Author: Brandon Peoples

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…

A Manhattan man is out about $26,000 in valuables after a reported burglary Monday evening. The Riley County Police Department says a 34-year-old man living in the 500 block of Stone Drive reported that unknown suspects went into his home and stole various items including jewelry, video game equipment and shoes. No arrests have been made. Another burglary was reported Monday morning in the 2000 block of Seaton after a 29-year-old woman told police that her storage locker was broken into, with multiple items stolen, valued at less than $1,000. Police are asking anyone with tips on either case to…

Police in Marysville are sounding the alarm after uncovering a large amount of Fentanyl this past weekend. Police say they seized 22 “Dirty 30” pills, Sunday during a welfare check. According to the DEA, seven out of every 10 could’ve been laced with lethal doses of Fentanyl. Marysville Police also found powder Fentanyl, methamphetamine, Xanax and Ecstasy. The seizure reiterates the dangers of Fentanyl, which can be lethal even with one pill. While Fentanyl usage isn’t prevalent in the community, police say it is becoming more commonplace in communities across the region.