Author: Brandon Peoples

Blizzard warnings are now in effect for Riley, Pottawatomie, Geary, Clay and Wabaunsee counties as well as most of northeast Kansas from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service in Topeka anticipates snow to begin falling early Sunday morning, producing anywhere from 4 to 7 inches for the Manhattan area, with higher amounts possible, especially to the north and east. Heavier snow is expected in some areas, especially near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Snow is expected to last most of the day but be out of the area by late Sunday evening. A major factor impacting travel conditions…

The Kansas Highway Patrol says one person is dead and another in critical condition after a wreck northwest of Manhattan Thursday morning. Shortly before 6 a.m., officers responded to the 6700 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. for a two-vehicle wreck. According to the highway patrol, 54-year-old Jamie Franch of Riley was southbound on US 24 when her passenger car crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on. The vehicle came to rest on its side in the west ditch. The second vehicle was driven by 18-year-old Mersades Wisner of Holdrege, Nebraska. It came to rest in the driving…

JUNCTION CITY — A Topeka woman is jailed in Geary County after leading officers Tuesday on a vehicle pursuit. According to the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, Alexis Oliver faces a host of charges including fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. She was arrested after leading a pursuit in Geary County after an officer attempted to serve a misdemeanor warrant. Additional charges include interference with law enforcement officer, obstructing and resisting arrest and failure to wear a seatbelt. Oliver also was charged with disorderly conduct and interference with a law enforcement officer from a separate incident in February in…

While many are hustling and bustling this holiday season, local emergency officials are hoping people celebrate safely. Ahead of Thanksgiving, Manhattan Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshall Ryan Courtright spoke with KMAN about being safe in the kitchen, especially if you’re plans are to fry a turkey. Courtright encourages those planning to use a deep fryer to do so in the garage since a concrete floor is an even surface and is away from people. Fire Chief Brad Claussen explains what to do if you don’t have a garage. After the holiday, it’s tradition for many to begin decorating their homes…

Riley County Police made three drug related arrests Tuesday including a pair of arrests involving distribution within 1,000 feet of a school. According to RCPD, 47-year-old Joseph Hammond and 40-year-old Dawn Renee Cyphers, both of Junction City, were arrested Tuesday in the 400 block of Fremont Street in Manhattan. Hammond faces eight different charges including distribution of heroin within 1,000 feet of a school and two other distribution charges within the same vicinity. Other charges brought against Hammond include criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia with intent to distribute and possession of…

History was made Monday as the Riley County Police Department promoted Erin Freidline to the position of Captain. Freidline, who joined RCPD in August 2000 as a patrol officer has risen through the ranks to become the department’s highest ranking female in its 45-year history. Through her career she’s worked in the civil process section as a school resource officer at Manhattan High School, served on multiple committees and hiring boards, was an active recruiter and served as a CALEA accreditation liaison. The promotion puts Captain Freidline in command of the Support Division. A Kansas State graduate with a degree…

A Manhattan woman was honored during Monday’s Riley County Law Board meeting for her efforts to keep schools safe. USD 383 Communications & School Safety Director Michele Jones has partnered with Riley County Police, the Manhattan Fire Department and emergency response teams over the past few years to improve safety training. In 2015 the RCPD approached Jones with a concept of developing a new active violence response plan for the community with those partners. Since that time Director Brad Schoen says Jones has worked and trained with RCPD on numerous occasions, including facilitating presentations to teachers. USD 383 Superintendent Marvin Wade says…

Tuesday’s guests were Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr and Mayor Mike Dodson, previewing a Westar Energy agreement to be highlighted during Tuesday’s meeting as well as a preview of next week’s work session that will include a review of the Warner Park Master Plan. Other topics included the hiring of the new RCPD Director Dennis Butler and ongoing Parks and Recreation projects.

MANHATTAN — The Riley County Police Department has a new director, Dennis Butler, the current chief of the Ottawa Police Department. Butler was unanimously approved as the fifth director of the RCPD during Monday’s Riley County Law Board meeting. Butler says he’s thrilled to be coming to Manhattan. Butler will succeed current director Brad Schoen who is retiring at the end of December. Butler has been chief of police in Ottawa since 2004 and prior to that was worked with the Alexandria, Virginia Police Department for 25 years, retiring in 2004 at the rank of Captain. Butler explains what made…

Green Apple Bikes, a local bike sharing program in Manhattan is putting the call out to round-up bikes during the holiday week. Volunteer Rod Harms tells KMAN that the organization is hoping to collect as many of the bikes this week for tuning up over the holiday break. Students from the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity at K-State retrieved 40 bikes for winter repair and storage over the course of four hours and two days this past weekend. Eight additional bikes were gathered Monday morning. Collection efforts are ongoing. If you see a bike or have one in your backyard or…