A Topeka man was sentenced Monday to 20 years for supplying crack cocaine to a drug trafficking operation in Junction City and Manhattan, Kan., U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. Johnny Lee Ivory, III, 29, Topeka, Kan., was convicted after a jury trial in June on one count of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm following a felony conviction. During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that in late 2012 and early 2013 agents of Kansas Bureau of Investigation and detectives from the…
Author: KMAN Staff
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office has posted a reward for a stolen New Holland skid steer that has been missing since the Sept. 15 The skid steer — a 2007 New Holland L190 that is yellow with black trim — was reported stolen from the area of Wilson Creek Road and Bigelow Road. It is missing the front door and rear radiator cover and was last seen Sept. 1. The skid steer is valued at approximately $15,000. A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for this theft. Any information regarding…
A growing trend of gun thefts have the Riley County Police Department concerned. RCPD Capt. Josh Kyle told Riley County commissioners Monday morning that a recent string of vehicle thefts have found guns left inside are being targeted. “We’re seeing a persistent crime trend and it’s bothersome,” Kyle said. “And that is the issue of guns in cars. “We are seeing more and more guns being taken from vehicles. It’s a pattern that we’ve seen for the last eight to nine months, and it does not appear to be reducing or abating in anyway.” Commissioner Robert Boyd asked Kyle what…
HAYS, Kan. (AP) A legal fight is brewing over the $20.6 million estate of a western Kansas man whose will was changed shortly before his January 2013 death. At issue is a letter typed on 98-year-old Earl O. Field’s stationary that said he had decided to strip the Fort Hays State University Foundation as the primary beneficiary and instead give the largest portion of his estate to his part-time bookkeeper and caretaker. It described her as “like my daughter.” The Hutchinson News reports that the foundation considers it fake. Field owned farmland and mineral rights, as well as a business.…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) The University of Kansas won’t give out employee raises while there’s still a chance for last-minute state budget cuts. Provost Jeff Vitter says the university budgeted midyear, merit-based salary increases for select employees that would comprise about 1 percent of the university’s salary budget. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that Vitter wrote in a recent memo to university faculty and staff that extending the raises will depend on a few things, including avoiding any possible state budget cuts. He says the decision will be made later this semester. Vitter says many employees had asked about the raises. There’s…
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Lobbyists have spent more than $500,000 entertaining Kansas lawmakers so far this year. Kansas law prohibits lobbyists from making campaign donations during the session and limits their spending to $100 on lawmaker gifts. But Kansas doesn’t limit the amount of food and drink a lobbyist can buy lawmakers. The Wichita Eagle reports lobbyists have spent more than $500,000 since January treating Kansas lawmakers to dinner, drinks and other entertainment. The Kansas Bankers Association spent the most on food and entertainment for lawmakers, at $26,135. The Kansas Chamber of Commerce was second with $20,139. Advocates for transparency say…
Guests on Monday’s In Focus were: Kansas Farm Bureau Board of Directors member Glenn Brunkow of Pottawatomie County Kerry Wefald, Agriculture Marketing Director with Kansas Department of Agriculture located in Manhattan
It was a somber autumn morning at the Riley County Courthouse as a Rossville man was sentenced to jail time after striking and killing a Manhattan bicyclist. On the evening of June 26, 2014, 32-year-old Derik Kesler was driving southbound on K-177 when he struck 49-year-old Mark Jilka from behind. Jilka, an avid bicyclist, was wearing reflective gear while riding on the shoulder of the highway. Reports say Kessler immediately called 911, but Jilka was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Kesler’s witness statement, he was using the GPS service on his phone at the time and did not see…
A Belvue man who requested a jury trial had a change of heart Monday morning. Christopher Arand, who is accused of murdering his uncle, Larry Arand, last November, entered a plea to premeditated first degree murder. The Pottawatomie County District Court also dismissed a cruelty to animals charge. Sentencing is set for Nov. 19 at 9 a.m. and he remains confined in jail. 70-year-old Larry Arand was found in his Belvue Home last November. An affidavit released at the time indicated Arand hit his uncle in the back of the head several times with brass knuckles before suffocating him with a…
K-State sophomore cornerback Cre Moore was arrested at 3:26 A.M. Sunday morning by Riley County police on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of a depressant. Police responded to a single vehicle collision at Poyntz and Evergreen Ave. in Manhattan at 2:55 A.M. Moore’s 2014 Ford F150 had hit a light pole and a privately owned stone stairwell. The front driver’s side sustained major damage, including the front driver’s side wheel becoming detached. Moore didn’t have any injuries. He was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol after an investigation into the accident. During the…