NBAF, the federal animal disease lab in Manhattan, is being exempted from the federal hiring freeze and is looking to fill 150 positions, officials said Wednesday. Alfonso Clavijo, director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, said lab, which is the only biosafety level-4 lab in the country that can house large livestock, told local leaders at the Regional Growth Summit on Friday he has received the green flag to begin hiring. “We have a unique opportunity at NBAF,” Clavijo said. “We are unique for the federal government and for USDA; we are being exempted from the hiring freeze, and…
Author: Paul Parker
One person was taken to the hospital Tuesday evening following a two-vehicle crash at a busy Manhattan intersection. Riley County Police say officers responded around 6:51 p.m. Jan. 20 to the intersection of Tuttle Creek Boulevard and Bluemont Avenue. A 2017 Kia Niro driven by 24-year-old Anthony Corral of Manhattan collided with a 2014 Buick Encore driven by 22-year-old Adam Hopper, also of Manhattan. Corral was transported to Via Christi for treatment of minor injuries.
Russell Spears, 44, of Wamego, was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated battery at approximately 11:17 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2025 in the 800 block of Colorado Street. This arrest stems from a report originally filed in March of 2025. Spears was issued a total bond of $6,000 and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report. Officers responded to a report of an injury accident at approximately 6:51 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the intersection Tuttle Creek Blvd. and Bluemont Ave. Upon arrival, officers found a 2017 Kia Niro driven…
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Officers executed a search warrant at approximately 9:36 p.m. on Jan. 15, 2026 in the 1600 block of Woodcrest Drive. The results of the search warrant led to the arrest of David Labombarbe, 39, and Bailey Crumpton, 27, both of Manhattan. Labombarbe was arrested for distribution or possession with intent to distribute heroin/fentanyl within 1000 feet of a school (3.5 grams but less than 100 grams), distribution of substance in 65-4105h (10 units but less than 100 units), possession of opiate/opium/narcotic or certain stimulant, possession of depressant, criminal use of weapons, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance…
By Lewis Marien Friday’s Victory with Honors ceremony at the 1st Infantry Division headquarters consisted of both goodbyes and hellos. Officials recognized Col. Travis Habhab for his 28-year career in the Army and serving as the division’s chief of staff, before welcoming Col. Gregory McLean as his successor. Maj. Gen. Monté Rone, the 1st Infantry Division commanding general, said in his remarks that the chief of staff’s role requires unmatched dedication to duty. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Fort Riley news.
City commissioners took their oaths of office Tuesday before unanimously approving Susan Adamchak as mayor. Commissioner and outgoing Mayor Karen McCulloh nominated Adamchak, and new commissioners Larry Fox, Jim Morrison and Andrew Von Lintel supported the decision. McCulloh was unanimously selected as mayor pro tem. “I look forward to working with the new commissioners as we try to achieve common goals for the betterment of Manhattan,” Adamchak said. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local Manhattan news.
By Toby Hammes Big 12 seasons aren’t won in January — but they can be lost there. Kansas State knows that as well as anyone. Last season, the Wildcats opened the New Year by dropping six straight Big 12 games, a January slide that left little margin for error before February even arrived. By the time the season stabilized, the damage was already done. That recent memory is why January matters so much for the Wildcats again this season. In a league as deep as the Big 12, early conference games don’t decide the standings, but they often decide whether…
TOPEKA — The number of abortions performed in Kansas during 2024 surpassed 19,000 for the second consecutive year in wake of judicial and political decisions in other states restricting access to the medical procedure. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported clinics and hospitals in Kansas conducted a record 19,811 abortions in 2024, up from 19,467 in 2023, 12,319 in 2022 and 7,849 in 2021. Of the 2024 total, 4,763 were provided to residents of Kansas. Demand for abortion among Kansans increased 9.3% from 4,356 in 2023 and was above the 3,844 reported in 2022 and 3,937 in 2021.…
The Riley County Police Department is investigating a vehicle theft reported Monday morning in Manhattan. Officers filed the report around 10:33 a.m. Dec. 29 in the 2600 block of Bellerive Drive. U-Haul was listed as the victim after a known suspect failed to return a 2025 Ford cargo van. The vehicle’s estimated value is $42,000. Click here for more local Manhattan news.