Author: Brandon Peoples

Earlier this month, Manhattan city officials approved a professional services agreement with Anderson Knight Architects for design of Sunset Zoo’s next big conservation project. The Sunset Zoo’s Trust also agreed to sign a reimbursement agreement to donate the funds to cover the design, totaling just over $111,000. Marketing and Development Officer Melissa Kirkwood explains some of the future plans for the African Plains and Americas project. Kirkwood says the plan is to reinvent and create areas for bobcats, upgrade the barn on site and improved feeding experiences for guests. Once designs come back, Kirkwood says it’s likely a three to…

A pair of Manhattan Town Center retail stores were targeted by shoplifters this week. The Riley County Police Department says JCPenney was victimized Tuesday by two suspects who took multiple items from the store. The estimated total loss is close to $2,200. Ulta Beauty was also victimized by five female suspects who reportedly took mutliple fragrance items from the store. The estimated total loss is approximately $5,000. Anyone with information on either incident can contact Crime Stoppers.

The Kansas judicial branch is tentatively planning to restore information systems in 104 courts in Kansas by the end of the year. The Kansas Supreme Court announced last week that their information systems were disabled due to a “sophisticated foreign cyberattack” in early October. The judicial branch has not indicated what information was stolen or if the perpetrators sought a ransom. Secure computer access was set up last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide public appointment-only opportunities to search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address district court needs until the Kansas…

Governor Laura Kelly has responded to criticism of the proposed navy blue and deep gold license plates, announcing Tuesday she is halting its production. The announcement comes just six days after her office unveiled the design. The proposed plate was mostly gold with a navy strip across the top, navy numbers and no art. The bottom featured the first half of the state motto “To the stars,” in navy blue script. The plates are in sharp contrast to the current plates that are pale blue with navy letters and numbers and feature an embossed representation of the state seal. “I’ve…

Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr has announced his retirement after more than two decades in the position. Fehr spent seven weeks in Houston, Texas earlier this fall undergoing treatment for cancer, something that factored into his decision. He says the cancer was caught early and so far the prognosis is good and he hopes to keep it that way. Hired in January 1982 as the Forestry and Parks Supervisor, for the newly formed Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department, Fehr has spent his entire professional career with the City and was appointed City Manager in April 2000, succeeding Gary Greer. Other…

The 21st Judicial Nominating Commission will convene by conference call Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the nomination process to fill a district magistrate judge vacancy. The vacancy is a result of the Oct. 15 death of Judge Bill Malcolm, who had served Riley and Clay counties since 2007. Nominees must be a resident of Clay County, a high school graduate and a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas or someone able to pass an examination given by the Supreme Court to become certified within 18 months. After serving one year in office, a new judge must stand for…

Authorities are investigating an alleged report of criminal damage to property at Manhattan’s Bluemont Elementary School. According to the Riley County Police Department, the report was filed Monday afternoon after an unknown suspect trespassed into the school and broke a window screen and blinds. Damage was estimated at approximately $700. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Pottawatomie County officials voted Monday to extend a moratorium, set to expire at the end of the year on commercial solar farms, for three more years. Uncertainty over the financial benefits of such operations and property rights have been at the center of discussion since the county began writing regulations for solar in early 2021. Solar farms provide solar power greater than one megawatt with the potential of generating several hundred megawatts of electricity and encompassing several thousands of acres of rural Pottawatomie County. Commissioner Greg Riat initially had hoped for a five year moratorium after this year, but settled…

Charges have been announced against a Galena man arrested Friday following an incident on Fort Riley. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office 24-year-old Jordan Thompson is charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly assaulting two people Friday on the federal military installation. Thompson made his initial appearance Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rachel E. Schwartz. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on each count. Thompson was suspected of abducting his 3-year-old daughter from the child’s mother at gunpoint at a Fort Riley residence Friday afternoon. He was arrested that evening in…

The Riley County Police Department is set to undergo re-accreditation and will begin that process next week. For 32 years, the department has been recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) for high standards in law enforcement. On-site assessments will be held Monday through Thursday of next week, examining all aspects of RCPD’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support services. As part of the assessment, community members and RCPD employees are invited to provide comment regarding the department’s ability to comply with set standards. Accreditation is voluntary and the most recent assessment of RCPD occurred…