Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — A number of events celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are planned in Manhattan over the next couple weeks. Events begin this weekend at Peace Memorial Auditorium where a community celebration is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature two competitions that have taken place in art and writing. Contest committee co-chair Robin Edmunds spoke on KMAN’s In Focus recently about this year’s theme. The committee has received over 150 entries for both categories in art and writing. Edmunds says most of the entries were from the different schools…

TOPEKA — In her first address to the Kansas Legislature Wednesday evening Governor Laura Kelly outlined her goals for the year ahead, including a pitch to expand Medicaid in Kansas to cover up to 150,000 more people. (Read Gov. Kelly’s full State of the State address here) In her speech, Kelly highlighted a need to expand, noting the closure of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott two weeks ago and reports of 30 percent of Kansas hospitals considered financially vulnerable. It’s one of Kelly’s top priorities moving forward and State Sen. Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan) says the issue is still a contentious…

MARYSVILLE — Riley County Police spent part of Wednesday searching for a robbery suspect. Police say 37-year-old Russell Allen Jr. of Manhattan was located just before 8 p.m. He’s currently confined in Marshall County Jail for local charges including possession of stolen property and possession of marijuana. Earlier on Wednesday, Riley County Police had issued a news release saying they were interested in speaking with Allen regarding an aggravated robbery that occurred just before 11 p.m. Tuesday in the 200 block of Leavenworth Street. Allen is not currently charged in relation to that incident. No additional details have been released.

WESTMORELAND — An attorney has recommended that residents in the rapidly-growing Green Valley area of southwestern Pottawatomie County might be best served by forming an incorporated community. At Monday’s meeting of the Pottawatomie County Commission, Jim Kaup, with Kaup Law Office of Topeka presented stage four of the Green Valley Governance Plan with recommendations on how to move forward. Kaup’s office specializes in land-use laws for Kansas municipalities. The process of incorporating services to that area will continue in the next few weeks with plans and research being reviewed. Commissioners have noted that the county at-large would be unable to…

JUNCTION CITY — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office may soon be assisting in the Geary County capital murder prosecution involving two Junction City men charged in the killings of a mother and her unborn child. Schmidt’s public information officer C.J. Grover confirmed to KMAN via email that a formal request was received recently from the Geary County Attorney’s office. That request is now under internal review. Mashaun Jay Baker and Jamel Green, both 33 are charged with capital murder counts in the deaths of Jenna Schaefer and her unborn child. Prosecutors can seek the death penalty for the two…

MANHATTAN — A homeless man who had no clue who he was helping when he pulled Kansas City Chiefs guard Jeff Allen’s vehicle from the snow Saturday has gained national attention. Dave Cochran’s story gained traction after Allen reached out on Twitter to find the man who had helped him. For helping Allen make it to the playoff game, Allen returned the favor, awarding Cochran with tickets to this weekend’s AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. But the story doesn’t end there. Within hours of the story going viral, a GoFundMe page was set up by Manhattan resident Justin Manford.…

MANHATTAN — The spring semester begins next week at Kansas State University with some uncertainty as the federal government shutdown continues. While it isn’t impacting students borrowing federal financial aid, K-State President Richard Myers, a guest on KMAN’s In Focus Monday, said it has the potential to impact research conducted at the university. The ripple effect could be problematic if the shutdown persists for a long period of time. However, Myers says for now, the impact is minimal. In addition, the Kansas Board of Regents will continue to press the Kansas legislature to restore the $85 million in cuts made in…

MANHATTAN — New pathways exist for transitioning military members wanting a career in agriculture after their service concludes. The Servicemember Agricultural Vocation Education (SAVE) Farm located north of Keats in Riley County is helping that become a reality for many. Founder and President Gary LaGrange says applications are still being sought for their upcoming accredited course which starts Jan. 23. LaGrange says an estimated 40 percent of all transitioning military members in the U.S. are interested in a career in farming. In addition, 63 percent of all American farms are in the last generation, looking for a succession plan. In…

MANHATTAN — A suspect accused in the armed robbery of a Manhattan liquor store has been arrested. Riley County Police say 21-year-old Stephen Cortez of Manhattan was arrested Friday just after 3:30 p.m. in the 800 block of Osage Street. He was charged with one count of aggravated robbery. Cortez was issued a total bond of $50,000 and is confined in the RIley County Jail. Officers were called out to the Fifths Liquor Store, located in the 500 block of Leavenworth Street Tuesday evening just before 9 p.m. to a reported armed robbery. The suspect fled on foot with approximately…

TOPEKA — Outgoing Gov. Jeff Colyer granted two final pardons Friday as well as a commuted sentence as part of his final duties as governor. Among those receiving pardons are Chris Rickerson of Wichita. He was convicted of felony drug possession in 2006 as well as property and drug misdemeanors in 2005 and 2006. He completed his sentences and now owns and operates Elite Staffing Solutions in Wichita. The organization focuses on giving people a second chance by helping them find jobs and avoid drugs. Wandaleen Thomas, a native of Wichita now living in Colorado was granted a pardon. After…