Author: Brandon Peoples

FRANKFORT, Kan. — No injuries were reported after a house fire near Frankfort in northern Pottawatomie County early Tuesday. WIBW-TV reports fire crews responded shortly after 3 a.m. to a house fully engulfed at 23110 Spring Creek Rd. Four people and their pets were inside at the time but all made it out safely. Pottawatomie County Fire Supervisor Jared Barnes says the cause of the fire is undetermined. The home has been deemed a total loss. Oldsburg, Westmoreland and Wheaton Fire all responded. The Red Cross was also on scene.

MANHATTAN — A legendary high school coach who helped lay the foundation for Manhattan High football has died. Lew Lane who coached at MHS from 1976 to 1997, passed away Sunday after suffering a stroke. He was 75. Longtime voice of the Manhattan Indians and former KMAN Sports Director Matt Walters says Coach Lane was one-of-a-kind. “It was difficult to see coach battle with his health issues. He’s a tremendous reason Manhattan High football is what it is today. It’s going to be tough not to see coach anymore. I’m very glad that I got to call Lew a friend,” said…

MANHATTAN — Some opportunities to give back to the community are happening Saturday in Manhattan. The Manhattan Lions Club is hosting a biscuit and gravy breakfast from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the College Ave. United Methodist Church. Lions Club member Duane Sherwood says they’ll be supporting the crisis center, the Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Habitat for Humanity and Shepherd’s Crossing. In addition to the breakfast there’s also an opportunity to replenish the Flint Hills Breadbasket. The annual “Souper Bowl” event coordinated with the Knights of Columbus will be out at four Manhattan grocery stores urging shoppers to add items…

MANHATTAN — A Riley County judge has found enough evidence for a Manhattan man to stand trial in the death of an infant last fall. D’Khari Lyons, 23, appeared at a preliminary hearing Friday in front of Judge William Malcolm. Lyons is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 2-month-old Michael Calvert Jr. He’ll be arraigned later this month. During Friday’s hearing, witnesses testified the child was seriously injured sometime after 8 a.m. Nov. 8. Witnesses testified that the mother left Calvert Jr. with Lyons so she could take her two older children to school that morning. The baby…

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY — A pair of meetings are planned next week that could shape the future for residents living in the southwest portion of Pottawatomie County. With about 4,000 residents living in the growing Green Valley area east of Manhattan, residents are increasingly more in need of public services such as law enforcement, ambulance, road construction and maintenance. All of the services currently are financed by the county at-large. Assistant Planner/Zoning Enforcement Officer Stephan Metzger says it’s apparent the county should play less of a role in governing those services. Earlier this month, a lawyer hired by the Pottawatomie County Commission…

Thursday’s In Focus program highlighted updates to the Hale Library following last spring’s fire. Ryan Swanson, Kansas State University Architect joined the program’s first two segments. Maribeth Kieffer with the Flint Hills Breadbasket and Bill Kennedy with Knights of Columbus preview its annual “Souper Bowl” effort to fill the breadbasket and tackle hunger in the Manhattan Area. Duane Sherwood with the Manhattan Lions Club previewed a biscuit and gravy breakfast on Feb. 2.

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police continue to search for two suspects involved in Tuesday’s robbery of United Bank and Trust at Tuttle Creek Blvd and Allen Road. Police have released new photographs of someone that may have information regarding the robbery which occurred at around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. That photo is also shared on the KMAN Facebook page. Two suspects, described as African American men, both about 5 foot 5 to 5 foot 6 inches tall with slender builds are believed responsible for approaching the teller and presenting a note demanding cash. No weapon was drawn in Tuesday’s robbery, but…

Location of Thursday morning fire in Ogden (Google Maps image) Update 2/2/19 The four victims of an early morning fire in Ogden on Thursday, Jan 31., have been identified, according to a release by the Riley County Fire Department. 72-year-old Roger Harris Sr., 72-year-old Rea Harris, 50-year-old Roger Harris Jr. and 55-year-old Rocky Newell are believed to have died as a result of fume inhalation during the fire on the 200 block of Riley Avenue. No foul play is suspected. Riley County Fire Chief Pat Collins writes the cause remains unknown, but that “careless smoking” is suspected to have led…

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan business has been seized by the Kansas Department of Revenue. A spokesman for the department tells KMAN JS Sign & Awning at 2726 Amherst Avenue was seized Tuesday for racking up $46,467.00 in delinquent sales and withholding taxes. A total of eight tax warrants have been issued, including six in Riley County and two in Pottawatomie County. Sales tax witholding warrants account for all but nearly $300 of the back taxes. KDOR Spokesman John Peterson says a warrant execution occurs when all other collection attempts have been exhausted. Business owners have 48 hours from the time…

7 p.m. Tuesday update MANHATTAN —  An investigation continues after a bank robbery was reported in east Manhattan Tuesday afternoon and two suspects are now being sought. Riley County Police say two black men, approximately 5’5″ to 5’6″ tall and slender build entered the United Bank and Trust at 2000 Tuttle Creek Blvd. shortly before 4 p.m. The first suspect, dressed in all black remained near the entrance while suspect two approached a teller and presented a demand note. He also was wearing a black coat with a black hoodie underneath and black pants. Police say no weapon was shown…