Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved an easement requested by the Kansas Department of Transportation for an upcoming roundabout project at Hwy 13 and Tuttle Creek Blvd. KDOT is purchasing a little more than an acre of land on county property near the volunteer fire district’s station 112, located on Hwy 13 near Tuttle Creek Dam. KDOT will pay the county $1,837.50 as it prepares for the upcoming project. Public Works Director John Ellerman… “Basically the easement was to improve the drainage. They increased the depth of the creek and lined it with rock to ensure the drainage comes across there…

Caterpillar has announced it will close its Wamego facility next year. The closure will occur in mid-2025 according to a company spokesperson. An official statement was released late Thursday: “To better utilize capacity and ensure alignment with the company’s long-term strategy, Caterpillar Inc. today notified its workforce at its Wamego, Kansas, facility that it will close in mid- 2025. This facility manufactures work tools and attachments. The company will support employees during this transition.” The Wamego facility manufactures and distributes a large variety of machine attachments for than 25 different product groups, according to information on its company website. The…

One person was injured Wednesday afternoon following a crash in east Manhattan. The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened just after 12:30 p.m. in the eastbound lanes of Hwy 24 near the Manhattan Town Center when a van failed to yield while crossing the eastbound lanes and was struck by an oncoming pickup. The driver of the van, 64-year-old Odessa Richardson-Williams, of Manhattan was transported to Via Christi for a suspected minor injury. The crash report states there was a minor in the vehicle, but juvenile records are protected data. Authorities say the driver and passenger in the other vehicle,…

As the City of Manhattan ponders the future of indoor aquatics and a funding strategy for parks and recreation, the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 school district figures to have some involvement. During an appearance on KMAN’s In Focus, Superintendent Eric Reid commented on the potential partnership the district could have with the city on any such project. Earlier this week, a majority of the Parks and Rec Advisory board favored sending the Move MHK Master plan draft to the city for final consideration, with a few recommendations, including that an intergovernmental partnership be formed between the city, Riley County, USD 383…

No injuries were reported after a crash Tuesday night that briefly shut down the eastbound lanes of K-18 near the Manhattan Regional Airport. According to the Riley County Police Department, the accident involved a wrong-way driver that hydroplaned and struck a jersey barrier during heavy rainfall. The driver was not hurt, but emergency personnel had to clear the roadway of debris. Traffic was restored to normal within an hour. Officers are working a single-car accident on K 18 between mile markers 182 and 183 eastbound. Traffic was completely shut down but is due to open soon to one-lane traffic. Please…

A Florida woman has been taken into custody in connection to alleged election fraud in Kansas. According to a release Tuesday from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, Nebraska authorities arrested 47-year-old Jamie Johnson, of Dade City, Florida, on May 29 for forging signatures on petitions to make “No Labels” an officially recognized political party in Kansas. The allegations were reviewed by Secretary of State Scott Schwab before the case was forwarded to Kobach’s office. Johnson is charged with multiple counts of election fraud in Johnson County District Court, including one of election perjury and 18 counts of election forgery. As…

A Manhattan man was arrested early Tuesday morning on a host of charges, including fleeing from police. According to the Riley County Police Department, 23-year-old Thomas Leggio was charged on probable cause offenses of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference, flee or attempt to elude with five or more moving violations and reckless driving, in addition to other traffic offenses. The arrest was made in the 500 block of Rio Hondo Way, in northeast Manhattan. Bond was set at $5,000, but police say Leggio was not confined as of Tuesday’s arrest report.

The Pottawatomie County Commission could look drastically different in 2025 as voters will consider four candidates this fall as the commission expands from three to five seats. With the fields now set for that and other local races, one local organization is planning to host a series of candidate forums this summer, partnering with city officials and local city chambers of commerce. Pottawatomie County Economic Development (ECODEVO) Director Shanna Goodman says the first two opportunities are coming later this month in Wamego and St. George. Goodman says it’s a good opportunity for voters to be informed, especially given the expanding…

As the noon Monday deadline for candidates to file looms, the current roster of local candidates is starting to take shape. At the local level, incumbent Riley County commissioners Greg McKinley and Kathryn Focke are unopposed in the second and third districts. All other county level races feature incumbents who are running unopposed. Pottawatomie County has four seats on the upcoming primary ballot for the county commission, which is expanding from three to five seats. In district two, former county clerk Nancy McCarter and resident Merl Page have filed. Both are registered Republicans. Incumbent Pat Weixelman is not seeking re-election.…

A Randolph man was killed Sunday afternoon in a crash in rural Clay County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 92-year-old Marion Brenner was southbound on Utah Road around 1:30 p.m. and failed to yield right of way at the Hwy 24 intersection. His vehicle was struck by an oncoming pickup driven by 44-year-old Jeff Sells, of Mankato. Brenner was taken to Clay County Medical Center, where he later passed away. Sells and a passenger in the pickup were not injured.