Author: Brandon Peoples

RILEY — A 9-year-old girl involved in a three vehicle crash northwest of Manhattan has died, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol. The child, one of five involved in a crash at the east junction of US 24 & US 77 near Riley was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita Wednesday morning where she passed away. An 8-year-old was also flown to KU Medical Center and remains in serious condition. KHP cannot confirm whether they were wearing their seat belts. Two infants and a 2-year-old were treated and released for their injuries. The crash occurred Tuesday evening around 5:30…

MANHATTAN — An investigation into a hit and run incident that seriously injured a Manhattan woman continues with new information regarding a possible suspect. According to a release from the Riley County Police Department, the vehicle involved in the Nov. 30 accident near the intersection of Hunting and Denison was recovered Tuesday. Police say they’re interested in speaking to the registered owner 23-year-old Hassan Rueda of Manhattan and have released a current driver’s license photo in an attempt to locate him. The pedestrian, 61-year-old Susan Keller of Manhattan was seriously injured and KMAN learned Monday that she was being treated…

MANHATTAN — Prevention efforts are being stepped up locally to help combat opioid abuse. The Riley County Health Department found out last week it received a $75,000 federal grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to partially fund those prevention efforts. Health Department Director Jennifer Green says the money will be used to ramp up training efforts to local health officials and entities and help develop a needs assessment. Green says the grant also allows for mental health first aid training and identifying adverse childhood experiences to help health officials identify high risk individuals early on. Green adds that…

Tuesday’s In Focus guest was Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr, discussing city business and previewing Tuesday’s legislative action session. Big agenda items include Aggieville Infrastructure Phase 2 report, a consideration of specialized projectors at the Flint Hills Discovery Center and ordinance first readings on modifications to various water and sewer rates as well as changes to stormwater rates.

MANHATTAN — A preliminary autopsy report has determined that an infant child died from abusive head trauma last month. D’Khari Lyons, 23, was arrested Nov. 15 and is charged with murder in the baby’s death. An obituary and GoFundMe page started by the family identifies the infant child as Michael Calvert Jr. According to an affidavit obtained by KMAN, a medical examiner noted the child’s death to be from abusive head trauma, in particular from bleeding and skull fractures. It lists the manner of death as homicide. In the report, the doctor, whose name is redacted, says the hemorrhage within…

Riley County Police have determined a suspect in Friday’s hit and run accident involving a pedestrian. Police have not named the suspect as the investigation continues. RCPD officers were dispatched to the intersection of Hunting and Denison, on the west edge of the K-State campus Friday evening around 5:15 p.m. When they arrived, they found the pedestrian, 61-year-old Susan Keller of Manhattan had been struck by a small white 4-door car. Keller was transported to a Kansas City area hospital with serious injuries. Police ask anyone with information to contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crims…

Gov. Jeff Colyer on Monday issued an executive order following the death of former President George H.W. Bush. Following President Donald Trump’s declaration of Wednesday, Dec. 5 as a National Day of Mourning, Colyer issued a separate order designating it a state holiday as well. As a result, all state offices will be closed on Wednesday. Flags have also been ordered at half-staff for 30 days. State of Kansas offices were closed to mourn the deaths of other presidents including most recently Gerald Ford, who passed away in 2006 and Ronald Reagan in 2004. Bush died Friday night at the…

MANHATTAN — Manhattan Fire Department officials made quick work Saturday morning of a fire at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel at 410 S. 3rd Street. Upon arrival, shortly after 6:30 a.m., crews found fire located in the hotel’s laundry room. It was determined that the building’s sprinkler system contained the fire to a commercial dryer unit and the fire was quickly extinguished. There were no reports of any injuries. The total loss was estimated at $40,000 to the contents and $10,000 to the structure. The fire cause was determined to be accidental.

MANHATTAN — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has notified the City of Manhattan that $18.4 million is being awarded in fiscal year 2019 to fund improvements to Manhattan’s levee system. The total cost of the project will be approximately $26 million and city officials will have several options to cover the remaining $7.5 million. The levee system provides fortification to 1,600 acres of land, 7,600 residents and protects a total economic impact estimated at $1.2 billion. Manhattan Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers says the project tells KMAN why these upgrades are so crucial. The project intends to raise the levee…

A sock drive is underway in Manhattan. This is the sixth year for the “Sock It To ‘Em Sock Campaign” which has seen more than 30,000 pairs of socks collected and distributed to different agencies since it began. Organizer Regina Schroeder is a sock ambassador for the Colorado-based 501c3 nonprofit and says it highlights a need some of us don’t always think about. Schroeder tells KMAN what their goal is for this year. Two awareness events are happening in December including No Sock Sunday, happening Dec. 2 to kick off collection efforts in Manhattan churches. On December 12 it’s No…