Author: Brandon Peoples

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.

Authorities in Geary County are investigating after several items containing THC (the main active ingredient of cannabis)and drug paraphernalia were seized Thursday from a Junction City vape shop. According to the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant was executed at Space Out Smoke and Vape, located at 433 East Chestnut, in reference to an investigation into the distribution of a controlled substance. In doing so, officers seized approximately 1,450 items containing THC and about 1,200 items of drug paraphernalia. Many of the items are packaged similar to legitimate candy which the Sheriff’s Office says easily entice children into wanting…

Area firefighters responded to a grass fire near Tuttle Creek Blvd. and Purcell Road, north of Manhattan Friday morning. Firefighters were called out around 9:30 a.m. and contained the fire shortly after 11 a.m. The fire ignited a wooded area west of the highway, leading officials to block a single lane of southbound traffic on Tuttle Creek Blvd as well as access to Purcell. No word yet on what caused the fire, but Riley County officials say foul play is not suspected. Responding agencies included Riley County Fire District No. 1, Manhattan Fire, RCPD and Riley County EMS.