This is a continuing series of related to local candidates ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. A former Manhattan mayor and city commissioner is hoping to win a seat on the Riley County Commission. Republican John Matta is challenging incumbent Republican Ron Wells in the primary for District 3. Matta previously served on the Manhattan City Commission from 2011 to 2015 and says he felt the desire once again to get into public service. “I did enjoy the public service and even back then I kind of thought, having been on the city commission, trying for the county commission, and…
Author: KMAN Staff
K-State President Richard Myers joined us for the first two segments regarding the university’s planned reopening and return to in-person classes for the fall. USD 378 Riley County Superintendent Cliff Williams joined us for an update on enrollment, reopening and the bond construction.
The Riley County Police Department took the top prize in the 17th annual Battle of the Badges blood drive. The American Red Cross blood drive, which took place at St. Thomas More Catholic Church this year, gives people the opportunity to donate blood while also voting for a local emergency-services department. With 97 votes, RCPD beat out the Manhattan Fire Department, which came in second place with 67 votes, and Riley County Emergency Medical Services, which came in a close third place with 64 votes. The friendly competition was originally created to bring in donations during a time of year…
A convicted sex offender and former U.S. Marine from Manhattan was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in federal prison for possessing child pornography. According to a release from U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister, 35-year-old Bryan S. Duncan pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. In his plea, he admitted that undercover investigators downloaded child pornography from his account through a peer-to-peer file-sharing program. In a search of his Manhattan home, investigators uncovered electronic devices containing 450 video files. A sentencing memo states Duncan’s underlying offense was not isolated or impulsive. In 2005, he was convicted of possession and…
An accidental cooking fire that occurred at a 2-story apartment building in the Brookfield Residences in Manhattan Tuesday resulted about $3,000 in estimated losses. The Manhattan Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at 415 Walters Dr., apartment number 408, where they found light smoke coming from a fire that had already been mostly put out by a Riley County Police officer using a fire extinguisher. Fire crews would go on to ventilate the building and finish putting the fire out. The extent of kitchen damage caused the residents to be displaced. The fire resulted in an estimated…
The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office is investigating multiple burglaries that took place between July 17 and July 21 in the Green Valley area of rural Manhattan at new-home construction sites. Three burglaries involving the theft of several DeWalt cordless handheld tools have resulted in an estimated loss of over $4,000. Those with information related to these incidents are encouraged to call the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office at 785-457-3353 or leave a Crime Stoppers tip at ptsheriff.com.
Information from K-State Today Kansas State University will offer an online bachelor’s degree in mass communications this fall. The A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications said in a release Tuesday its launching the 120 credit degree program Aug. 17 with new classes starting every eight weeks. It includes specific coursework in journalism or strategic communications. The journalism sequence prepares students for work in broadcast, news reporting and media design. Strategic communications focuses on advertising and public relations with an emphasis on social media. The school says the program is ideal for students who started courses on any campus…
A member of the Riley City Council is running for the District 2 seat of the Riley County commission. Council Member Greg McKinley is taking on incumbent commissioner Marvin Rodriguez and Candidate Phil Mattox in the upcoming primary. Candidate Fanny Fang is running unopposed in the democratic primary. McKinley has been serving on the Riley City Council for 10 years and decided to run for the commission last year. When asked about what makes him different from the other candidates, he says he is a resident of north county. “I’ve planned for a long time to do this because I…
Potential delay of jury trials The Pottawatomie County Attorney’s Office currently has three jury trials scheduled to begin in August, but those may be delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. “Right now, our Supreme Court does not want us to hold any jury trials unless it is a constitutional violation of speedy trial, which we are not (in violation) on any of our current cases,” Sherri Schuck, Pottawatomie County attorney, said. The right to a “speedy trial” is laid out in the sixth amendment of the U.S. Constitution and ensures that a defendant will be granted a trial within a…