Author: Brandon Peoples

LAWRENCE — Two people were injured early Wednesday morning when a Riley County ambulance returning from a medical transport to Kansas City collided with a passenger car on the Kansas Turnpike near Lawrence. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, just before 2 a.m. a passenger car driven by 79-year-old James Beck of Topeka was westbound on Interstate 70 near the K-10 exit when it collided with the ambulance driven by 33-year-old Scott Ten Eyck of Wamego. The impact caused the vehicle to spin and hit the barrier wall and it then struck the ambulance again in the side, causing it…

MANHATTAN — The latest addition to benefit a number of manufacturing industries is now open in Manhattan. Deibel Laboratories recently announced the opening of its newly renovated lab space at 1500 Hayes Drive. Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Director Trent Armbrust explains what the company has done to improve its facilities. According to a release from the company, Deibel strives to offer a “one stop shop” philosophy to clients. Armbrust says the lab will be significant to the local and regional economy. One industry in particular that stands to benefit greatly from the newly renovated lab space is…

Riley County Police have arrested two Manhattan men on drug charges. Police say 19-year-old George McGrew was arrested just after 5 p.m. Tuesday on two counts of distributing hallucinogenic drugs less than 3.5 grams within 1,000 feet of a school. He’s also charged with possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. McGrew is confined in the Riley County Jail on a $30,000 bond. Also arrested was 19-year-old Gage James Anderson on a charge of unlawful possession of a hallucinogen. Anderson was released from jail after posting bond which was set at $1,000. Both men were arrested in…

The Riley County K-State Research and Extension Office is going through some changes this season. Among them is at the leadership level as Riley County Extension Director Jennifer Wilson is making a jump at the end of November to a new leadership role in Topeka. She spoke with KMAN recently about her new role. Wilson says she looks forward to the challenge of her new position. The Riley County Extension office will promote an interim director while they search for a new person to fill Wilson’s shoes. Wilson’s last day on the job is Nov. 30.

MANHATTAN — Open enrollment is underway now for Medicare beneficiaries and a local agency is providing free, unbiased help to those who have questions. Trained Senior Health Insurance Counselors for Kansans (SHICK) are currently providing this service by appointment at the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, located at 401 Houston Street in Manhattan. Executive Director Julie Govert-Walter says it’s free advice anyone can and should take advantage of. Last year, the agency says SHICK counselors saved those who changed plans an average of just under $1,700. Govert-Walter says counselors also can answer many questions about changes to specific plans. Govert-Walter…

Manhattan city streets are gradually thawing out after snow fell virtually all day Sunday. Streets Supervisor Robert Ott tells KMAN that after getting through roughly 50 percent of residential streets Sunday, crews began their third shift working Monday morning. Ott says street crews planned to tackle more of the residential and side streets by Monday evening. He also encourages elderly residents who need help to sign up for the city’s snow partners program. Ott says drivers should increase the stopping distance from other vehicles. Elsewhere in Riley County, Public Works Director Leon Hobson says sunlight, coupled with calm winds Monday…

Road crews have been working round the clock after a rare November blizzard struck northeast Kansas Sunday. Heavy snow and strong winds forced a number of road closures around the state including portions of Interstate 70 west of Topeka and areas northeast of Manhattan. A number of roads around Manhattan remain completely snow covered and that’s led to a number of schools in the region calling off classes Monday following the long holiday weekend. Gov. Jeff Colyer issued a State of Disaster Emergency declaration for the state earlier Sunday which authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist…

Blizzard warnings are now in effect for Riley, Pottawatomie, Geary, Clay and Wabaunsee counties as well as most of northeast Kansas from 6 a.m. through 6 p.m. Sunday. The National Weather Service in Topeka anticipates snow to begin falling early Sunday morning, producing anywhere from 4 to 7 inches for the Manhattan area, with higher amounts possible, especially to the north and east. Heavier snow is expected in some areas, especially near the Kansas-Nebraska border. Snow is expected to last most of the day but be out of the area by late Sunday evening. A major factor impacting travel conditions…

The Kansas Highway Patrol says one person is dead and another in critical condition after a wreck northwest of Manhattan Thursday morning. Shortly before 6 a.m., officers responded to the 6700 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. for a two-vehicle wreck. According to the highway patrol, 54-year-old Jamie Franch of Riley was southbound on US 24 when her passenger car crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head on. The vehicle came to rest on its side in the west ditch. The second vehicle was driven by 18-year-old Mersades Wisner of Holdrege, Nebraska. It came to rest in the driving…

JUNCTION CITY — A Topeka woman is jailed in Geary County after leading officers Tuesday on a vehicle pursuit. According to the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, Alexis Oliver faces a host of charges including fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. She was arrested after leading a pursuit in Geary County after an officer attempted to serve a misdemeanor warrant. Additional charges include interference with law enforcement officer, obstructing and resisting arrest and failure to wear a seatbelt. Oliver also was charged with disorderly conduct and interference with a law enforcement officer from a separate incident in February in…