Author: Brandon Peoples

Authorities are investigating a theft reported Thursday at the Army National Guard on Levee Drive. RCPD says a 21-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect removed a lock and stole military gear. The estimated total loss is a little more than $3,200. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran is applauding the Senate’s passage of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. In a statement Wednesday, Moran said the annual spending bill “invests in our nation’s weapons stockpiles and technology, provides support and resources for our military families and makes strategic investments to fortify our defenses against adversaries like China and Russia.” He also says the deal makes strategic investments along the southern border. Among Moran’s priorities within the NDAA are new investments at Fort Riley, including $105 million authorized for construction of an Aircraft Maintenance Hangar, $1.6 million for the planning and design of a…

A Wamego woman and her child died following a collision with a semi truck Wednesday in rural Marion County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the semi was stopped in a work zone on US Highway 56, waiting for a flagger. Shortly after 11 a.m. a passenger car driven by 43-year-old Jessica Henson, failed to stop, striking the rear end of the semi truck. Henson and her young child, who was a passenger, were both pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear if either was properly restrained at the time of the crash. The truck driver, 21-year-old Trevor Stevens, of…

Earlier this week, the Wamego School Board approved a memorandum of understanding regarding concurrent enrollment with Manhattan Area Technical College. Similarly, Manhattan-Ogden Schools will consider their agreement on Dec. 20. MATC has been working with its district partners since the summer on restructuring the existing agreement. A temporary fix was agreed upon in recent weeks, which will see the college share costs at a 50/50 split for this year. Wamego USD 320 Superintendent Rob McKim explains how that agreement differs from what’s been in place previously. MATC Dean of Academic Partnerships & Outreach Chris Boxberger says the issue for the…

One person was injured Wednesday after a crash on I-70 in Riley County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, an eastbound motorhome went into the median just after 9 p.m., about four miles east of the Manhattan exit, then drove off an embankment into a creek. The driver, identified as 65-year-old Nilas Manley, of Spokane, Washington, was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital for minor injuries. The crash report says Manley was the only occupant.

Wamego city officials were unable to find an interested buyer for the building locals refer to as “Not the Chrysler House,” at the southeast corner of Highway 99 and US 24. The historic house, once thought to be the birthplace of automotive industry executive Walter Chrysler, sits on property deeded to the city years ago from the Kansas Department of Transportation. City Manager Stacie Eichem. Eichem says city staff are exploring best options for future public use of the property, but admits the location, at the corner of two highways, creates a tricky situation. Community members raised funds to move…

State and federal agriculture officials say highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been identified in two egg layer facilities in Kansas. The facilities are in McPherson and Rice counties. There have been five cases of avian influenza identified in the state this fall and 21 cases identified since the start of the outbreak last year. Positive cases were identified in backyard flocks in both Pottawatomie and Shawnee counties earlier this month. The Kansas Department of Agriculture says it’s working closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on a joint incident response at the affected premises. Guidance on biosecurity…

A property in the 2800 block of Blackjack Road is causing some concerns among Pottawatomie County officials, due to a potential health hazard that’s redeveloped. County Sanitarian Scott Schwinn provided an update at Monday’s meeting. The property has developed a lot of clutter, mostly in the form of metal, but it isn’t something the county can necessarily force the property owner to clean up. Last month the property was the scene of a shooting that left one individual injured and placed another man behind bars. In other business Monday, updates on roads were provided. Among them the Havensville Bridge was…

Kansas residents can now weigh in on the next state license plate. Gov. Laura Kelly announced Monday a website where the public can vote on five designs created by Kansas-based marketing firm Mammoth Creative Company, in partnership with Kansas Tourism. Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Friday. The five options, while continuing to align with Kansas Tourism’s “To the Stars” branding, incorporated previous public feedback, including a lighter blue on the original proposal, a State of Kansas outline, wheat and sunflowers. State officials say the plate proposals were also chosen because they prioritize public safety with clear, simple designs that…

Retail thefts have been on the rise over the past few weeks. Riley County Police filed two more reports for theft over the weekend, this time at Walmart. On Saturday, police filed a theft report after two suspects stole multiple Lego sets, totaling over $1,000. On Sunday, the store reported to police that two suspects stole three iPad 9s, totaling around $1,150. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers.