Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police have announced the arrests of three additional Manhattan teenagers believed to be connected to an alleged battery in Aggieville earlier this month, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to five. According to Thursday’s arrest report, 16-year-old Avante Cunningham, 16-year-old Kaeden Guerrero and 14-year-old Nehemiah Jackson were taken into custody Wednesday on charges of aggravated robbery and battery. Cunningham is confined in the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Center. Jackson and Guerrero are confined in the Reno County Juvenile Detention Center. The arrests are tied to an April 12 incident in Aggieville involving a 17-year-old victim,…

A short-term fix to reduce safety hazards at the Blue Earth Plaza water feature will move forward. City commissioners reached consensus at Tuesday’s work session to allow Parks & Rec to solicit bids to fill in the water stream area, commonly used as a wading pool, with a paver system. “Insurance has recommended that we either fill it in or barrier it off,” said Aaron Stewart, director of Manhattan Parks & Recreation. “I really wouldn’t see the point of filling it with water. People are going to get in it and they’re going to cross the barrier, so that liability…

Ongoing maintenance issues within the Blue Earth Plaza water feature will highlight Tuesday’s discussion at the Manhattan City Commission work session. The open body of water has up to 18 inches of depth in some spots and is a popular wading pool and splash park for the community. Over the past few years, however, Parks and Rec staff have identified safety concerns and problems with operation of the sanitation system, inoperable leapers, and deterioration of the pebble ledge. Midwest Public Risk found that unintentional use of the feature could lead to a drowning hazard, while exposed bolts are a puncture…

A “workforce housing” project in northwest Manhattan is one step closer to becoming a reality. City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution of intent to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) on Little Kitten Avenue, setting the stage for a May 20 public hearing. Frontier Development is looking to construct 26 new duplexes, at a total cost of around $9 million. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

Rep. Sydney Carlin said Monday she decided to flip her vote last week on a package of 15 overrides of Gov. Laura Kelly’s budget vetoes because of K-State. Carlin, a Manhattan Democrat, told The Mercury her decision was based on protecting a funding request from Kansas State University to construct a diagnostic laboratory at the university’s Veterinary Medical Center. “There’s been some argument about whether it was really a state lab or not,” she said. “(Kelly) vetoed it two years in a row, and I thought, ‘This can’t go on.’” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…

One person is jailed following a several-month-long narcotics investigation led by Junction City Police and the Geary County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said 39-year-old Mashaun Baker, of Junction City, was arrested Wednesday on a host of charges after officers executed search warrants at two homes in the 1100 block of Haven Drive and the 2000 block of Thompson Drive in Junction City. Charges include distribution, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, unlawful acquisition of proceeds from drug transactions, possession of stolen property and no drug tax stamp. Officers seized approximately 1.25 pounds of…

Jayme Minton was appointed to fill a vacancy on the commission in May 2024, following the resignation of former commissioner Wynn Butler. She becomes the first candidate to officially file for the 2025 city race. In a statement to the Manhattan Mercury Wednesday, Minton said she has enjoyed serving and connecting with the community to better understand the needs and processes of the city. “As a commission, we have engaged in major initiatives to secure and grow our community now and into the future,” she said. “I am excited to run for city commission this fall and continue to grow…

The city of Manhattan is considering a roundabout at Anderson Avenue and Bellehaven Road, near K-State’s Unger Complex. City staff members presented to the commission on Tuesday a proposal to include a roundabout or signalized intersection as part of the city’s upcoming reconstruction of Anderson Avenue over the next two years. Assistant city manager Wyatt Thompson said staff members are in favor of the roundabout option. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

Parking will be a challenge in Aggieville this summer because of construction, so business owners want city officials to nix parking fees. The Manhattan city government plans to close Moro Street from North Manhattan Avenue to 12th Street as well as from 11th to 12th Street for street improvements. City commissioners on Tuesday considered a request to waive parking fees in the garage during the 30-day construction window, from May 19 through June 20. “This is really important for us to try to get some relief and to try to keep these businesses as viable as we can,” said Dennis…

Officials have revised the total acres burned in a Monday evening wildfire in far northeast Riley County. According to a Tuesday news release from the county, the Harmony Road fire scorched an estimated 650 acres, down from initial estimates of 1,000 acres. No injuries were reported to people or livestock and no structures were threatened. The fire involved a prescribed burn that became out of control and burned for several hours before firefighters brought it under control. “We are incredibly grateful for the assistance from neighboring counties, the State of Kansas and our dedicated volunteer firefighters,” said Russel Stukey, director…