Author: Brandon Peoples

The Riley County Police Department says an investigation is underway following the death of an inmate confined at the Riley County Jail this weekend. Corrections Officers located 38-year-old Laura Pearce unresponsive in her cell just before 8:30 a.m. Saturday. According to an RCPD news release, officers immediately began lifesaving measures. Riley County EMS was dispatched and arrived a short time later. After lifesaving measures were continued by paramedics, Pearce was pronounced dead. RCPD says there is no evidence of foul play. The cause of death is believed to be suicide. Pearce had been extradited to the Riley County Jail March…

The Kansas State Department of Education announced this week that 261 high school seniors have been named 2023 Kansas Career and Technical Education Scholars — the highest number ever since the program’s inception in 2017. Students must have completed a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two above introductory level and have a 3.5 or better GPA in CTE coursework among other requirements. Six Manhattan High seniors were named to that list. They include: Melany Busot-Reyno Suzanne Chaffee Nissa Olsen Alessandra Porres Soledad Rodriguez Carissa Tepe Two Wamego High seniors were named to the list as well. Allie…

A Manhattan man is jailed on a number of charges involving alleged incidents of domestic violence. The Riley County Police Department arrested 41-year-old James Watkins Thursday morning after conducting a search warrant in the 3300 block of Woods Drive. Police say a 35-year-old woman reported Watkins on multiple occasions battered her. He’s also accused from a March 28 altercation of hitting the woman, taking her phone not allowing her to leave for several hours. Watkins is being held on requested charges of interference with with law enforcement after being uncooperative during the police execution of a search warrant. He’s also…

Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a verbal declaration of disaster emergency, due to wildfires across Kansas. The declaration allows the state to preposition assets for faster response to any fires that develop. Resources including aviation will be available and prepared to respond quickly to any requests for assistance. Extreme dryness has developed in many parts of Kansas over the past month displaced from the last wetting rain. According to the National Weather Service, Manhattan has received barely a trace of precipitation in April. The last measurable rainfall came on March 28 (.03 inches). The U.S. Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry…

Wamego’s annual Tulip Festival returns this weekend, one of the community’s biggest tourism draws each year. More than 160 craft vendors will set up inside Wamego City Park, including about 20 food vendors, a petting zoo and bouncy houses. There will also be a new family fun area with interactive activities. Wamego Area Chamber of Commerce Event and Tourism Coordinator Tiegan Kreider says there will also be plenty of live entertainment throughout the weekend. Tulips will also adorn the community, including throughout the park. The Tulip Festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.…

“We’re here. We believe you. We support you. It’s not your fault.” That was the message Kathy Ray delivered to a gathering outside the Riley County Courthouse Thursday over the noon hour. The executive director of The Crisis Center Inc, was one of several from the Flint Hills Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) to give remarks at the event, held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is recognized in April. Ray says the team is working on responses and a number of efforts in the community to ensure victims and survivors feel supported throughout the process. “That they…

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is suing the Biden Administration over its listing of the wild, colorful lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. Kansas joined Texas and Oklahoma in the suit which says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service broke federal law by failing to adequately consider pre-existing and voluntary measures to protect the birds and ignoring the role of rainfall’s impact on the prairie chicken population. The suit also alleges the designation is unconstitutional and restricts personal property rights of Kansas landowners. In a statement, Kobach says the listing will make drilling new oil wells in western…

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…