Author: Brandon Peoples

Pottawatomie County officials got their first look at the proposed 2024 budget at a Monday work session. County administration is proposing an approximate half mill levy decrease, with an estimated valuation increase of over $22 million, over $229,000 in additional ad-valorem taxes and a $1.6 million increase in budgeted expenditures. Commission Chair Pat Weixelman explains where much of the added expenses are coming from. The proposal includes for a 5% cost of living adjustment for employees, as well as anniversary increases paid out at a half a percent annually and 4% every five years. County administrators are also requesting to…

More details have been released regarding an ongoing investigation into white powder found in envelopes sent to Kansas legislators and public officials. According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, samples of the letters containing the mysterious powder were sent to a laboratory for testing, with preliminary results indicating no signs of common biological agents of concern. Approximately 100 letters were received across the state. Further testing is planned as officials with KBI, the FBI and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment work to determine the components of the substance.

Authorities are investigating a rise in the number of fentanyl-related deaths in Riley County. The Riley County Police Department noted in a Friday release that it has taken reports of eight suspected fentanyl-related overdose deaths since the beginning of this year. A majority of those overdoses involved young adults, aged 18 to 24, with most of those coming from counterfeit oxycodone pills, commonly referred to as “dirty 30s.” Fentanyl is also commonly hidden in counterfeit pills appearing as Xanax, Percocet, or Adderall and has been found in cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin. RCPD Director Brian Peete says the community is…

Junction City Police have arrested a 40-year-old man following an overdose of a 40-year-old woman Wednesday shortly before midnight. The woman was transported by the Junction City Fire Department to Stormont Vail Flint Hills, and later to Topeka in critical condition. Detectives with the Junction City Drug Task Force served a search warrant in the 300 block of West 13th Street, ultimately charging Alex Schooler in connection. Cocaine, fentanyl pills, marijuana and nine firearms were seized along with roughly $17,000 cash. Schooler faces seven total charges, including distribution of a controlled substance causing great bodily harm or death, distribution within…

A Lecompton man has been bound over for trial for causing a fatal crash near Wamego last summer. An all-day preliminary hearing was held Thursday in Pottawatomie County District Court for 45-year-old Mark Stanwix. Judge Erich Campbell found there was sufficient evidence to bind Stanwix over on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of aggravated battery and a single count of interference with law enforcement, for destruction of evidence. Arraignment is tentatively scheduled for July 21, with a trial date to be determined. Stanwix was driving a semi truck that rear-ended a pickup last August, east of Wamego. The…

Two former Wamego High teachers were sentenced Thursday in Pottawatomie County District Court for their roles in an inappropriate relationship with a former student. Allen Sylvester was sentenced by Judge Jeff Elder to five years in prison. He’ll serve 31 months consecutively on both charges of unlawful sexual relations, with 24 months of post-release supervision on both counts. Allen’s wife, Deborah Sylvester, was sentenced to probation with an eight month underlying prison sentence on the charge of aggravated child endangerment and six months for failure to report as a mandatory reporter. Both sentences will run consecutively. Deborah was ordered to…

Kansas State University will announce details in the coming weeks on how it will replace outgoing Provost Chuck Taber, who on Tuesday announced his retirement after the fall 2023 semester. In a statement Wednesday in K-State Today, President Richard Linton thanked Taber for his leadership and announced that the university will begin the process of bringing together a search committee in the coming weeks to lead the search for a successor. The committee will likely be stood up in July, with interviews being conducted in the early part of the fall semester. Linton says the goal is to have a…

Riley County Police have released more details about the three people hurt in a Tuesday crash near the Public Works shops. Police say 48-year-old Rodney Dugan, of Leonardville stopped in the eastbound lanes of Tuttle Creek Blvd. when he came upon a vehicle on fire. As he stopped, a pickup driven by 51-year-old Jack Bowen, of Marysville, rear-ended his car. Passengers in Bowen’s truck, including 38-year-old Heidi Bowen and two minors were transported to Ascension Via Christi for treatment of various pain and non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt has announced she’s been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. The Topeka Republican, who began her second term in January released a statement Wednesday, saying she will continue work at the Kansas Insurance Department with support of her staff and says operations will not be interrupted. “As Insurance Commissioner and a pharmacist, I have often played a supporting role in many Kansans’ fight against cancer.  Now that I am on the other side, their stories, their determination and their strength are the foundation on which I face this fight. I am grateful for the incredible medical team…

4 p.m. update Tuesday The Manhattan Fire Department says fire investigators have determined used staining rags that ignited due to spontaneous combustion, were the cause of a garage fire at a Manhattan home early Tuesday morning. Two cats were rescued from the scene and provided oxygen by Riley County EMS on scene. Another cat died from smoke inhalation. The home’s occupant was able to exit the structure without injury. The estimated total loss was approximately $50,000. According to the fire department, there was heavy fire and smoke in the garage, but it did not extend into the living area of…