Author: Brandon Peoples

PAXICO — The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal has identified the man who died last week in a fire at the Wyldewood Cellars Winery in Paxico. According to a release from the Fire Marshal’s office, 32-year-old Evan Jolly of the Kansas City, Missouri area was the one who perished in the fire Nov. 8. The investigation has concluded the fire was incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set. It is believed Jolly was the one who started the fire. His body was found near the buidling’s entrance near a gas can. The damage to the winery has been estimated…

Two people were involved in an injury crash Monday in rural Riley County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 21-year-old Hailey Weaver of Kings Beach, California was traveling northbound on US 77 near mile marker 187 between Manhattan and Randolph when for an unknown reason, her passenger car went off the roadway and struck a culvert. The vehicle then vaulted over the culvert, rolled and came to rest in the east ditch. The accident occurred just before 3 p.m. approximately 14 miles south of Randolph. Weaver sustained a possible injury, but according to the Highway Patrol crash log, was not…

Veterans Day was recognized Monday in Manhattan with residents pausing to reflect on the brave service men and women of the U.S. military. On the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, Jed Dunham consultant with the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Kansas State University, spoke during the Veterans Day program at Peace Memorial Auditorium. His speech centered around the importance of veterans both on and off the battlefield. Dunham says when these veterans come home, they become a vital and vibrant part of the community to help bridge the divisiveness of the country. Monday’s ceremony also…

Manhattan firefighters are investigating the cause of a vehicle fire that ignited a garage fire Sunday evening. Just before 6:30 p.m. crews were called out to 2300 Vineyard Circle where they found a vehicle on fire inside the garage of a two-story residential structure. The vehicle fire was quickly extinguished but it then spread to the interior of the garage. One person was home at the time of the fire but they were able to safely escape injury. The total loss is estimated at $6,800 for the vehicle and $25,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as Nigel Hanson.…

Friday’s In Focus guests included Flint Hills Veterans Coalition President Janet Nichols, former president Dave Ekart, Veterans Day parade coordinator Chuck Tannehill and Vice President Christine Benne. We also spoke with Biosecurity Research Institute Director Dr. Stephen Higgs about ongoing research and preventative maintenance happening at the facility. Finally we wrapped our program with Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Karen Hibbard.

Updated 2:15 p.m. Monday Wabaunsee County Sheriff Rob Hoskins has provided additional information on the man who self-immolated himself Thursday evening outside of a Paxico winery. Sheriff Hoskins posted on the department’s Facebook page that the man’s name has not been confirmed via autopsy, but he is not believed to have been local resident and had no ties to the area. The Manhattan Mercury is reporting that Wyldewood Cellars Winery Manager Beth Brewer identified the man as Christopher Jolly. Updated 8:45 a.m. Friday One person is dead following a Thursday evening fire at a Wabaunsee County winery. The Topeka Capital-Journal…

A local homeless shelter is back open after months of repairs following a water leak earlier this year. The Manhattan Emergency Shelter closed in March after a contractor accidentally struck a sprinkler line on the building’s third floor, flooding the building and knocking out power. Executive Director Emily Wagner tells KMAN there were delays in repairs and getting tenants moved in due to the development of mold. The shelter can house up to 47 people per night. But over the last seven months, many of those displaced had to be temporarily housed elsewhere. Residents were able to start moving back in to…

A Manhattan man has been arrested on suspicion he intentionally set a fire last weekend to his home. The Riley County Police Department says 37-year-old Michael Ray Watt was arrested Wednesday and charged with one count of arson to a dwelling with intent to injure or defraud. He’s confined in the Riley County Jail on a $75,000 bond. Manhattan Fire Department crews were called out to the fire at 820 Church Ave. last Friday evening after a report of multiple explosions. The total loss was estimated at around $100,000. No one was injured in the fire. See related story: No…

Old man winter returns to the Manhattan area Thursday and it could be the first healthy dose of snowfall for the region. Riley and Pottawatomie counties and the surrounding region are in a Winter Weather Advisory Thursday morning through Thursday evening. National Weather Service Meteorologist Shawn Byrne says for Manhattan specifically, snow will likely begin in the mid-morning hours and by the end of the day. Byrne says two to four inches of snow are possible in the Manhattan area with locally heavier amounts in the region. Riley County Public Works Director Leon Hobson says with the warmer ground temperatures,…

Wednesday’s In Focus guests included USD 383 Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade and board member Karla Hagemeister speaking about the successful passage of the $129.5 million school bond referendum.  They also previewed Wednesday evening’s school board meeting. We also spoke with Manhattan Housing Authority Executive Director JoAnn Sutton and board member Phil Anderson about an open house at the Towers Apartments on Nov. 16.