Author: Brandon Peoples

The Riley County Planning Board/Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this week unanimously recommended denial of a proposed electrical substation in the Ashland Township near the Konza Prairie Biological Station. More than 90 people, including nearby landowners and other residents attended a Monday hearing, many voicing opposition, citing proximity to a nearby cemetery, the preservation of the scenic area near the Konza Prairie and other factors. The board concurred, noting the proposal doesn’t fit criteria of its Vision 2025 Comprehensive Plan, most notably a section that outlines agricultural preservation and rural character. Board member Diane Hoobler was on the 2009 task…

Congressman Tracey Mann met with constituents Tuesday at the Wefald Pavilion in City Park, part of his ongoing listening tour across the Big First district. Among the topics he highlighted were the debt limit and an upcoming showdown on the matter between Republicans and Democrats. The Congressional Budget Office projects that if the current $31.4 trillion debt limit remains unchanged, the government’s ability to borrow using extraordinary measures will be exhausted between July and September, with the U.S. in danger of defaulting on its debt obligations. Mann says he’s optimistic that President Biden will meet with House Republicans at some…

The Kansas Court of Appeals has affirmed that the City of Manhattan pay close to $30,000 in attorney fees to a local couple following their successful lawsuit over a damaged mailbox. The decision was published April 7 and can be in the document below. The case stems from a December 2019 incident involving a city-owned snowplow that struck a stone mailbox, cracking its base. Marti Wickham and William Franz successfully sued the city and in November 2021 were awarded approximately $3,200 for the mailbox and roughly $10,000 for attorney fees. The city agreed to pay for the mailbox but were…

Two people accused of killing a Junction City couple last month are now in custody in Geary County, following their extradition from Michigan. The Junction City Police Department says 33-year-old Steven Pierce and 29-year-old Kallie Peters are both jailed on bonds of $1.5 million. The pair were located March 19 by the Michigan State Patrol in Saginaw County, about two hours northwest of Detroit. Both are charged with two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated robbery and one count of felony theft in connection to the deaths of 80-year-old Roland Krissman and his wife, 75-year-old Valerie Krissman. The…

The City of Manhattan plans to close both inside lanes of Highway 24 near the intersection of Levee Drive as work begins on intersection improvements to accommodate its new Joint Maintenance Facility. City Manager Ron Fehr briefed Pottawatomie County commissioners on the project Monday, saying that work will begin on April 17. Complicating matters is an upcoming Kansas Department of Transportation maintenance project from Excel Road west to Manhattan Town Center. Fehr says the KDOT project was initially to begin toward the end of May, however he says it may actually start sooner. The city’s intersection improvements, which will include…

Riley County officials shared information Monday on a pair of wildfires that burned over 3,500 acres last week. The first happened Thursday in the area of Halls Ravine Road, north of Randolph where a prescribed burn became out of control, burning private land and igniting flood debris on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property. Close to two dozen volunteers with Riley County Fire District No. 1 responded, with mutual aid provided by Waterville and Manhattan Fire Departments. A total of 1,500 acres burned. Riley County firefighters also responded Friday to Tabor Valley Road in the southeastern part of the county…

A weekend fire at Riverchase Mobile Home Park is under investigation and authorities say it may have resulted from children playing with a cigarette lighter. Crews from Riley County Fire District No. 1 were dispatched to the structure fire around 4 p.m. Saturday at Lot 29. Arriving firefighters found a small garden shed fully engulfed, which was quickly contained, but not before doing some limited damage to adjacent homes, which included melted vinyl siding from radiant heat. Damage is estimated at $10,000. No injuries were reported. The property is owned by Riverchase Mobile Home Park. The Riley County Police Department…

A Manhattan man was injured Saturday afternoon in a crash on I-70 in Wabaunsee County. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 67-year-old Richard Stitt was westbound near the K-99 exit when his Chevy Equinox entered the median and struck a culvert. The impact caused his vehicle to travel into the eastbound lanes before crossing back through the median and coming to rest. Stitt sustained a suspected minor injury and was transported to Ascension Via Christi. Stitt is the co-executive director of local nonprofit Morning Star Inc.

A Manhattan chiropractor has been charged with misdemeanor sexual battery. According to the Riley County Police Department, 50-year-old Kenyon Erickson was arrested March 30 in Pottawatomie County on a warrant filed by the Riley County Attorney’s Office March 23. Erickson remains free after posting a $2,000 bond. An online criminal complaint alleges the crime from April 14, 2022 against a then 46-year-old victim. Erickson will make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. April 17 in front of Judge John Bosch. Erickson is the owner of Erickson Chiropractic in Aggieville.

Easter egg hunts will be happening across the area this weekend. The Manhattan Lions Club hosts a hunt annually at City Park. This year’s event is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday and will include 3,000 eggs, as well as donated Easter egg baskets for children who don’t have one. Age groups are as follows: Area 1 – south side of City Park (2-3 year-olds) Area 2 – southwest corner of City Park (4-5 year-olds) Area 3 – northwest corner of City Park (6-8 year-olds) Kids can line up on the sidewalks near Poyntz Ave. and on the south and 14th…