Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

A Kansas City man was arrested in Riley County this week on a warrant alleging rape. The Riley County Police Department says the single rape charge against 19-year-old Trenton Bunnell is alleged from July 2022. The arrest report states that the victim in the case was under the age of 14. Due to the nature of the crime, no further information is being released. Bunnell remains jailed on a $75,000 bond.

The Riley County Police Department says a group of college students were the victim of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property early Wednesday morning. Officers filed a police report just after 1 a.m. after three men, aged 18 to 19, reported an unknown suspect egged vehicles and shot paintballs at fraternity members in the 500 block of Sunset Ave. No arrests have been made and no further information has been provided. Tips can be submitted to Manhattan/Riley County Crime Stoppers.

Pottawatomie County appears to be moving toward extending a temporary moratorium on solar farms. The current moratorium expires at the end of this year and all three commissioners still aren’t unified in how best to approach balancing property rights concerns with environmental and economic concerns. Commissioner Greg Riat favors a five year moratorium versus a permanent moratorium. Commissioner Dee McKee against adopting any lengthy moratorium. Commissioner Pat Weixelman said he could settle for a three year moratorium. With no clear timeline consensus, the commission directed the County Planner to draft a temporary resolution with an undefined time limit, to be finalized…

Kansas State University is among a coalition of regional organizations selected as of one of 31 Tech Hubs designated this week by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub or KC BioHub, will aim to build biomanufacturing capacity and bring in jobs and businesses to the Kansas City area. It will be led by Kansas City-based BioNexus and have the ability to receive up to $75 million in federal funding over the next five years as well as bring other private investments in biotech and biomanufacturing to the region. K-State Vice President…