Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Police are investigating at least three different allegations of rape. According to Monday’s activity report, police arrested 21-year-old Ryan Jones, of Manhattan Friday evening at the Riley County Jail on a warrant for aggravated sexual battery and rape, stemming from a September 2022 incident. Jones is free after posting a $50,000 bond. Officers also filed two separate reports of rape over the weekend, taking reports from a 19-year-old woman Friday and a 21-year-old woman Sunday. Due to the nature of the crimes, no further information will be released.

Authorities in Junction City have made two arrests in connection to the Jan. 6 homicide of 18-year-old Ogden resident Carson Simon. The Junction City Police Department says 21-year-old Andre Baker, of Junction City, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of first-degree murder and interference with law enforcement. Bond is set at $1.5 million. Police also arrested 23-year-old Johnnae Bisio, also of Junction City, Friday on a charge of first-degree murder. She’s being held without bond, awaiting a first court appearance. Simon’s body was located the morning of January 6 in the 2700 block of Fort Avenue. Police ruled his death…

A taste of winter returns this weekend and into next week. A freeze warning is in effect Friday night through Saturday morning and another hard freeze is expected Monday with lows dipping into the teens. Rain this weekend will mix with snow and sleet Sunday morning, with only a dusting possible. Road conditions shouldn’t be a major hazard though Kansas Mesonet Manager and Meteorologist Chip Redmond says you should always use caution with wet conditions. As for Halloween, Redmond says expect to bundle up those trick-or-treaters. Daytime high temperatures will remain in the 30s to lower 40s into next week.

Three people have been arrested in connection to a shooting at a house party last Saturday in Manhattan and police say one person remains at large. The Riley County Police Department says 21-year-old Cordarius Gowdy, of Ogden, 18-year-old Damerius McGee, of Ogden, and 21-year-old Christopher Stowers, of Manhattan, each were arrested Thursday on probable cause offenses that include three counts each of attempted first-degree murder, three counts each of aggravated battery and one count each of firing into an occupied dwelling. A fourth suspect, 18-year-old Marc Oliver (pictured) remains at large and police say he is believed to be armed…

After three weeks of having no speaker, the U.S. House of Representatives elected Mike Johnson, with all 220 Republicans voting in favor of the Louisiana Congressman. Johnson was the party’s fourth nominee for speaker in three weeks. Speaking with KMAN Thursday, Kansas 1st District Congressman Tracey Mann said he believes Johnson can be a unifying voice for the party. Mann voted for all four candidates who received nominations. Asked whether that was to speed the process along, Mann responded that he and others in the GOP jumped aboard based on his track record on policy. With the House now back…

The long time CEO of Pawnee Mental Health is calling it a career. Robbin Cole announced Thursday on KMAN’s In Focus that she’s retiring after 28 years with the organization, including the last 18 as its CEO. She says things are looking better for community mental health than they have at any point in her career. Cole is referring to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, specially-designated clinics providing a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use services, that serve anyone who walks through the door, regardless of their diagnosis and ability to pay. She says her decision to retire…

Authorities in Pottawatomie County made two arrests this week in connection to a pair of burglaries reported in late September. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant was executed Tuesday at a residence in rural Blaine, in response to burglaries and thefts from an outbuilding in the 20,000 block of Highway 99. Deputies arrested 45-year-old Daniel Hale, of Blaine, on a charge of burglary, while 41-year-old Katrina Taylor, of Blaine, was charged with possession of stolen property. Both are free after posting $10,000 bond. The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted burglary reported Monday in Westmoreland. Deputies…

Six weeks after being convicted of premeditated murder, a former Fort Riley soldier has been sentenced to life in prison. Judge John Bosch handed down the sentence to 21-year-old Tremelle Montgomery Tuesday for his role in the shooting death of 21-year-old Joshua Wardi in February 2022 in Aggieville. Wardi was also a soldier serving at Fort Riley. According to the Riley County Attorney’s Office, the sentence includes life with parole eligibility after 50 years, followed by another 167 months to be served, if and when he ever is paroled on the murder conviction. Montgomery was convicted last month on seven…

The Manhattan City Commission reviewed an annual progress report for the city’s floodplain management plan. The city’s current plans are documented online and Tuesday’s review included how the city is working to improve education on flood insurance, warning systems to alert the community during flooding events and regulations to encourage flood-smart construction, as well as mitigation efforts to buyout properties most at risk. Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman presented at Tuesday’s meeting. Heatherman previewed what some of the future efforts will include. The city included a tenant notification program in the ordinance revisions within its Manhattan Development Code, which have…

Earlier this week, the Manhattan City Commission reviewed an annual progress report for the city’s floodplain management plan. The city’s current plans are documented online and Tuesday’s review included how the city is working to improve education on flood insurance, warning systems to alert the community during flooding events and regulations to encourage flood-smart construction, as well as mitigation efforts to buyout properties most at risk. Stormwater Compliance Engineer Bill Heatherman… Commissioners were supportive of ongoing efforts. Linda Morse noted sometimes it’s easy in drought years to forget about the flood risks in Manhattan. The city has a link on…