Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

MANHATTAN — More people flew out of Manhattan Regional Airport in 2018 than any year before. The record 70,705 enplanements were due to a number of factors, says MHK Airport Director Jesse Romo. It was the second consecutive year for record enplanements after 2017 saw more than 66,000 passengers board flights out of Manhattan. The month of December also was strong with 6,600 passengers flying out of Manhattan compared to 5,900 in December 2017. The load factor (percentage of seats filled on each plane) also increased from 71 percent to 74 percent in 2018. As they look ahead, Romo says…

MANHATTAN — University and business leaders gathered Wednesday for a panel discussion on workforce. The discussion, facilitated by the METL Coalition includes bringing together Chambers of Commerce from Manhattan, Emporia, Topeka and Lawrence. This particular event centered around workforce needs both from the university and business perspective. K-State President Richard Myers was joined by KU Chancellor Dr. Douglas Girod and Emporia State President Allison Garrett on the panel. Myers spoke with KMAN about the importance of starting a conversation to address workforce needs. Myers says retaining students after graduation remains a challenge. He says many don’t have the career opportunities…

10 a.m. Wednesday MANHATTAN — Riley County Police continue to investigate after an aggravated robbery and aggravated assault took place Tuesday night at a Manhattan liquor store. Police say an unknown suspect stole money from Fifths Liquor in the 500 block of Leavenworth Street shortly before 9 p.m. The suspect fled from the scene on foot and has not been located. Officers say three individual citizens and the business were listed as victims in this case. The estimated total loss was approximately $400. Police are asking anyone with information to contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Officers have…

MANHATTAN — Riley County authorities are investigating an alleged sexual assault that occurred New Year’s Eve and seeking the public’s help to identify a potential suspect. According to the Riley County Police Department, the incident occurred after midnight New Year’s Eve in Aggieville. Video of the suspect was taken after he spoke with Aggieville officers at a bar that night. The video was reportedly taken before the incident which occurred in a nearby parking lot. Video of the suspect can be found on the RCPD Facebook page and is seen below. Anyone with information should contact police or Crime Stoppers…

MANHATTAN — A Topeka woman arrested last week in Manhattan is alleged to have used a motor vehicle as a deadly weapon toward another individual. A complaint filed in Riley County District Court charges 20-year-old Dejaniqua Bush with aggravated assault, criminal threat and theft from the JCPenney store at Manhattan Town Center. Bush is accused in the Jan. 3 assault of Telfer Paul Halsey with a deadly weapon, a motor vehicle.  The aggravated assault charge is a severity level 7 person felony. Bush also faces a charge of criminal threat in the incident, a level 9 person felony. In addition,…

Update 2 p.m. Wednesday MANHATTAN — An 82-year-old Manhattan man has been identified as the victim of a vehicle-pedestrian crash Tuesday. Riley County Police say Lee Hildebrecht was crossing the street at the intersection of N. Juliette Ave and Bluemont at around 8:45 a.m. when he was struck by a passenger car. Hildebrecht was transported to Via Christi Hospital with critical injuries. The driver, 21-year-old John Wendt of Manhattan was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Update 1 p.m Tuesday:  MANHATTAN — A pedestrian was seriously hurt Tuesday morning after being struck by a vehicle…