Author: KMAN Staff

A 23 year old Manhattan man faces charges in connection with three recent robberies in Manhattan. Mark Wyche was taken into custody after a search warrant was served, with evidence linking him to the robberies of Dara’s Fast Lane at 5321 Tuttle Creek Boulevard, Kanas State Bank on Poyntz and Community First Bank on Tuttle Creek Boulevard. Wyche was taken into custody at about 7:00 a.m. at his residence at 417 N. 4th St. He was later indicted by the United States government for the three robberies, and is being held on no bond at the Shawnee county correctional facility.…

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After was has been a nearly decade long process, the Hilton Garden Inn opened its doors to the public on Wednesday. “It’s a very, very exciting day,” Lyle Butler, President of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, said. “I’ve been here for almost 12 years and this has been in the planning for almost 10 years so it’s great to see it come together.” Butler was one of hundreds of people who were on hand for Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony. The new facility, located at 410 S. 3rd St.,  houses 135 rooms, including suites. The hotel also offers over 15,000 square feet of meeting space, a swimming pool,…

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A meeting held at the Bluemont Dining Room at the K-State Student Union might have some less than perfect results. The meeting’s purpose was an update on the Flint Hills ATA program and transit, but Mayor Jim Sherow says that one protocol wasn’t followed, with a possible violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act. Mayor Sherow and Commissioner Loren Pepperd were among those in attendance. County Attorney Barry Wilkerson would not comment on the issue. Sherow’s complete statement made at the Manhattan City Commission meeting Tuesday night follows: November 29, 2011 On noon Thursday, November 17th, I held a meeting…

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KMAN news has confirmed a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the Kansas State Bank robbery nearly two weeks ago. FBI spokeswoman Bridget Patton announced that to KMAN Wednesday afternoon. Patton emphasized no federal charges have been filed yet, but a suspect was taken into custody as a joint effort of the FBI, Riley County Police, and Pottawatomie County sheriff’s department. Patton declined to identify a location of where the suspect was apprehended. It’s not known if the suspect is connected to any of the other armed robberies in Manhattan the past month–as Patton could only comment…

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A Salina man waived preliminary hearing Wednesday in Pottawatomie County District Court on charges which include attempted second degree homicide. Robert Smith was arrested following a three county chase in early October involving a semi Smith was driving. Arraignment has been set for December 22nd. In addition to the attempted homicide charge, Smith faces charges of possession of methamphetamine, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery, and other assault, fleeing and eluding, and criminal damage charges. The chase began near Topeka, but ended up in Pottawatomie county, with officers from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, Wabaunsee County sheriff’s…

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FORT RILEY, Kan. – A Fort Riley Soldier has died due to injuries sustained from a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Murray, 38, of Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., was on dismounted patrol in Helmand Province when he encountered an improvised explosive device. Murray was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Murray joined the Army in September 1991 as an armored crew member. He came to Fort Riley in February 2011. This was his first deployment. His awards include…

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The driver arrested Tuesday following a police chase that spanned two counties is apparently the same individual involved in a fatal accident in Lawrence five years ago, that involved the Cat Tracker vehicle. Brent Simonsson, 46, now faces charges of fleeing and eluding, DUI, reckless driving and driving with a suspended driver’s license in the latest case, which Clay County officials indicate involved speeds of up to 88 miles per hour. According to KMAN’s records, Simonsson was 41 at the time of the Cat Tracker accident in Lawrence. He was listed as the driver in the case, which led to…

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The downtown area on Poyntz was a major topic of discussion at last night’s Manhattan City Commission work session. Many improvements to the roads were shown to Commissioners, and one question raised was how to pay for said improvements, which include new curbs, planters, crosswalks, and other items. Proposed was a split which would devote two-thirds of the cost to the City, and one third to the area businesses. However, nothing is yet set in stone, and the matter will be discussed further at a later date. Another road project in the works is some changes to Bluemont Avenue…

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“A necessary and responsible step” is one way being used to describe American Airlines and American Eagle’s filing for reorganization under chapter 11. Of course American Eagle has a presence at the Manhattan Regional airport, and Director Peter Van Kuren tells KMAN he received official word of the action Tuesday morning from the vice president for corporate services of the airline. Van Kuren adds the email indicated what we’ve been hearing all morning in the national news, and he wasn’t surprised by the news. He says this is something that’s been coming for a long time. He indicates it will…

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