Author: Brandon Peoples

One person was injured and a family pet died as a result of a house fire in Riley early Wednesday morning. The City of Riley Fire Department and Riley County Fire District No. 1 were called out just after midnight to 303 North Broadway Street, finding smoke and flames coming from the two-story home. The cause is under investigation from the State Fire Marshal’s Office but appears to have started on the front porch, spreading to other areas of the home. Two adults were home at the time of the fire. One got out safely and one was injured while…

A Spearville man is jailed in Riley County following extradition from Pennsylvania on a warrant for aggravated sexual battery. According to the Riley County Police Department, 29-year-old Victor Schmidt faces a single count, following a case that was reported in November 2022. An online criminal complaint shows an amended warrant alleging aggravated criminal sodomy with a victim under the age of 18, occurring sometime between January and July of 2022. Schmidt remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.

Authorities continue to search for answers in connection to the January murder of an 18-year-old from Ogden.  The Junction City Police Department said Tuesday they’d like to ask anyone who spoke to or interacted with Carson Simon between Jan. 3 and Jan. 6 to contact the department or Geary County Crime Stoppers. Information provided could lead to a cash reward.  Investigators found Simon’s body Jan. 6 in the 2700 block of Fort Ave and ruled the death a homicide.  The case is still being actively investigated and police say no further information is available.

Senator Jerry Moran visited with KMAN this week about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), recently passed by the Senate. The bipartisan bill authorizes a 5% pay raise for soldiers, as well as construction funds for a number of projects for the military. The bill also allows for supply chain alterations that would allow stockpiles to increase in Taiwan and Ukraine, as well as other ally nations. Moran explains about how the bill would impact Fort Riley. Moran says the military, and the Army in particular, is challenged by waning recruitment numbers, with estimates of up to 40,000 fewer soldiers…

Attorneys for the man suspected of killing a Fort Riley soldier outside an Aggieville bar in February 2022 filed a motion in limine Monday to have certain testimony excluded from an upcoming jury trial. Brenda Jordan and Lora Ingels noted at a pretrial conference for Tremelle Montgomery, that interactions Montgomery had with law enforcement before the murder, should be restricted since it could be prejudicial and taint the outcome or fairness of the trial. Of particular interest to the defense is an interaction RCPD Officer Seth Scobee had the week before the murder, where he witnessed Montgomery remove a firearm…

A Manhattan man was arrested Sunday on a past Riley County warrant for drug possession and distribution. According to RCPD, 35-year-old Lawrence Ekdahl faces five total charges, including single counts of distribution or possession within 1,000 feet of a school, cultivation, and for child endangerment. He also faces a pair of possession of paraphernalia charges. Online court documents show the alleged incident occurred in December 2021. Ekdahl remains jailed on a $30,000 bond.

The Riley County Police Department is investigating an incident of vandalism that occurred over the weekend at a pool in the Lee Mill Village neighborhood. A criminal damage report was filed Saturday afternoon when police say three unknown male suspects entered the community pool and clogged toilets, broke metal fencing and filled the pool with toilet paper. The incident caused close to $700 in estimated loss to the property owner. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

An open house was held Saturday at the new home of “The Pride of Wildcat Land.” The K-State Marching Band is moving into its new space at the northwest corner of the World War I Memorial Stadium. Director of Bands Dr. Frank Tracz says it’s good to have a centralized location, just footsteps away from where the band practices. For the generations of marching band alumni who utilized space in McCain Auditorium, Tracz says this is something they too can appreciate. The new space pays homage to the past, including a memorabilia room with trophies and artifacts, including instruments recovered…

A 28-year-old Salina woman was arrested Saturday night on charges of driving under the influence. According to the Riley County Police Department, Brittany Holt was taken into custody around 6 p.m. after being pulled over in the 300 block of Fort Riley Blvd. She’s charged with single counts of driving under the influence, driving while suspended (2nd conviction) and two counts of aggravated child endangerment. Holt was no longer jailed Sunday after posting a $5,000 bond.

A 34-year-old Manhattan man was jailed in a weekend rape investigation. The Riley County Police Department says Joshua Adam Jones was arrested around 3:30 a.m. Saturday on single counts of rape, domestic battery and aggravated criminal sodomy. Jones was arrested at a residence in the 3000 block of Kimball Ave. Due to the nature of the crime, no further information will be released. Bond was set at $50,000, causing Jones to remain jailed as of Sunday’s arrest report.