Author: Paul Parker

Riley County Police are investigating a burglary reported Wednesday morning in central Manhattan. Officers filed the report around 10:37 a.m. in the 1200 block of Poyntz Avenue. Police said a 73-year-old man reported that an unknown suspect entered his building and stole copper. The loss is estimated at $1,550. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact RCPD or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Tipsters using Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Click here for more local news.

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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