Thursday’s guests included 1st Infantry Division Brig. Gen. Thomas O’Connor. O’Connor just returned from Poland where he served as the commander of the 1st infantry Division Forward supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve. Additionally, we spoke with members of Fort Riley Forward Assessment Sustainment Teams that recently returned to post after deploying in support of civilian COVID-19 response. We were joined last by Konza United Way CEO Tara Claussen, who discussed the organization’s recent Allocations Day, their upcoming charitable campaign and how COVID-19 is impacting it all.
Author: KMAN Staff
Traffic shut down on Scenic Drive yesterday due to a two-vehicle injury collision in the late morning hours. The accident occurred just before noon in the 1000 block of Scenic Drive, near Britt’s Farms, closing the road from K18 to Anderson Avenue for multiple hours. Officials say a parked 2012 Isuzu work truck entered the roadway, which resulted in the truck being hit by a 2014 Chevrolet Impala. Two people were in each vehicle, and the collision resulted in at least one Impala passenger being trapped in the car. Injuries were serious enough to prompt response from Life Star helicopter…
Update 6/12/20: The search for an alligator found in Wildcat Creek that was stolen from a Manhattan pet store continues. It’s been two days since the female alligator was first seen in the creek. The two gators were reported stolen from Manhattan pet store Reptile World this past weekend. It’s unclear how or when the animal made it into the creek and the whereabouts of the male alligator is uncertain at this time. Reptile World’s owners acquired the alligators as rescues from private residences in Kansas City and Manhattan. The animals are illegal to own in the city without a…
Riley County Police are asking for the public’s help in a rape investigation. A woman reported she was raped in NorthEast Manhattan early Saturday morning. The suspect is desribed as a 5 foot 10 to 6 foot tall white man with an average build and very short light brown hair. He was last seen running Southbound on 6th Street near the area of Kearney around 2 a.m. Police believe he drove or was driven by someone else over the bridge leading to Pillsbury Drive/Highway 177 later in the morning. Police are asking anyone who may know the suspect or with…
Manhattan could see big program cuts in 2021 depending on the extent of COVID-19’s economic impact. The city is facing a possible $2.7 million general fund gap in the next fiscal year. City Commissioners Tuesday discussed a mix of cuts, fund transfers and fee increases to help fill the hole, but remained opposed to increasing the mill levy. “I think a lot of people have been impacted,” says Mayor Usha Reddi. “A lot of them can’t handle another increase in property taxes, especially if it’s for businesses.” At the low end, administrative officials are planning for a 5 percent or…
A third person has died from coronavirus-related complications, according to a Wednesday Riley County Health Department release. Officials report the 61-year-old man died this morning after suffering COVID-19 related complications. He was on a ventilator since last week. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “This disease is still a serious threat and we all need to continue working together to slow the spread.” No further details will be provided, according to RCHD. No additional positive cases have been reported since Tuesday. Riley County’s three COVID-19 related deaths have all…
A Junction City police officer discovered a missing 15-year-old girl from El Salvador while conducting a traffic stop Tuesday. Officer Nick Blake was meeting with the occupants of a 2019 Nissan rental vehicle on westbound I-70 when it was discovered that one of the passengers had been reported as missing by a relative in Maryland just a few days earlier. The driver of the vehicle, 37-year-old Fulgencio Castillo-Guardado of Wilmington, California, was arrested for Interference with Parental Custody, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer and speeding. Castillo-Guardado is being held at the Geary County Detention Center without bond pending first…
LEAVENWORTH — A former Leavenworth police officer who fatally shot a man in a vehicle in 2017 cannot claim legal immunity, a ruling that leaves it jurors to decide whether his actions were justified as self defense. Leavenworth County Judge Michael Gibbens found that the force used by Matthew Harrington was not statutorily justified as self defense, clearing the way for the involuntary manslaughter case to proceed. Harrington was indicted in August 2018 for the death of Antonio Garcia Jr., who was shot multiple times while sitting the in the driver’s seat of an SUV. Harrington was fired for violating…
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas will offer voluntary buyout packages to some faculty members as it grapples with financial losses from the coronavirus pandemic. The Lawrence Journal World reports the university faces a budget shortfall of at least $120 million in the fiscal year that begins July 1 due to virus-related shutdowns. Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer said in a Monday message to faculty and staff members that employees must be age 62 or older and meet other requirements to be eligible for the buyout. The university says between 500 and 600 faculty and staff are likely eligible for the program.
Officers filed a report for forgery in Manhattan on June 9, 2020, at approximately 8:50 PM. Officers listed a 62-year-old female, Diamond Real Estate Management, and Community First Bank as the victim when it was reported an unknown suspect cashed forged checks. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $4,632.81. Anyone with information can contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.