Author: Brandon Peoples

It’s a been a busy few days for Geary County and Junction City Fire officials. On Monday, a house was destroyed by fire in the 13000 block of Lower McDowell Creek Road. A couple living in the home got out safely, along with one dog, but Fire Chief Garry Berges confirmed one animal died in the fire. The house was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been called in to assist with an investigation Tuesday into the cause of the fire. A damage estimate wasn’t immediately available. The Red Cross is also assisting. On Friday,…

Significant progress has been made on a wildfire spanning portions of northern Riley and Pottawatomie County, with fire officials noting Monday the area is about 80% contained. Personnel from both Riley and Pottawatomie County fire districts, along with Kansas Forest Service held a joint news conference from the Blue Valley High School football field, moments after a black hawk helicopter landed, dropping off some of those personnel from assessing the situation. Deputy Riley County Fire Chief Doug Russell… Pottawatomie County Fire Chief Jared Barnes says the fire, which began as a controlled burn Friday afternoon, quickly became out of control,…

9 p.m. Sunday update After two days fighting a wildfire in northern Riley and Pottawatomie counties, firefighters and emergency crews have made some progress. In Pottawatomie County, officials say the evacuation notice has been lifted and residents were able to return home. The main fire remains located north of Cleburn Road and west of Shannon Creek Road. The fire is estimated to be 50% contained. No injuries have been reported and no structures or livestock have been lost. Crews will be back out Monday to make sure all hot spots have been extinguished. In Riley County, multiple agencies have…

The USD 378 Board of education filled two open seats Thursday evening. Stephanie Swiercinsky and Kevin Kenney were appointed to fill seats previously held by Nathan Mead and Justin Ricketts, who both resigned on March 4. The two were interviewed during a special school board meeting Thursday evening at Riley County High School. Earlier in the meeting the board also agreed to pay $1,824 to Ness County Sheriff Brandon Mitchell for investigative services for a previous alleged Kansas Open Meetings Act violation, prompted by board president Samantha Brown. The vote was 4-1 and taken before the two new appointments were…

Two serious injuries were reported after a three vehicle crash near the intersection of Seth Child and Claflin Road Wednesday afternoon. Authorities from the Riley County Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Manhattan Public Works were called out just after 2 p.m. and remained on scene for close to an hour, directing traffic, after a Big Lakes Developmental Center bus and two other vehicles collided. The crash sent three people to the hospital, with what were initially viewed as non-life-threatening injuries. However, according to the RCPD, two of the patients were later transported via life-flight to Stormont Vail Health Center…

A Manhattan man is behind bars in connection to drug distribution resulting in death. The Riley County Police Department says 22-year-old Daron Marsean Island-Jones was arrested Tuesday, charged with distribution of opiates, dissemination of a controlled substance resulting in fatality and utilization of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation. The charges stem from a June 2023 incident involving an overdose death of a 25-year-old unidentified Manhattan resident. Police say the investigation into this and other Fentanyl-related overdoses remain active and ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact RCPD.

An investigation continues into a cybersecurity incident involving Riley County’s P25 emergency radio systems. The incident was discovered Monday, prompting an emergency disaster declaration from the county commission, which allows the county to be able to request additional communications transmission resources from the State of Kansas. Emergency Management Director Russel Stukey says the county’s radio system is essentially computer controlled. “It manages the radio traffic so that we don’t have to have as many antennas and repeaters at each site,” he said. Additional support arrived from the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) Monday evening when the state’s Communication on…

City crews are out this week hauling off debris for residents free of charge as part of Manhattan’s annual spring cleanup. Parks Superintendent Casey Smithson says a lot of work goes into this week, primarily from Public Works crews with the parks department supplementing staff to support haul off efforts. He spoke about the spring cleanup on KMAN’s In Focus Monday. Rains made collection a little more difficult Tuesday morning, said Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr, but he says he appreciates the cooperation of residents and city crews. Residents are advised to have their items on the curb and ready…

Riley County officials issued a disaster emergency declaration late Monday after the county’s P25 public safety agency radio communication system lost connection as part of a cybersecurity incident that developed earlier in the day. Emergency responders in Riley County are currently using the backup state system for emergency communications. P25 is a solution for intra-agency communication, which allows for interoperable, multi-agency communications during an emergency. Officials say the issue is affecting all first responders including police, fire and emergency medical services, but does not impact the public or 911 systems. Dispatchers are still able to receive calls, dispatch resources and…

Riley County Police have released surveillance video from a local retailer in an attempt to identify a man suspected of making fraudulent purchases in Manhattan. The individual, who appears to be a white male, is seen exiting the Best Buy store. Police say they’re seeking to speak with the man regarding the unauthorized use of a credit card, resulting in fraudulent transactions totaling close to $4,700 at Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Family Dollar on March 7. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers. Can you identify the individual in this video footage? We are seeking to…