Author: Brandon Peoples

Authorities are searching for the person responsible for a drive-by killing of a trophy buck in southern Riley County. According to a social media post from the Kansas Game Wardens, it happened around 10:30 a.m. Nov. 24 a few miles south of Zeandale. The buck was shot with a rifle through the hind end and died. Officials say a local farmer was feeding their cattle nearby when the deer ran out and someone in a white Chevy truck fired one shot from the passenger side, striking the deer. The farmer was reportedly walking in the pasture near the cattle and…

RCPD reported two more thefts involving Manhattan retailers on Thursday. Police say Ulta Beauty was victimized for the second time in less than a week when two thieves stole multiple items from the store Thursday afternoon. The total loss is estimated at just under $2,500. Dick’s Sporting Goods was hit up a short time later by two suspects who took multiple items from the store, valued between $1,000 and $1,500. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

The Riley County Police Department is investigating after suspects damaged city property and stole equipment belonging to the Parks and Recreation Department. A report for burglary and criminal damage to property was filed Thursday afternoon at the Sunrise Cemetery. Police say a suspect damaged a screen and glass on an exterior window and then stole a 2021 Polaris 4×4 Ranger, in addition to tools and a welder. The estimated total loss is over $21,000. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

Riley County officials have greenlit a potential new water tower project to be constructed near the county shops. Representatives from Rural Water District Number 1 and local engineering firm Schwab Eaton presented on the need for an easement to build a future 300,000 gallon tank. Jared Brooks with Schwab Eaton says they’re targeting the Highway 24 corridor between the Public Works shops and Blue River Hills Road. The water district already has a 200,000 gallon tank in the area, but it’s undersized to serve the current population. Once the new tower is constructed the rural water district would have 500,000 gallons…

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help identifying a suspect in reference to a forged check case from late October. Authorities say a forged check transaction occurred on Oct. 27 at the Manhattan Menard’s store, causing a total loss of over $1,000. The person of interest is wearing a surgical mask in surveillance images, making identification difficult. The Sheriff’s Office says the man left in a dark colored flatbed truck that was parked at the back of the parking lot near Panda Express and Bomgaars. The truck had a trailer attached with a silver sedan loaded on…

The City of Manhattan has named an interim director of Public Works. Lynden Lawson will assume duties starting Friday. He previously was the Public Works Deputy Director for the City of Joplin, Missouri for 10 years after retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps. He has been Interim Public Works Administrator for Manhattan since September 25. “It has been great having Lynden on board, assisting with our Public Works Department operations and administrative needs at a very busy time,” said Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr. “His knowledge and experience in an Interim Director capacity will serve us well going forward.” Lawson…

In recent weeks there has been a slight uptick in COVID-19 cases across the country. A new variant, from a previously thought to be uncommon strain, now accounts for about one-tenth of circulating viruses according to the Centers for Disease Control. Locally, Ascension Via Christi has also seen some rise in new cases presenting to the hospital, though not nearly to the level of what it saw three years ago. President and CEO Bob Copple says the hospital went back to universal masking earlier this month. Copple says the newest variant seems to begin with a cough. He advises the…

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…