captain Richard Fink. The total cost was $63,915. Fink says they aren’t charged by outside agencies who assisted with extra enforcement, noting a “handshake agreement” in place between other law enforcement agencies. Police responded to 172 calls for service during Fake Patty’s Day, including 39 arrests, 19 of which were for DUI’s and six for disorderly conduct. Also during the…

Tuesday’s show featured our bi-weekly chat with Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr and Mayor Mike Dodson about city governmental issues. In addition, Tuesday’s final segment featured Gary Stith with the Flint Hills Regional Council talking about upcoming events related to the organization.

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan man who recently entered the race for a seat on the Manhattan City Commission this fall was arrested Monday. Aaron Estabrook, 35, was arrested shortly before 8:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of Bluemont Ave. on suspicion of driving under the influence, a second offense according to Tuesday’s Riley County Police Department media report. Estabrook was issued a $1,500 bond but was not confined at the time of the report. Earlier this month, Estabrook became the first person to announce his candidacy for Manhattan City Commission. He also is a former USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden school board…

MANHATTAN — With budget talks continuing forward, an adjustment to spending requests was presented by the Riley County Police Department at Monday’s meeting of the Riley County Law Board. RCPD Director Dennis Butler says he was approached after last month’s initial budget proposal by Law Board Chair and Manhattan Mayor Mike Dodson to reduce the COLA from 1.9 to 1 percent. The adjusted proposal presented Monday cuts more than $93,000 from the budget requests, carving more than 36 thousand dollars in overtime and $40,000 from a proposed IT Reserve Fund request. Captain Josh Kyle says overtime was underfunded by about…

MANHATTAN — A pair of Manhattan residents were arrested over the weekend on charges stemming from an alleged assault that involved the unlawful discharge of a firearm. Riley County Police listed two Manhattan women as the victims after a known female suspect discharged a weapon and a known male suspect displayed a weapon around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. An investigation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Danielle Stein in the 400 block of Ehlers Road. She’s charged with aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm inside city limits. She was issued a $5,000 bond but was no longer confined at…

MANHATTAN — The LGBTQ community and allies are being celebrated this weekend with the 10th annual Little Apple Pride Festival. A parade will kick things off at noon starting at Manhattan Town Center, continuing down Poyntz Avenue to City Park. Committee member Jonathan Mertz says people will arrive to the park to a plethora of activities under the Larry Norvell Band Shell. The festival is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots in the Greenwich Village area of New York City, widely considered to be the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement. Back then it…

TOPEKA — Shawnee Heights Superintendent Martin Stessman has been placed on administrative leave without pay until June 1. School district officials met Thursday night to discuss actions after Stessman was arrested April 6 in Jefferson County on suspicion of driving under the influence. He’s also been placed on a one year probation, ordering him to complete a professional alcohol assessment, comply with recommendations from that assessment and speak to students, using this as a teaching moment. The board issued this statement after the meeting: “Although this incident occurred during non-school hours and off school grounds, Dr. Stessman is reminded that…

OGDEN — A man accused of firing shots near Ogden Elementary was in court Wednesday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty to two charges against him. The Manhattan Mercury is reporting 40-year-old Justin Bauer entered not guilty pleas to a charge of possession of a firearm on or around school grounds and discharge of a firearm within city limits. Riley County Police initially arrested Bauer on an additional count of aggravated assault, which the state has decided not to pursue. Bauer was arrested Tuesday morning when police received a report of shots fired by a man walking down the 300…

MANHATTAN — A grand opening of Manhattan’s newest museum, the Midwest Dream Car Collection is happening on Saturday. With a collection of over 60 cars in a 25,000 square foot showroom which will be available to the public. There’s also a 3000 square-foot event center and a lounge with a self-pour beer station which is believed to be the first one in the state of Kansas. Executive Director Lynn Gentine says they’ll also have some perks for those who come out to their festivities. Much of the museum’s vision was that of Curator Drew Casper, the young man who sustained…

MANHATTAN — Former Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz made his way through Manhattan Wednesday as part of his listening tour across Kansas. The businessman is exploring a potential presidential campaign as an Independent in 2020. Schultz tells KMAN he doesn’t believe critics who say he’ll be a spoiler in the election. Schultz discussed his own successes with Starbucks and how he’d attempt to translate that to the oval office, should he decide to run. Schultz began his listening tour in Overland Park Tuesday, and also spoke at events in Lawrence and Topeka. He toured the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center…