Author: Brandon Peoples

MANHATTAN — Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) announced plans for his future during a news conference Friday morning at the Kansas Department of Agriculture headquarters in Manhattan. The 82-year-old Republican chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee and has been known by some of his colleagues of reaching across the aisle to get things done. Roberts credited the bipartisan work to pass a farm bill last month, noting a “thread of comity in the Senate.” When he leaves office in 2020, Roberts will hold the title of Kansas’ longest serving member of Congress. Roberts called the passing of the farm bill one of his…

MANHATTAN — Flu season is here and local health officials are re-emphasizing the need to get your flu shot. During KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday, Riley County Health Department Clinic Supervisor Leslie Campbell says while a vaccination doesn’t guarantee you won’t get sick, it is better than the alternative. Flu season generally begins in September and continues through early May. This time of year is the peak flu season. Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams says for many, the flu season is just beginning . Campbell says vaccination is a public health concern and is important to lessen the impact locally. Andrews…

MANHATTAN — Baby watch 2019 officially came to an end in Manhattan Wednesday. Via Christi Hospital announced that baby Vincent was born at 11:22 a.m. Jan. 2 to mother Cheyenne Russell of Junction City. The baby was the first delivered at the hospital in 2019. Vincent came in weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. The hospital says mom and baby are doing well. (Photos courtesy Via Christi Hospital Marketing & Communications)

MANHATTAN — A Manhattan man is in custody after Riley County Police say he violated the terms of his offender registration. Samuel Sargent Kempf, 42, was arrested Wednesday in the 1100 block of Vattier on a charge of violating offender registration, second conviction. A search of the Kansas Offender Registry finds that Kempf was convicted in 2005 on a charge of possession of child pornography in Missouri. Kempf is lodged in Riley County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Highway Patrol saw increases in DUI arrests, speed citations and speed warnings during its annual New Year’s weekend holiday activity. Officers worked two fatality crashes during that time span but neither was DUI-related. The crashes occurred in Thomas and Wyandotte counties. KHP reported 22 DUI arrests, along with 954 speed citations, 825 speed warnings and 118 adult seat belt citations. Each were increases over last year and each also reached three-year highs. KHP also assisted 885 motorists on Kansas highways during the extra enforcement period which began at 6 p.m. Dec. 28 and concluded at 11:59…

MANHATTAN — Colder weather is greeting us here in the new year and while it won’t stick around much this week, it is an important reminder that winter is here and can be brutal for outdoor animals. For horses in particular, having adequate shelter in pastures is a must and can be done with a simple metal frame three-sided structure with a roof. Laurie Beard, clinical professor and section head of equine medicine and surgery with Kansas State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine explains other possible alternatives. Signs your horse may be having difficulty with the cold temperatures could be…

MANHATTAN — Riley County Police made a pair of notable arrests over the weekend. On Friday, RCPD officers arrested 25-year-old Terry Boyd Canfield hours after he was released from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. Canfield is charged with one count of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery. He had spent time in prison since 2015 on a pair of theft charges. He’s being held in Riley County Jail without bond. Police also arrested a California man Sunday on a warrant for two counts of failing to appear. Jose Manuel Bustamante is jailed on…

McFARLAND — There’s some good news for residents of the small Wabaunsee County community of McFarland. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory that was initially issued Christmas Eve, due to a loss of pressure. Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of McFarland indicated no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination have been deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved. For additional information, visit kdheks.gov or call 785-296-1317.

MANHATTAN — No injuries have been reported after a fire broke out Friday morning at Manhattan’s Short Go Boot Outlet, at 420 Tuttle Creek Blvd. Manhattan Fire crews were called to the scene sometime before 6 a.m. and the building was fully engulfed. As of 7 a.m. the fire was still an active scene but Public Information Officer Ryan Almes confirmed there were no injuries. It isn’t clear yet how the fire started. There was significant damage to the building, however an official damage estimate is pending. Riley County Police Department officials tell KMAN it hasn’t caused any traffic adjustments…

JUNCTION CITY — One person is behind bars in Geary County after eluding officers on a high speed pursuit Wednesday afternoon. The Geary County Sheriff’s Office says Scott Keady of Kansas City, Missouri was arrested on multiple charges including flee and elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of heroin, drug paraphernalia and stolen property. Officers began the pursuit on I-70 in Geary County which continued into Dickinson County. No injuries were reported and the chase ended with no damages to the vehicles involved in the pursuit. Keady was taken into custody with a first appearance set for Thursday afternoon.