Author: Brandon Peoples

A local organization that provides clothing to families facing homelessness has a new location in Manhattan. The USD 383 FIT Closet recently moved into its new facility in the back of the Lincoln Education Center at 901 Poyntz Ave., the site of the former Manhattan High east campus. “We have about twice as much space as we did before,” said Jenna Booe, facilitator at FIT Closet. “Lots of room to spread out and have our clothing up on racks instead of in bins.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

Manhattan city officials unveiled a comprehensive stormwater management strategy at Tuesday’s city commission work session, highlighting critical infrastructure improvements and environmental protection efforts. The city plans to tackle four areas: neighborhood drainage systems, detention basins, water quality and flood plain management. Assistant City Manager Wyatt Thompson told city commissioners Tuesday that a significant new initiative involves an alternative off-site water quality program, modeled from the city of Wichita. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

No injuries were reported after a fire destroyed a mobile home in south Manhattan early Thursday morning. The Manhattan Fire Department says firefighters were dispatched around 1:20 a.m. to 1704 Fair Lane, lot 15 and contained the fire within 10 minutes. The cause was determined to be accidental due to the resident illegally burning trash. Loss is estimated at $1,000. The owner of the home is Raymond Fisher, who was home at the time of the fire. Click here for more local news.

Three people were arrested at a Manhattan convenience store Wednesday on charges of drug possession and distribution. Riley County Police were called out to Shop Quick, at 529 Richards Drive, shortly before 5 p.m. Police charged 28-year-old David Roman, 22-year-old Yabdiel Rodriguez and 16-year-old Xavier Rodriguez, each with single counts of possession with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute. Roman is additionally charged with marijuana possession. Yabdiel Rodriguez is additionally charged with contributing to a child’s misconduct, criminal damage to property and possession of a depressant. Roman’s bond was set at $15,000. Yabdiel Rodriguez’s…

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…