Two GOP lawmakers stopped by Manhattan’s Kansas Farm Bureau office Tuesday to discuss recent visits with Kansas agriculture businesses and leaders. 1st district Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) as well as ranking GOP agriculture committee member Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA) made the trip following a day of activity starting in Garden City on Monday, with the two visiting KFB and touring the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility in Manhattan on National Agriculture Day. “There’s nothing that makes me more happy than when I get to welcome people to our district and tell the story of our agriculture,” Mann says. “That’s…
Author: KMAN Staff
Tuesday’s edition of the In Focus Podcast featured Pottawatomie County Commissioner Dee McKee in the county government’s regular monthly conversation with KMAN. McKee discussed the ongoing Hwy 24 State construction project at Green Valley Road that’s been causing traffic back-ups in recent days. McKee also shared perspective on the possible formation of a consolidated extension district that would include Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, Riley, Geary and Marshall Counties if finalized. The final segment featured discussion on a petition seeking to expand the number of commissioners representing Pottawatomie County as well as redistricting at the State level. Tune in Wednesday, when we’ll talk…
The following summary of calls for service/reports filed by the Riley County Police Department is a portion of those received by police. Some names, addresses, and case details are withheld to follow local, state, and federal law as well as in an attempt to protect community members from being victimized further. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MANHATTAN, KAN. – Officers filed a report for criminal damage to property in the 1800 block of Anderson Ave. in Manhattan on March 21, 2022, around 9:18 a.m. Officers listed a 19-year-old female as the victim when…
WICHITA, Kan. — A 32-year-old Wichita woman will be sentenced May 9 after she pleaded guilty to running over a bicyclist with her car and shooting him. The Sedgwick County district attorney’s office said Charity Blackmon pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. Blackmon was originally charged with first-degree murder and her trial was scheduled to begin Monday. KSNW-TV reports 54-year-old Merrill Rabus was riding his bike in northeast Wichita in March 2021 when Blackmon hit him and then got out of her van and shot him. She left the scene…
WICHITA, Kan. — Kansas agriculture officials say more cases of avian influenza, more commonly called bird flu, have been found in the state. The Wichita Eagle reports that the Kansas Department of Agriculture has confirmed the disease in a backyard home-farm flock of birds in rural Sedgwick County and a similar backyard flock in rural Dickinson County. The cases were confirmed by the national Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Officials say the affected areas have been quarantined and the affected flocks will be culled to prevent the spread of the disease. Nearly 13 million chicken, turkeys and other birds…
Riley County Law Board members Monday reviewed a proposed new pay scale for Riley County Police Department employees, the adoption of which RCPD leaders say is imperative to department recruitment and retention. “Just within the next five years, we have the potential of losing 30 employees due to retirements alone,” says Human Resources Manager Christine Robinson. “Doesn’t mean everybody’s going, it’s just that that potential is there. “Adopting the salary survey is really going to be critical to not just filling our current vacancies, but it’s also going to be critical in relation to attracting good and quality employees to…
Riley County commissioners and the appraisal office honored the late Greg McHenry during Monday’s meeting. Commission Chair Greg McKinley presented appraisal office staff a plaque to honor McHenry. Appraisal Analyst Allen Todd then gave a few words in recognition of McHenry’s time in Riley County, including comments from several staff members. Todd says McHenry went to great lengths to explain to and educate the community about the appraisal process. McHenry developed a video titled “Who are Appraisers” on social media, which has been viewed and purchased by over 130 jurisdictions nationwide. Todd says McHenry’s towering presence was always inspiring…
WICHITA, Kan. — Police are investigating after a 14-year-old boy was killed in a shooting at a Wichita shopping mall that caused shoppers and employees to flee or hide. Police said the victim of Friday’s shooting was Trenjvious Hutton of Wichita. A 16-year-old male is under arrest on possible charges of second-degree murder. Police spokesman Chad Ditch says the victim was shot after a group of teenagers got into a fight and one pulled out a gun. He says it was not a random shooting. Towne East Square was closed Friday after the shooting but KWCH-TV reports it reopened on…
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A Kansas man who spent 23 years in prison for a double murder he didn’t commit is suing the county where he was convicted and a former police officer for $93 million. Lamonte McIntyre and his mother allege the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, is responsible for the actions of former detective Roger Golubski. They accuse Golubski of coercing McIntyre’s mom into sex and then framing her son for the double murder when she rejected later sexual advances. Golubski denies the allegations. A judge on Thursday set a Nov. 7 jury trial…
WICHITA, Kan. — Two Wichita men have been convicted of participating in a drug ring run by two inmates at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Federal prosecutors say 58-year-old Kevin Lewis, and 45-year-old Travis Vontress were the last of 23 defendants convicted for their roles in the drug operation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday the men were convicted by a federal jury. Prosecutors say 49-year-old Travis Knighten directed the drug operation from the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. He is serving a 90-year sentence for killing a prison guard in 1993. One other Oklahoma inmate was involved and all the other defendants…