By Rose Gruenbacher The jury in the trial of former Manhattan chiropractor Clark Petersen was not excused Friday morning, despite having reached a verdict in the case the night before. They had the additional task of ruling whether or not a judge could have the possibility of inflicting a more severe punishment than usual. After about 45 minutes of deliberation, the jury ruled there was evidence of an aggravated factor, meaning Petersen could be sentenced more severely than typical for his crimes. Upon the finding from the jury, Riley County District Court Judge Grant Bannister revoked Petersen’s bond. Petersen was…
Author: Paul Parker
Two men were hospitalized Thursday morning following a semi crash on Interstate 70 near Todd Ranch Road. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 6:05 a.m. in the westbound lanes at mile marker 343. Troopers say a 2026 Peterbilt semi left the roadway to the right and came to rest in a ditch. The driver, 48-year-old Kenneth Tate of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a passenger, 33-year-old Nicholas Lorthe of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, were transported to Stormont Vail Hospital with suspected minor injuries. The patrol reports Tate was wearing a seat belt, while Lorthe was not restrained as…
Find us on Apple Podcasts Find us on Spotify Subscribe to our YouTube channel Concrete pump truck tips, damages cars at K-State Closing arguments conclude in Petersen sex crimes trial Police seek tips after southwest Manhattan car break-ins + more local headlines and the latest in sports.
During a budget work session on Tuesday, the Manhattan City Commission directed city staff to publish the 2026 budget, opting for a 1.35 mill levy increase. That brings the mill levy to 54.459, which will increase property taxes for the average Manhattan resident by 7.7%, based on a 5% average increase in existing, single-family home valuations. For example, a homeowner who paid $610.75 in property taxes on a $100,000 home in 2025 would pay $657.59 on a home worth $105,000 in 2026. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
By Rose Gruenbacher Three patients of former Manhattan chiropractor Clark Petersen testified Tuesday afternoon as character witnesses for Petersen, who faces 60 counts of sex crimes against other former patients in Riley County District Court. The three women all said they knew Petersen as a good chiropractor who helped them and had known him for at least 30 years. They all said they offered to testify on his behalf. Though one woman, Marcia Harris, admitted her opinion of Petersen may change if the things 19 women allege Petersen did to them are ruled to be true, the other two appeared…
Find us on Apple Podcasts Find us on Spotify Subscribe to our YouTube channel Manhattan budget plan raises taxes 7.7% Former chiropractor Petersen testifies in sex crimes trial + more local headlines and the latest in sports.
By Rose Gruenbacher Valerie Petersen, wife of former Manhattan chiropractor Clark Petersen, took the witness stand in Riley County District Court Friday, in a trial charging her husband with numerous counts of sex crimes against some of his former patients. She was the first witness called in attorney Nicholas Heiman’s presentation of the defense’s case. She started working full-time as an office assistant in her husband’s private chiropractic practice around 2004, and stayed until the practice closed after his arrest. She told the jury that in her time working at the office, she didn’t notice any patients that seemed unhappy…
Ongoing construction and redevelopment in Aggieville continues to challenge to local businesses. Earlier this summer, Manhattan Public Works closed off 12th Street between Moro and Laramie for utility replacement, causing major disruptions to the district. Aggieville Business Association executive director Dennis Cook says despite the disruptions, business owners are mindful that the project will yield positive results when finished. “They can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “They know that by October or November, that stretch of 12th Street from Moro Street to the alley will get open and these people are going to have…
By Emma Loura To fill the district’s need for occupational therapists, USD 383 is contracting with the company Sunbelt Staffing LLC. At Wednesday night’s meeting, the school board gave final approval to a contract for occupational therapy services to fill the IEP needs for the 2025-2026 school year. “As a reminder, the reason we’re having to do this contract is that we were unable to recruit an O.T. to work for the district for this year,” school board president Kristin Brighton said. “I’m assuming those efforts to find someone are still ongoing and will continue.” To view the full article…
Find us on Apple Podcasts Find us on Spotify Subscribe to our YouTube channel Neighbors voice concerns over possible fraternity expansion Aggieville road closures under review + more local headlines and the latest in sports.