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 aggravated assault in 2000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. in Manhattan on May 20, 2021, at approximately 9:29 p.m. Officers listed a 36-year-old male as the victim when it…
Author: KMAN Staff
Riley County Health Department held a mass vaccination clinic for those aged 12-17 at Pottorf Hall on Thursday. The vaccination event encouraged those in that age group to get vaccinated with free goodies available at their carnival. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says it’s important to get as many vaccinated as possible, as demand for the vaccine among older residents has declined. The event was set up to not only be safe, but fun. “Getting more of our 12 and up population vaccinated is important to increase vaccination rates, but also to protect them against COVID,” says Gibbs. “With all…
More than 180 businesses and organizations in the state have sent a letter to Governor Laura Kelly asking she opt the state out of the extra federal unemployment benefits program. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce signed on to the letter, and President Jason Smith said on KMAN’s In Focus Thursday that the Little Apple isn’t isolated from the labor shortages that have developed in retail, food service and hospitality as demand begins to pick up. Smith noted there were exceptional traffic numbers last weekend for hospitality-related businesses, putting a pinch on them to provide quality service while short on staff.…
A Manhattan man accused of multiple felony sexual crimes against a 15-year old girl appears to be headed to an October trial. District Court Judge Grant Bannister ruled this morning (THU) that statements made by Alan Ingwersen before his arrest will be admissible when the case goes in front of a jury starting October 4th. Ingwersen’s statements came during an voluntary interview at the Riley County Jail with a detective who was looking into the accusations. The 67-year old has been charged with three rape counts, six of aggravated criminal sodomy and four of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
TOPEKA, Kan. — A Kansas House member who was arrested after videos began circulating online of him arguing with teenage students and pushing one of them while he was working as a substitute teacher has entered a not guilty plea to three counts of misdemeanor battery. Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel on Wednesday also was given three weeks to undergo a mental health evaluation. The next hearing was set for July 12. The charges against Samsel arose from a student reporting an April 28 incident involving Samsel in what videos showed to be a noisy classroom in his hometown of…
WICHITA, Kan. — Police in suburban Wichita say another mountain lion sighting has been captured on a doorbell camera, and Kansas wildlife officials suspect it’s the same big cat caught on camera last week sauntering through a Wichita alley. Police say the most recent video was captured just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, showing the puma padding along a sidewalk in front of a house in Andover. That’s about 12 miles away from the site in Wichita’s Riverside neighborhood where a doorbell camera showed a cougar trotting through an alley around 4 a.m. May 10. Kansas Department of Wildlife Research Biologist…
WICHITA, Kan. — A Wichita tax preparer has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding the Internal Revenue Service out of more than $100,000. Sonia Hernandez-Smith, also known as Sonia Raquel Vazquez, was sentenced Tuesday. She had pleaded guilty to one count, after originally being charged with 20 counts. Hernandez-Smith admitted she knowingly prepared income tax returns that falsely claimed tax credits for children her that her clients should not have received. The federal public defender had sought probation for Hernandez-Smith, saying a prison sentence was harsher punishment than necessary for the crime.
The Manhattan-Ogden school board has approved a partnership with Manhattan Area Technical College and area businesses to explore the possibility of creating a college and career academy. Superintendent Marvin Wade says the goal is to help students become informed consumers and use real world applications. “We want to continue the discussions and that’s going to include and what are the programs of study what are the areas that are out there that we can expand. Right now we’re limited in space and what we’re able to do so we need to look at space, we need to look at the…
Manhattan Christian College is closing in on the purchase of the Anderson Village property adjacent to it, with plans to turn the upper level apartments into housing for male students by the 2022-23 school year. President Kevin Ingram on KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday said buying the mixed-use property would allow the college to replace the current men’s dormitory Johnson Hall. Ingram made clear that the move to use the upper floor of the building as housing for MCC, however, won’t take place for the upcoming school year. MCC sold Anderson Village to a private developer in 1985. Ingram said that…
Manhattan-Ogden board members responded to comments received about their recent approval of culturally responsive teaching and learning training. The approval was given last month, but a recent email chain from the Riley County Republicans urged members of the public to voice their opinion and concerns. The email claimed that the school district “votes to teach students how to be racist.” The board received emails regarding the subject leading up to the meeting, as well as public comment during the meeting. Only nine people spoke, but well over 60 people were in attendance in support of those speaking. Board President Jurdene…