Riley County commissioners chose a replacement for the vacant seat on their Indigent Defense Panel. The panel is comprised of six attorneys who act as independent contractors on behalf of the county. One of the members will resign later this month, leaving a vacant seat. Two candidates came before the commission to apply for the position; Michael Hinkin and Chris Biggs. The panel usually suggests one candidate to the commission, but could not decide between the two. Hinkin has a background in criminal defense work working for Clark and Platt Law Firm here in Manhattan. He currently runs his own…
Author: KMAN Staff
It was just earlier this year that Tuttle Creek State Park was closed to the public because of concerns about rising water levels in Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Since then, the park has come a long way towards recovering and several features, such as trails and a boat ramp in the Cedar Ridge area, 12 utility-electric sites in the Fancy Creek area and several cabins, have returned to being accessible to the public. Todd Lovin, the park manager of Tuttle Creek State Park, says there is still work to do, such as clearing debris left behind by flooding. According to Lovin,…
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man who served as lookout while another man hog-tied a Sprint store clerk and stole more than 75 cell phones has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison. Xavier Lopez, 26, was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty in September to robbery. He admitted that he was lookout while 26-year-old Camarin McPherson, of Wichita, robbed the Sprint store on April 25. McPherson tied up the clerk and brandished a handgun before taking 78 phones. The two men were arrested after their vehicle crashed during a police chase. McPherson was sentenced in November to…
The Flint Hills Breadbasket just wrapped up distributing about 180 Christmas baskets to local families earlier this week. The Christmas baskets helped provide food items needed for a Christmas meal to area families. Director Maribeth Kieffer says the weather made work a little difficult, but overall the event was a success. Those interested in receiving a basket next year just need to go to the Flint Hills Bread Basket, pre-qualify and sign-up. Despite likely being done with donation events for the next couple months, the Flint Hills Breadbasket is in need of donations throughout the year. There is a particular…
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man has been charged with killing a woman on a scooter while driving drunk. The Lawrence Journal-World reports that 43-year-old Eric Spaeth is free on $75,000 bond. He was charged this week with second-degree murder or, in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, in the death of 24-year-old Elizabeth Allen. He also is charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, his second offense, and driving while suspended. The crash report said Allen and her scooter were dragged under Spaeth’s truck in August. Police said Spaeth’s blood alcohol content was more than 2 1/2…
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 and giving a worthless check in the 1000 block of Westloop Pl. in Manhattan on December 18, 2019, at approximately 10:50 AM. Officers listed Kansas State Bank as…
Thursday’s guest was Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jason Smith.
The Manhattan Area Technical College Adult Learning Center brings several professional and educational certification opportunities to the Manhattan area. People using this facility have access to General Educational Development (GED) testing, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) testing, Educational Testing Service (EST) certifications, College Level Examination Program (CLEP) certifications and many more technical and educational certifications and tests. Chris Boxberger, the Adult Learning Center Director, says the facility allows Manhattan-area residents to take many of the tests locally as opposed to having to leave town. Boxberger also says the testing center has been a great resource for businesses and organizations. For a…
The Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday committed to some big dollar improvements on both the north and south sides of the city. First, in a 4 to 1 vote, the commission approved a $4.3 million construction contract for a new Douglass Recreation Center. It includes a $400,000 contingency, which came in under expectations. The center will be another piece in a complex of recreation buildings, featuring a 3-lane elevated track and programmable to accommodate an 84-foot basketball court, two NCAA volleyball courts and two pickleball courts alongside community and fitness rooms. Mayor Mike Dodson says the walking and biking activity…
LAWRENCE, Kan. — A Douglas County judge is being asked to consider whether a woman convicted of killing a Lawrence man should receive a reduced sentence. An attorney for 25-year-old Sarah Gonzales-McLinn, of Topeka, is arguing that she was not properly advised of a plea deal that could have reduced her sentenced by half. Gonzales-McLinn is serving a “Hard 50” sentence for killing 52-year-old Harold Sasko in January 2014. Prosecutors say Gonzales-McLinn drugged and nearly beheaded Sasko, who was her supervisor at a pizza parlor. Two days of hearings on the motion began Monday in Douglas County Court.