Author: Brandon Peoples

8 p.m. update Tuesday Authorities in Geary County say they’ve located the remains of 24-year-old Pacey Staines, the man reported missing since reportedly going out hunting Sunday morning. Officials with the Geary County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks made the discovery Tuesday evening, shortly before 6:30 p.m. Pending an autopsy, more information may be released. A missing persons report went out Monday evening after authorities said Staines hadn’t been heard from in over 24 hours. He had gone out hunting near Milford Lake and authorities conducted a search Monday and Tuesday nearby in an effort…

American Airlines announced Sunday it will postpone resuming commercial flights to Manhattan Regional Airport from the initial September 6 date, until September 25. The announcement comes as the airport’s massive runway reconstruction project remains behind schedule. As reported by News Radio KMAN last week, the City of Manhattan’s general contractor, Clarkson Construction, has faced a number of setbacks this summer, including supply chain disruptions and workforce shortages. Reservation agents from American Airlines began contacting customers impacted by the change. Flights reserved between September 6 and September 24 are being rebooked to the Kansas City airport or refunded. Airport Director Brandon…

A Junction City man is in custody after police say he fled from a crash Saturday in southwest Manhattan. According to the Riley County Police Department, officers responded around 11:15 a.m. near the intersection of Scenic and Skyway Drive after the driver had fled the scene of the crash, leaving a 3-year-old child in the crashed vehicle. Police say the car struck the curb of the roundabout, went airborne, and came to rest on top of the raised barrier. No serious injuries were reported. The driver, 22-year-old Elijah McLeroy, was located later in the day near the Stagg Hill Golf Course. Police say…

Record breaking heat is expected to continue over the next several days. An excessive heat warning remains in place areawide through Wednesday evening. Saturday saw Manhattan become the hottest place in the country, according to the National Weather Service in Wichita, after a 115 degree reading was measured. It is an unofficial new record for the city, based on current data. According to weather officials, Manhattan, as well as Lawrence and Emporia don’t have data going as far back in time as Topeka and Concordia. (See below). The previous all-time record, according to current data, was 111 degrees, recorded on…

The Department of the Army announced Friday the deployment of the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade to Europe in support of European Allies and partners. Officials at Fort Riley say the team deploying will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the United States’ commitment to NATO Allies and partners. Most recently, the team deployed in early 2021, throughout Eastern Europe, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. “The 1st Combat Aviation Brigade has some of the Army’s best Soldiers and Aviators. We have trained diligently over the past…

A $108,000 change order on the guaranteed maximum price for renovations at the former Manhattan High East Campus building was unanimously approved by USD 383 school board members Wednesday. The district plans to install angled parking along the east side of 10th Street between Pierre and Houston, a significantly less costly option than initial plans for a parking lot at the southeast corner of 9th and Houston Streets. “We cannot expect employees to go to work and not have a parking space. As long as we have the budget, and I’ve been assured we do, I’m voting for this,” said…

The state’s top agriculture officials took part in the 2023 Kansas Agricultural Growth Summit, hosted at the Manhattan Conference Center. Gov. Laura Kelly kicked off the summit, touting the industry’s importance to the state and its strength despite challenges from drought. “There’s no doubt: Kansas remains a worldwide powerhouse in agriculture. But it’s also clear that to keep our ag industry modern and competitive, we have to solve two major challenges facing us: water and workforce shortages,” Kelly said. Those topics were the focus of the morning session Thursday, led by K-State Agricultural Economics professor Nathan Hendricks and National Council…

A legal nonprofit has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Kansas State University, alleging an annual scholarship it promotes is racially discriminatory and violates federal law. In its complaint, The Legal Insurrection Foundation’s Equal Protection Project alleges K-State’s Joey Lee Garmon Undergraduate Multicultural Student Scholarship violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act for recipients of federal money to create, support and promote a racially segregated program. It also alleges such conduct violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The organization, which was involved in the U.S. Supreme Court case challenging Harvard University’s race-conscious admissions policies earlier…

Preliminary enrollment numbers were shared Wednesday with the Manhattan-Ogden School Board, showing an anticipated growth this fall of about 1.6%. The report was shared at Wednesday’s board meeting, which was moved from the Robinson Education Center to the Manhattan High School commons area, due to a power outage, which delayed the meeting by a half hour. About 97% of the district’s estimated 6,539 students have enrolled for the fall, with the first day count at just under 6,400. There are still about 140 students yet to have enrolled for the fall, including 118 at Manhattan High School, based on data…

Riley County has temporarily closed the Fairmont Park dog park, after a dog who visited the park was diagnosed recently with canine parvovirus. The highly contagious viral infection affects puppies and unvaccinated dogs and is known to spread through direct contact with an infected dog, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. The county closed the park as a precautionary measure. Pet owners are strongly encouraged to keep their dogs away from the dog park during the closure, which is in place through the weekend and follow their veterinarian’s guidance on vaccinations and preventive measures. Any pet…