Author: Brandon Peoples

January revenues for the State of Kansas were about 6.5% below projections, marking the third straight month revenues have been less than estimated, according to the Department of Revenue. Gov. Laura Kelly says it emphasizes that any tax cuts must be done in a fiscally responsible way. The governor vetoed the legislature’s tax package in late January, setting up a showdown for a potential veto override. State Rep. Mike Dodson spoke on the issue during KMAN’s weekly legislative update Friday morning. Dodson says he’s not sure if the Senate has the votes for an override. He is concerned about…

Riley County Police are investigating a report for criminal damage to property Thursday after someone reportedly drove a vehicle into their residence. The incident was reported just after 11 p.m. in the 1300 block of Baehr Place. The victim is a 26-year-old woman and the suspect is a woman known to her. The estimated total loss is estimated to be between $3,000 and $5,000. No arrests had been noted as of Friday morning.

A Manhattan woman was the victim of a scam this week, costing her about $1,100. RCPD says officers filed a report for theft by deception Thursday in the 1500 block of Oxford Place. A 44-year-old woman told police an unknown suspect, claiming to be affiliated with a government agency, used deception to defraud her. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Manhattan Public Works crews are planning additional road work on Bluemont Ave. today, resulting in some traffic adjustments. City officials say Bluemont will be reduced to one lane in each direction, from about 6th Street to the 4th Street roundabout, until further notice for mill and overlay street repair. Shilling Construction has completed pothole repairs on Sunset and Denison Avenue, as well as 11th Street at the Leavenworth and Moro intersections. City crews reportedly filled potholes on Poyntz, Anderson and Lee as well as Hobbs, Browning, 17th and Anderson, Westport and Claflin. Motorists are advised to slow down in work…

A Junction City woman was hospitalized Thursday after a rollover crash on Interstate 70 in Shawnee County.. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 4 p.m., just west of Topeka near the Valencia Road exit, when a passenger car left the roadway, overcorrected and was sent into a roll. The vehicle came to rest on its roof on the north side of the highway. Authorities say 26-year-old Courtney Raab was transported to St. Francis Hospital with suspected minor injuries. A child was also present in the vehicle, but the crash report does not indicate their injury status.

Geary County Schools have received notification from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation that a grant has been approved that pays 80 percent of expansion costs at the new Morris Hill Elementary School on Fort Riley. The new school opened in August, enabling the closure of an aged, nearby elementary school. Superintendent Reginald Eggleston says the expansion project will provide Morris Hill with a student capacity equivalent to two former schools. The announcement of the $8.6 million grant approval ensures the project will be completed in time for the start of the upcoming school year in…

Six students in the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine have been chosen for the state’s largest veterinary scholarship program, including a Wamego student. The university says Laura Carpenter, of Wamego, is among the students selected for the Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas. Upon completion of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, each student is required to work at a full-time veterinary practice in one of the 92 Kansas counties with fewer than 40,000 residents. For each year the student works in rural Kansas, up to $25,000 per year of qualifying student loans are forgiven over a period…

A Junction City school teacher was arrested this week on drug and weapons charges. Destiny Wiser, a fourth grade teacher at Sheridan Elementary, was arrested by Junction City Police Wednesday at the school for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and criminal use of weapons. In a district letter to parents, USD 475 school officials said the incident did not involve any students, nor were any students or staff members in any danger. Wiser has since resigned, according to a district spokesperson. Additional details are pending from the Junction City Police Department. A Geary County Jail officials told KMAN…

A St. George family was displaced following a Wednesday mobile home fire. Firefighters from several agencies, including Pottawatomie County Consolidated District Number 1 were called out around 4:30 pm. to the 500 block of Maple Street. “When crews got on scene there was heavy smoke and flames showing. Nobody was home at the time. The cause remains under investigation,” said Jared Barnes, Chief of the Pottawatomie County Fire District. He says Louisville and Wamego Fire also were dispatched, but Louisville ended up diverting to a nearby grass fire. The home is a total loss.

A Riley County firefighter was recently presented the Harold Bellman Award, the highest honor presented by Riley County Fire District No. 1. John Wienck, a second generation winner, was recognized at the fire department’s annual awards banquet in January. Known for having a positive attitude, Wienck was recognized for his firefighting skills, but also for leadership in training new volunteers. He’s also actively involved in various community roles as a cattle producer, farmer and a member of the Riley County Planning and Development Board. His father Ivan Wienck also won the award in 2003. Wienck issued the following statement after…