Manhattan residents encouraged city commissioners to consider the best interest of area neighborhoods Tuesday night, as they discussed rezoning 9.96 acres of land east of K-State. Areas impacted would include Thurston, Morro, Laramie, and Vattier Streets along with Bluemont avenue. From neighborhoods being viewed only as “student rental” zones, to property upkeep – a variety of concerns had the public and some commissioners questioning the proposal. Increased traffic near the school led commissioner Linda Morse to vote against a first reading of the rezoning ordinance. Morse was joined by mayor pro temp Usha Reddi who argued that heavier traffic may…
Author: KMAN Staff
In this edition of In Focus, Cathy Dawes talks to Riley County Schools, Blue Valley/Randolph USD 384 Superintendent. Brady Burton; Riley County USD 378 Interim Superintendent. Nancy Meyer; and Director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development at Kansas State University, Dr. David Procter.
Petra D. Amaro (38) of Topeka, KS was arrested at the Riley County Police Department on March 22, 2016 at 5:36PM on two outstanding failure to appear warrants that had a total bond of $10,000. The failure to appear warrants were both issued by the Riley County District Court. The first warrant stems from a prior offense of violation of offender registration, while the second stems from prior offenses of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, interference with law enforcement, and driving while suspended. Wendy K. Montgomery (45) of Manhattan, KS was arrested for aggravated burglary at 510 Tuttle…
A Caterpillar Work Tools employee in Wamego has been arrested on a criminal threat charge. According to a news release from Wamego Police Chief Mike Baker Tuesday night police responded to Caterpillar on Balderson Boulevard last Thursday evening regarding possible threatening comments posted on a social media web page. Erik Billis was taken into custody last week 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 a shooting spree sounding fun to go on at a place where you hate eveneryone. Wamego Police and Pottawatomie county…
Fifteen acres of park land has been given to the City of Manhattan. Deputy City Manager, Jason Hilgers spoke to City Commissioners about the gift from Tim Schultz – of Schultz construction, during a Tuesday night meeting. Schultz expressed interest in building a north/south trail on the land and a potential transfer to the city, back in January. The commission unanimously approved the land transfer, authorizing City Administration to execute a Real Estate Transfer Agreement
TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has signed legislation allowing faith-based college groups to restrict membership to like-minded people, likely putting Kansas on a collision course with civil liberties groups. The conservative Republican signed the bill Tuesday. The new law will take effect in July. The Republican-dominated Legislature approved the bill this month, even though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that universities could require such groups to open their memberships to all. Supporters have said the bill was a victory for religious freedom. Opponents say it was a veiled attempt to legalize discrimination. Kansas already has a religious…
In this edition of In Focus, Cathy Dawes talks with Pottawatomie County Commission Chair Dee McKee and Health Director Leslie Campbell; along with Manhattan Mayor Karen McCulloh and City Manager Ron Fehr.
A 27-year-old Manhattan man has been sentenced to two life sentences for two rape counts, to be served concurrently. Greg E. Hoyt was sentenced in Riley County District Court Monday by Judge Meryl Wilson. Under Kansas law Hoyt will have to serve a minimum of 25 years before he is eligible for parole. Hoyt entered a no contest plea to the two rape counts last month. As previously announced by KMAN, the Riley County Police Department took the 27-year-old Hoyt into custody last August after receiving reports of inappropriate behavior between Hoyt and a child he knew. He was arrested…
Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education was into making decisions. At Monday’s meeting, Principal Tim Winter Introduced Sara Umscheid, a Junior wanting to graduate in December 2016. According to all her teachers, she will have the 24 credits needed to graduate by then. Approval was given by a vote of 5 to 0 (Board Member Amy Schwein came in later). In other business, the Board approved the Senior class trip on May 11th to Kansas City. Senior Class President Parker Waters appeared before the Board with the request and went over the itinerary. Sponsors are Lori Stratton and Mindy Thierolf.…
As KMAN previously reported, Wamego’s USD 320 Board of Education is in search of a new Superintendent. At Monday’s meeting, Kansas Association of School Boards Director of Leadership Services, Brian Jordan went over the search procedure with the resignation of Superintendent Denise O’Dea. The Board voted to use the services of the KASB, who is coordinating the search process and will be involved in walking the Board through the entire process of the search up to the negotiations. KASB is not involved in the negotiation process. According to Jordan, the opening was posted on March 11, and there are several applications…