Author: Brandon Peoples

The annual Everybody Counts event is planned for this weekend in Manhattan. Community members can head over to the Douglas Recreation Complex Saturday to receive various free services and information from multiple local organizations. Chair Debbie Nuss says attendees can receive free health screenings, haircuts, clothing and more. Approximately 60 local organizations will set up information booths as well. The event runs from 9 am to noon. A free brunch is available on a first come first serve basis. ATA Bus will also be offering free rides city-wide on Saturday.

Two people have been arrested for an alleged burglary of a Manhattan home. The Riley County Police Department says officers filed a complaint Thursday afternoon in the 5300 block of William Wood Road, listing an 88-year-old man as the victim. An estimated total loss was not immediately available. Police say 33-year-old Sarah Drake, of Wichita, and 28-year-old Austin Sherwin, of Junction City, were arrested in connection. Both are charged with burglary. Drake is additionally charged with interference. Both remain jailed on separate $10,000 bonds.

A Manhattan man was charged Wednesday with sex crimes involving a minor. According to the Riley County Police Department, 34-year-old Corneal Johnson was arrested in the 400 block of Fremont Street. Johnson is charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The Crime was originally reported to RCPD on April 27 and involved a victim under the age of 18. Johnson was issued a bond of $50,000 and remains confined in the Riley County Jail.

Close to $30,000 has been raised by candidates seeking a seat on the Manhattan City Commission this fall. Campaigns were required to file their first round reports July 24. Seven of the nine candidates submitted reports, showing financial contributions and expenditures between January 1 and July 20. Incumbents are outpacing the field, with Mayor Mark Hatesohl raising over $12,500 and John Matta raising over $7,400. Peter Oppelt leads all challengers in overall fundraising, generating close to $6,200, followed by Susan Adamchak with $2,400 raised and Rosemary Crumly-Loucks receiving $1,450. Karen McCulloh raised just $30 and Darqel Brown turned in a…

One person was injured and a family pet died as a result of a house fire in Riley early Wednesday morning. The City of Riley Fire Department and Riley County Fire District No. 1 were called out just after midnight to 303 North Broadway Street, finding smoke and flames coming from the two-story home. The cause is under investigation from the State Fire Marshal’s Office but appears to have started on the front porch, spreading to other areas of the home. Two adults were home at the time of the fire. One got out safely and one was injured while…

A Spearville man is jailed in Riley County following extradition from Pennsylvania on a warrant for aggravated sexual battery. According to the Riley County Police Department, 29-year-old Victor Schmidt faces a single count, following a case that was reported in November 2022. An online criminal complaint shows an amended warrant alleging aggravated criminal sodomy with a victim under the age of 18, occurring sometime between January and July of 2022. Schmidt remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

Authorities continue to search for answers in connection to the January murder of an 18-year-old from Ogden.  The Junction City Police Department said Tuesday they’d like to ask anyone who spoke to or interacted with Carson Simon between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6 to contact the department or Geary County Crime Stoppers. Information provided could lead to a cash reward.  Investigators found Simon’s body Jan. 6 in the 2700 block of Fort Ave and ruled the death a homicide.  The case is still being actively investigated and police say no further information is available.

Senator Jerry Moran visited with KMAN this week about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), recently passed by the Senate. The bipartisan bill authorizes a 5% pay raise for soldiers, as well as construction funds for a number of projects for the military. The bill also allows for supply chain alterations that would allow stockpiles to increase in Taiwan and Ukraine, as well as other ally nations. Moran explains about how the bill would impact Fort Riley. Moran says the military, and the Army in particular, is challenged by waning recruitment numbers, with estimates of up to 40,000 fewer soldiers…

Attorneys for the man suspected of killing a Fort Riley soldier outside an Aggieville bar in February 2022 filed a motion in limine Monday to have certain testimony excluded from an upcoming jury trial. Brenda Jordan and Lora Ingels noted at a pretrial conference for Tremelle Montgomery, that interactions Montgomery had with law enforcement before the murder, should be restricted since it could be prejudicial and taint the outcome or fairness of the trial. Of particular interest to the defense is an interaction RCPD Officer Seth Scobee had the week before the murder, where he witnessed Montgomery remove a firearm…

A Manhattan man was arrested Sunday on a past Riley County warrant for drug possession and distribution. According to RCPD, 35-year-old Lawrence Ekdahl faces five total charges, including single counts of distribution or possession within 1,000 feet of a school, cultivation, and for child endangerment. He also faces a pair of possession of paraphernalia charges. Online court documents show the alleged incident occurred in December 2021. Ekdahl remains jailed on a $30,000 bond.