“That’s how important it is, that’s how important this issue is.” Mayor Pro Tem, Usha Reddi spoke following an out pour of support from the community during a Tuesday night City Commission meeting that focused on anti-discrimination protections for LGBT residents, living in Manhattan. The topic reached the city commission chambers after months of request from members of the LGBT community, along with their allies. City commissioners engaged in talks of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to a list of protected classes, resulting in nearly four hours worth of public comment – mostly in the form of personal stories…
Author: KMAN Staff
Riley County officials report that the wildfires burning in the county have been contained. Fire crews are beginning to return to their stations. Officials estimate 400-500 acres burned Tuesday afternoon and into the evening. Approximately 100-150 residents were evacuated from a mobile home park near Marlatt and U.S. 24. A shelter has been opened in Cico Park in Manhattan. Geary County officials report numerous fires, including at least one in the area of the 8100 block of south K-57 Highway. Eight homes in that area were evacuated. Voluntary evacuations were reported underway in Alma in Wabaunsee County. A wildfire was…
A Caterpillar Work Tools employee in Wamego who was arrested on a criminal threat charge in March will have a preliminary hearing on April 18 at 3:30 p.m. Erik Billis was taken into custody after making a threat against co-workers on social media. Reports indicate Billis made a threatening post on Facebook, saying he had officially snapped and mentioned going on a shooting spree at his place work. Pottawtomie County Attorney Sherri Schuck told KMAN his bond was modified over the state’s objections to $20,000 during a status hearing Tuesday afternoon. It was previously set at $25,000. If Billis is…
TOPEKA — A Topeka racetrack owner doubts his property will survive if the property tax bill remains high, saying that the facility faces “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in repairs. Owner Chris Payne declined an interview with The Topeka Capital-Journal, but instead relayed information through his attorney, Wes Carrillo. He says Heartland Park Topeka has deteriorated quickly in the last few years and now has cracked tracks, broken water pipes, perforated roofs and piles of garbage. Payne estimates that Heartland Park would need to net a profit of $27,000 monthly, or $324,000 yearly. He says that with an annual tax bill of…
In this edition of In Focus, Cathy Dawes catches up with Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr and Mayor Karen McCulloh.
TOPEKA — Authorities in Shawnee County, Kansas, are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in Lake Shawnee. Sheriff Herman Jones says someone in a sailboat spotted the body Monday afternoon about 25 yards from a yacht dock and summoned authorities. A wildlife park department worker put a boat in the water and retrieved the body. The man’s identity was not immediately released.
POTOSI, Mo. — Authorities in eastern Missouri are searching for a former football player for Washburn and the University of Kansas. The Missouri State Highway Patrol posted a missing person’s report that said 24-year-old Brandon Kyle Bourbon has been missing since Saturday. Washington County Sheriff’s Capt. Zach Jacobsen said Tuesday that Bourbon’s family last saw him Saturday evening in the Potosi area, where his family lives. He says Bourbon’s car, a silver minivan, is also missing, and that Bourbon’s phone is off. Bourbon played football for Kansas until 2014, and transferred to Washburn for the 2015 season. Jacobsen says since leaving…
Dr. Jill Biden, wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Second Lady of the United States, is in Fort Riley Tuesday and will be available to media Wednesday, according to a press release from post. As a part of the Month of the Military Child and as part of her Joining Forces initiative, Biden, a lifelong educator and military mom, will participate in several events in support of military children’s education. Biden is visiting Fort Riley to meet with active duty service members, military spouses and military-connected students and their teachers. During the visit, Biden will highlight the educational partnership between…
MANHATTAN, KAN. – On April 4, 2016 at approximately 5:30 PM officers with the Riley County Police Department responded to the intersection of Marlatt Ave. and Seth Child Road in Manhattan for a report of an injury vehicle collision. Police found that prior to their arrival a 2008 Toyota Prius driven by Brian Coles, 56, of Manhattan traveling west through the intersection with Seth Child Road collided with a 2003 Chevy 2-door vehicle driven by Shane Rengstorf, 25, of Riley, Kansas. This collision caused both drivers as well as a 14-year-old passenger in the Toyota Prius to be transported to…
K-State’s Executive Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, Arthur DeGroat has issued comment following the death of a veteran student. As previously reported by KMAN, Jacob Horton was found dead in a parking lot on the university’s main campus Saturday, after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound. DeGroat issued the following statement to KMAN: “This is a most tragic event for our K-State family–especially our student-veteran community. Jake, like all veterans on our campus are very special people who have voluntarily served their country during war and chose Kansas State University to further their education and begin new lives. Too many of…