Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County’s top prosecutor says the time is now for county leaders to start having conversations about how to address space concerns inside the Riley County Courthouse. Courts are preparing for the suspension of statutory speedy trials in Kansas to likely expire in March, meaning more trials happening, and likely over a shorter period of time. That means more people coming and going into the courthouse and with limited space in the hallways, an increased likelihood of jurors, victims, spectators, media and others stacking up in the already tight hallways. County Attorney Barry Wilkerson spoke at Thursday’s county commission meeting.…

Pawnee Mental Health’s governing board has announced a new Chief Executive Officer, who will succeed the retiring Robbin Cole. Michael Rezkalla, MPA, MA, was introduced as the board’s choice Thursday following an extensive, national search process. Rezkalla most recently worked as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of UMass Memorial Healthlink in Worcester, Massachusetts, a large multi-service, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment and community health provider. Community Healthlink is a large multi-service, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment and community health provider. Community Healthlink is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) Accredited. It is also a…

Firefighters made quick work of a basement fire Wednesday evening in southwest Manhattan. The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 5216 Stone Crest Drive just before 6 p.m., containing the fire within 10 minutes. Three residents were home at the time and got out safely along with the family dog, prior to firefighters arriving on scene. The fire was accidental due to unattended cooking. Loss is estimated at $20,000, including content and structural damage. The listed homeowners are Corey and Laverne Williamson.

The 2024 election cycle is ramping up and already four local residents have filed for seats on the Pottawatomie County Commission this fall. The board will expand from three to five seats in 2025, after voters approved as much in the 2022 election cycle. Candidates in the two new districts, 4 and 5, will be elected to two year terms, then will be up for a four year term in 2027, along with the district 1 seat, which is currently held by Dee McKee. As of Wednesday, four candidates have filed, including incumbent Greg Riat for the third district. The…

City officials are working to handle a growing number of potholes that have developed across Manhattan. The city put out a statement on social media Wednesday noting it has public works crews out in multiple locations, working to patch potholes as quickly as it can, including on Sunset Avenue south of Claflin Road. Residents are advised to use the city’s Report It app to report any non-emergency issues. The app is available for smart phones but you can also visit cityofmhk.com/reportit.

Nearly two dozen Manhattan High School musicians have been selected for the 2024 Kansas Music Educators Association All-State Honor Ensembles. All-State concerts are held at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita Feb 22 through Feb. 24 as part of the annual KMEA In-Service Workshop. According to the KMEA website, each year students in Kansas can perform at District Festivals and at the KMEA In-Service Workshop. The audition process begins in their own school, progresses through their KMEA District Organization and culminates with selection to the All-State ensembles. Student musicians have the opportunity to audition to perform in choirs, concert…

1:35 pm Tuesday update Riley County officials say the portion of Wildcat Creek Road that closed Tuesday morning, due to a turned over semi truck has reopened to traffic. Original story 11:25 a.m. Tuesday Wildcat Creek Road is currently closed, due to a semi that turned over sometime before 11 am Tuesday on an icy stretch in the 500 block. The Riley County Police Department says no injuries were reported. The road is expected to be blocked for several hours. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route, if traveling in the area.

WTC commitment approved Riley County commissioners moved Monday to commit $5,000 toward a grant application to expand public WiFi hot spots to under-served areas of the county. The action follows a request from WTC last week seeking support for a 10% match toward an ADOPT grant from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. The program will award close to $15 million to organizations in Kansas addressing challenges of broadband availability. The company should find out within the next few weeks if it qualifies for the project. Keats lagoon project update In other business, Riley County officials hope to make a…

Riley County USD 378 has placed its superintendent on administrative leave following action earlier this month. The school board on voted 4-3 on Jan. 8 to place Cliff Williams on administrative leave with pay, for currently unspecified reasons. Erin Flair has been named interim superintendent. Flair declined comment on the matter, in a phone call with KMAN Monday. The board held a special meeting on Jan. 18, where board member Nathan Mead moved to revoke a legal letter implemented at the prior meeting and reinstate Williams as superintendent. However that motion failed 3-4, with board members Jarred Anderes, Samantha Brown,…

One person was transported Monday morning following a two-vehicle crash near 3rd Street and Fort Riley Blvd. The Riley County Police Department says the crash happened just after 11 a.m. Names of the parties involved weren’t immediately available, but the injuries were not believed to be life threatening. The other driver was not injured, but was cited following the crash. It was the second such crash in that area since Friday, when three vehicles collided near 4th and Fort Riley Blvd. Yolanda Broyles-Gonzales, 74, of Manhattan, was hospitalized following that crash with non-life threatening injuries. Police said 42-year-old Joshua Lewy,…