The 97th Military Police Battalion cased its colors during a ceremony at King Field House Tuesday, ending nearly 21 years of continuous service at Fort Riley and marking another transition in the Army’s modernization efforts. “This battalion has been there at the most critical points in our nation’s story,” said Col. Lillian Woodington, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade. “From Europe in 1945 to Gitmo in 2024, the Guardians have always answered the call with professionalism and grit.” “Guardian soldiers and leaders helped shape who I am,” Lt. Col. Tommy E. Sieker said of his time as the battalion…
Author: KMAN Staff
By Nathan Gaddie The Manhattan Public Library made history this week by debuting the first-ever lactation pod installed in a Kansas public library. Mayor Susan Adamchak said it’s great that Manhattan offers this kind of health service. “One of the participants in the ceremony yesterday said that she believed that this was the first to be located in a public library in Kansas,” she said. “So I think that was terrific.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Stacy Kohlmeier, a longtime Manhattan resident and recently retired business leader from Florence Corporation, has officially filed for election to the Kansas House of Representatives, District 67 as a Republican. “After more than 40 years in business, I’m excited about the opportunity to step into public service and give back in a new way,” Kohlmeier said. “This community has given so much to me and my family, and I’m ready to put my experience to work for the people, families and businesses who call this area home.” Kohlmeier moved to Manhattan in 1984 to begin her career with Kansas Power…
City commissioners on Tuesday will discuss and provide direction on how to proceed with private workforce housing grant requests. The workforce housing sales tax (WHST) policy manual resolution allows the city commission to provide funding at its discretion for private workforce housing projects. Per the policy, the city accepts formal applications for private housing projects in April and October. The policy limits the amount that can be awarded per project. WHST cannot exceed 10% of the total project cost; no project can request more than $250,000 in WHST funds; and there is a cap of $25,000 per unit. However, the…
A Manhattan man was injured Thursday afternoon in an e-scooter crash, according to the Riley County Police Department. Officers responded at approximately 3:16 p.m. May 7 to the area of Westwood Road and Walnut Drive for a reported injury accident. Upon arrival, officers found that an e-scooter had crashed and the rider, identified as Jeffery Tinnean, 61, of Manhattan, had fallen off and suffered a head injury. Tinnean was transported to Via Christi Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
A Manhattan man was arrested Thursday afternoon on multiple warrants and additional charges stemming from an alleged altercation with law enforcement, according to the Riley County Police Department. Derek Edward Blea, 33, of Manhattan, was first arrested at approximately 3:23 p.m. May 7 in the 900 block of Colorado Street on a Riley County District Court warrant for failure to appear and a Manhattan Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear. The warrants stem from original charges that include three counts of violating the Kansas Offender Registration Act and driving while suspended or revoked. Officers also filed a report at…
Francis Jerimyh Jackson, 36, of Denver (Colo.), was arrested at approximately 11 p.m. on May 7, 2026 in the 1000 block of S. Seth Child Road on a Riley County District Court warrant for failure to appear. This arrest stems from an original charge of aggravated assault. Jackson was issued a total bond of $10,000 and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report. Derek Edward Blea, 33, of Manhattan, was arrested at approximately 3:23 p.m. on May 7 in the 900 block of Colorado Street on a Riley County District Court warrant for failure…
By Bryan Richardson A resolution to move Riley County’s human resources division led to county clerk Rich Vargo expressing frustration Thursday about the process related to establishing a county administrator. The Riley County Commission approved a resolution that temporarily moves the human resources division under the counselor’s department until the county administrator position is established. The human resources division had been under the county clerk’s office in what agenda documents described as an unofficial capacity since Dec. 30, 2004. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
District 67 Rep. Angel Roeser, R-Manhattan, announced Tuesday that she will not run again after her current term in the Kansas Legislature. “Serving my community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Roeser said. “I am deeply grateful to the constituents of District 67, community leaders, volunteers, friends, and family members who placed their trust in me and supported our work throughout my time in office.” During her term, Roeser expressed a focus on issues impacting Kansas families, local businesses and economic development. This includes passing pharmacy benefit manager reform, putting property back on local tax rolls,…
By Beth Day WAMEGO — A raucous crowd of around 150 people gathered Wednesday to get answers from officials looking to build a data center in Pottawatomie County. Ryan Sanders and Charles Kontz, principals of Beltline Energy, spoke at a meeting at Iron Clad in Wamego. Beltline is based in Atlanta. The meeting originally had been set as a private event in Manhattan, but the invitation was widely shared on social media, so it became a public event and moved to Wamego. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.