Author: Brandon Peoples

Area legislators met for the session’s first legislative coffee Saturday at Sunset Zoo. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors these informative sessions as a way for constituents to connect on state issues. Chamber Director of External Affairs Mike Matson moderated the event and shared questions from audience members with the four legislators from Manhattan. The full recording is shared at the bottom of this story. On the issue of Medicaid Expansion, the Manhattan delegation generally agreed the issue is one that won’t likely gain traction this session. Sen. Usha Reddi (D-Manhattan) says expansion would essentially be a benefit to…

Manhattan High School’s west campus was placed on a lockdown Friday afternoon, after police investigated a graffiti message perceived as a threat, on a bathroom wall, circulating on Snapchat. The Riley County Police Department determined the message was not credible after some thought it was related to a planned pep rally that evening. Officers decided to evacuate the building room by room to ensure the safety of all students and staff. The building was cleared, with officers leaving the area shortly after 4:30 p.m. RCPD says it is still investigating the origins of the message, but don’t believe any threat…

A Topeka woman was arrested Thursday by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office following a short pursuit. Authorities say Destynee Thomas led law enforcement on a brief 14 mile pursuit Thursday just before 11:30 a.m. Deputies had been responding to an accident in the eastbound lane of Interstate 70, near mile marker 310, when Thomas’ SUV passed their location, nearly striking one of the patrol vehicles. A deputy, who was seated in that vehicle, pulled out and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Her vehicle slowed briefly before resuming the speed limit. Thomas was pulled over with the assistance of Kansas…

The Manhattan Fire Department has determined that a house fire Tuesday was caused by a juvenile playing with a lighter. No injuries were reported. A dog and cat were rescued from the two-story home at 913 Pierre Street. Damage was estimated at $90,000 including structural and content loss. The home’s occupants were alerted to the fire quickly and got out safely. Responding firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes.

A Manhattan man was arrested for trespassing on the grounds of three schools Thursday, according to Riley County Police. In a statement, RCPD says officers were called out for a suspicious man inside Anthony Middle School around 7:30 a.m. as students were arriving for classes. According to RCPD, 22-year-old Samuel Osenga was stopped by staff, directed to the office and asked to leave the school but refused. During this time, students were held in their classrooms until the situation was resolved. He left before officers arrived. A short time later, police say Osenga was found in the parking lot of…

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 has named Nathan Downs as it’s next Assistant Superintendent. Downs, a former school psychologist in the district, is the current executive director of special education at Geary County USD 475, a job he’s held since 2018. He began his career as a school psychologist in Wamego. “Over the last two decades I have devoted my life to serving the needs of our students, staff and families within the Flint Hills in public education,” Downs said in a USD 383 news release. “I am humbled and excited to be blessed with the opportunity to continue doing so as…

A winter storm warning goes into effect for our area at 9 p.m. tonight through noon tomorrow. The National Weather Service says a major winter storm will move through the region, dumping between 4 to 8 inches of snow throughout the region along with strong winds, gusting up to 35 mph, leading to the potential for near blizzard conditions and drifting snow. The Manhattan area could pick up anywhere between 3 to 5 inches. Travel is expected to be treacherous late tonight and into the morning hours on Thursday. Be sure to check the Closings and Delays page for the…

One week after Kent Glasscock announced his retirement from K-State Innovation Partners, the organization has named a new president and CEO to succeed him. An internal search led to Rebecca Robinson being promoted to that role. Robinson has been with Innovation Partners for 14 years. Prior to her accepting the president job, Robinson served on the organization’s leadership team as chief corporate engagement and economic development officer, facilitating strategic industry partnerships and directing economic development initiatives to the Manhattan area. According to the university, Robinson participated in or led the recruitment of 27 technology-based companies to the Manhattan region, creating…

No injuries were reported after a house fire at 913 Pierre Street Tuesday evening. The Manhattan Fire Department responded just after 6 p.m. to a two-story single-family home with dense smoke showing from the second floor, which extended into the home’s attic space. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes and rescued a dog and cat from the home. According to the fire department’s daily response form, released Wednesday morning, the fire caused an estimated $90,000 in property and content loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The owner is listed as Georg Zsuzsics.

Pottawatomie County has given the go-ahead for a local construction company to pursue a Housing Investor Tax Credit from the State of Kansas. The funding would help offset construction and interest costs, giving developers a discount on tax liability and allowing them to achieve more attainable price points for buyers. Ross Vogel with Heartland Housing Partners spoke on behalf of JLC Construction, which is pursuing the tax credit on nine single family units and one duplex in the Whispering Meadows and Willow Glen additions. Commissioners were hesitant at first to sign the resolution, citing unfamiliarity with the tax credit program.…