Author: Brandon Peoples

A Manhattan business is out more than $100,000 in merchandise after an apparent online scam. The Riley County Police Department said Wednesday that it filed a report for theft by deception and unlawful computer acts, listing Champion Teamwear as the victim. The store reportedly was scammed by unknown suspects claiming to be employees of New York Presbyterian Hospital, who ordered over $100,000 in merchandise that was shipped to them but never paid for. Police say anyone with information that can help solve this crime can contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers.

A new partnership was announced Tuesday between Kansas State University and NetWork Kansas to create a network of liaisons across the state, aimed at economic growth literally in all 105 Kansas counties. Vice President for Research Dr. David Rosowsky tells KMAN the effort will strengthen its broader Economic Prosperity Plan, launched in late 2021. “The K-State 105 component of the Economic Prosperity Plan, is our university’s commitment to creating conditions for economic growth and economic prosperity statewide,” he said. The partnership was announced at a news conference Tuesday at the Statehouse in Topeka, with K-State President Richard Linton, Regent Cheryl…

Update – 11 a.m. Wednesday A Tuesday house fire in south Manhattan is now being investigated as being intentionally set. The Manhattan Fire Department was called out to 807 Pottawatomie Avenue Tuesday afternoon, and contained the fire, located in a front room, within 10 minutes. The home had smoke throughout and a dog escaped the home safely after a back door was opened by firefighters. The Riley County Police Department filed an arson report, listing a 75-year-old woman as the victim when a 28-year-old woman reportedly started the fire. No arrests had been made as of Wednesday. The fire department…

As students return to classes this week at Kansas State University, the American Red Cross is hoping to fill some of its open slots for the Manhattan Blood Drive, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday. Local Red Cross spokesperson Kristi Ingalls says there is currently an urgent need for donations, as they’re lacking appointments for both days. As of Monday morning, Ingalls reported the Red Cross was 49 appointments short of its goal for Tuesday and 29 short of Wednesday’s goal. The blood drive runs from noon until 6 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Pottorf…

Tuesday marks the official launch of paid parking in the Aggieville Parking Garage. Manhattan city officials say payments can be made through the Park Mobile app, using a credit or debit card. Patrons can also register their license plate and pay for on-demand parking. The Park Mobile app is also used at K-State and Manhattan Regional Airport and is available for both iPhone and Android devices. Permits may also be purchased through a link on the City of Manhattan website, where additional parking information is available. Employees who work in Aggieville can obtain permits to park in the garage at…

The Riley County Law Board will hold its first meeting of the new year Tuesday. The meeting will include reorganization, which occurs every two years, as well as election of officers. Coming off the Law Board will be Manhattan City Commissioner and current Law Board Chair Linda Morse, as well as Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke, and citizen representatives Be Stoney and Robert Ward. Four new appointees will take their seats including City Commissioners Wynn Butler and John Matta and citizens Kaleb James and Betty Mattingly-Ebert. Riley County Commissioner John Ford, citizen Pat Hudgins and County Attorney Barry Wilkerson will…

Pottawatomie County authorities have arrested a Wamego man on a number of drug charges. According to Sheriff Shane Jager, deputies executed a narcotics search warrant Wednesday in the 3600 block of Apel Road, charging 47-year-old Michael Duane Johnson with cultivation of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a firearm, as well as possession of marijuana, stimulant and drug paraphernalia. The Sheriff’s Office says the warrant was executed as a result of an investigation into illegal drug activity and stolen property. Items seized included numerous marijuana plants, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as several items of stolen property. Johnson was…

Fort Riley officials have released their annual economic impact summary, which measures the installation’s estimated economic footprint on the Central Flint Hills region, including the Manhattan and Junction City area. Officials in a Thursday release said the financial impact for fiscal year 2022 rose to $1.88 billion, topping $1.8 billion for a second consecutive year. Fort Riley serves a population that includes more than 62,000 soldiers, family members, civilian employees, retirees and veterans, both on post and off, including Riley, Geary, Pottawatomie and surrounding counties. As the largest employer in the region, the total payroll for 2022 was over $1.2…

A number of parking changes have been occurring this month around Manhattan, with more changes to come, starting next week. Starting Tuesday in downtown Manhattan, patrons will be subject to two hour parking limits on the street. Gina Snyder, Executive Director of Downtown Manhattan Inc., says that means patrons will need to be mindful of their length of stay. “Gone is the chalk on a stick, and the ability to walk out there and rub that off your tire or just move two stalls down. You’ll need to move your vehicle entirely,” she said. This will be enforced through GPS…

A glitch in the FAA’s computer system led to grounded flights across the country Wednesday, including at the Manhattan Regional Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration suspended all flights after its Notice to Air Missions system, which sends hazard alerts to pilots, airports and airlines broke down Tuesday evening and sparked numerous delays and cancellations nationwide. Flights at Manhattan Regional Airport, which has five daily flights to both Chicago and Dallas weren’t affected Tuesday, but on Wednesday, the airport noted the grounding delayed its morning flight to Dallas and cancelled its Chicago flight. The FAA lifted the order to ground flights…