TOPEKA, Kan. — A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges in the 2019 killing of a woman whose body was found in a natural gas-filled Topeka home. Jeremy Lardner pleaded guilty Wednesday to the murder charge, as well as aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the death of 36-year-old Brandi Prchal. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay says as part of a plea agreement, Lardner’s defense team agreed to a sentence of nearly 49 years on all the counts when Lardner is sentenced on Jan. 27. Lardner remains in custody on $1 million bond. On Nov. 1,…
Author: KMAN Staff
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 1700 block of Poyntz Ave. in Manhattan on January 5, 2022, around 7:37 a.m. Officers listed a 54-year-old female as the victim when…
On Thursday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with National Bio And Agro Defense Facility: NBAF Deputy Director Dr. Ken Burton, Communications Director Katie Pawlosky and ARS National Program Leader for Animal Health Dr. Roxann Motroni. We also spoke with Governor’s Military Council Executive Director Lt. Gen (Ret.) Perry Wiggins.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay plans to ask the Kansas Supreme Court to review a ruling that overturned the conviction of a former prison dentist. The Kansas Court of Appeals last month overturned the conviction of Tomas Co for having unlawful sexual relations with a female inmate at Topeka Correctional Facility. The court said Co’s touching of the inmate was inappropriate but did not meet the legal definition of being lewd, which was required for a conviction of the charge he faces. Kagay says if the Supreme Court does not overturn the lower court’s ruling, he…
MISSION, Kan. — Kansas schools are weighing whether to keep or reimpose mask mandates as the highly contagious omicron coronavirus variant sends case numbers soaring to record levels and strains hospitals. In suburban Kansas City, the board for the 27,000-student Shawnee Mission school district narrowly voted Monday night to allow a mask-optional policy to take effect for middle- and high-schoolers when classes resume Wednesday. The crowd interrupted so frequently that the board president twice shut the meeting down before removing the audience.
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas has suspended two fraternities for five years following an investigation that accused the clubs of fostering a culture of hazing. The Kansas City Star reports that the university on Tuesday informed Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Delta Theta in a letter that they will be removed from KU’s campus until the spring of 2027. The letter says investigations by national fraternity leadership and reviewed by a university panel found the fraternities engaged in a pattern of hazing, including action that hurt students. One instance attributed to Phi Gamma Delta says a pledge suffered…
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 theft in the 2400 block of Vaughn Dr. in Manhattan on January 4, 2022, around 6:53 a.m. Officers listed a 22-year-old male as the victim when it was reported…
On Wednesday’s edition of In Focus we spoke with USD 383 Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade. Manhattan Fire Department Assistant Chief of Risk Reduction Ryan Courtright also joined the program. In our final segment we spoke with Downtown Manhattan Inc. Executive Director Gina Snyder.
Following unanimous approval for a routine contract renewal Tuesday, re-elected and a newly elected former commissioner were sworn in to the Manhattan City Commission and one commissioner was selected for a second stint as the city’s mayor. Usha Reddi, Wynn Butler and John Matta took their oaths of office as administered by City Clerk Brenda Wolf Tuesday. Reddi earned the highest number of votes in the election, securing a four-year term and the mayorship in 2024. Butler earned the second highest number of votes, also earning four years on the board and mayorship in 2025. Matta came in at number…
The Riley County Health Department has adopted the new Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines for COVID quarantine and isolation. Last week, KDHE announced it would adopt the CDC’s new guidelines reducing the 10 period to only five days. That is now in effective in Riley County. Guidelines state those with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections, regardless of vaccination status should stay home for five days. Individuals with no symptoms or with symptoms resolving after five days who are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, can leave the house. Individuals are advised to continue to wear…