Author: Rhonda Zellweger

Kansas State Police responded to a crash in Pottawatomie County shortly before 5 p.m. on Independence Day. A 1999 Cessna single fixed-wing aircraft was traveling northbound on Runway 36 at Wamego Airport, when a miscommunication occurred. During an attempt to perform a short-field takeoff, the 22-year-old student pilot misheard his 65-year-old instructor, causing the plane to continue on the ground. Despite applying brakes, the aircraft continued its momentum, going beyond the runway into the grass. The plane eventually came to rest in a corn field. The owner of the Cessna was able to remove the aircraft from the field. Neither…

The 100-year-old First Infantry Division Memorial was rededicated Sunday morning, unveiling added soldiers. The monument is just outside of the White House in Washington, D.C. The names of 631 fallen Big Red One Soldiers killed in action during Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn were added ensuring they are forever remembered.  Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ronald Watts says there’s one person who worked tirelessly for seven years to ensure our fallen First Infantry Division soldiers are rightfully honored: The Armed Forces Community Foundation partnered with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation to cover the costs of…

Just before midnight on Friday, the contents in a metal shed at the home of Calvin and Carolyn Dishman caught fire. Calvin Dishman says he was fighting the fire with a garden hose and believed he had it mostly contained as First Responders arrived on scene at 4721 McIntyre Road. The property, which is located off Tuttle Cove Road just west of Tuttle Creek Lake, contains a 3-bedroom house, and several outbuildings. The shed where the fire started is about five feet from the north side and situated closer to the northwest corner of the single-family house. There is also…

Senator Jerry Moran recently joined others in Congress supporting passage of the Laken Riley Act. The legislation has already passed in the House of Representatives. The bill is intended to ensure states have standing to bring civil actions against federal officials who violate or refuse to enforce immigration law. “We want to try to make certain that if someone gets through our border, which is really common now, that the crime that might be occurring is something that we try to eliminate and that’s what this bill is about. The real emphasis ought to be on stopping people who are…

Nearly 8,000 Evergy customers in Manhattan lost power around 8:15 Sunday morning. About ten minutes later, the Manhattan Fire Department responded to a reported fire at an Evergy substation. Deputy Chief Ryan Almes confirms they responded to the substation, located at Walters Drive and Tuttle Creek Boulevard, “but didn’t find anything.” Evergy reported 15 outages in the area, affecting 7,952 customers at about 8:45 a.m. An hour later, nearly half were restored, leaving less than 3,300 customers without power. All area outages were restored by 11 a.m., leaving less than ten customers awaiting restoration. Evergy asks customers still experiencing a…

Manhattan has become a new home for more than 200 refugees in recent years. Valor Honey was recently awarded a grant to conduct training for Afghan Allies living in the area. The Manhattan organization is teaming with Manhattan Area Resettlement (MART) to offer the Honeybee Refugee Employability and Mental Health Program. The initiative is designed to integrate refugees into the community through beekeeping. The team aims to provide comprehensive training in beekeeping and honey production, fostering both employment opportunities and mental wellbeing for refugees in Manhattan. The one-year pilot will will address the need for employment and mental health support…

The National Weather Service in Topeka issued a Wind Chill Warning yesterday, which is set to expire at noon on Tuesday. Dangerously cold wind chills, expected to get as low as 40 degrees below zero, will be felt throughout Northeast Kansas. NWS recommends avoiding outdoor activities if possible, as wind this cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in about ten minutes. Anyone who must go outdoors is urged to wear appropriate clothing, hat and gloves to minimize exposed skin. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about cold-related injuries.  Many houses of worship in…

The FDA announced Thursday, The Quaker Oats Company has revised their product recall from December 15, 2023.   The update includes additional cereals, bars and snacks due to their potential to be contaminated. The foods may contain the organism Salmonella, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may experience flu-like symptoms, with a slight risk of the organism crossing into the bloodstream, causing severe illnesses.  The recently added items include multiple varieties of chewy granola bars, several Cap’n Crunch-flavored products, and a Munchies Snack…

Riley County Police jailed 42-year-old David Lee Huffman of Ogden, in lieu of $40,000 on Thursday morning. Huffman is accused in two incidents. In the first complaint (23-006922), he is charged with single counts each of: Theft by Deception (value between $1,500 and $25,000), Forgery, Identity Theft (while defrauding to receive benefits under $100,000), Making False Information, and Giving a Worthless Check (value between $1,000 and $25,000). RCPD PIO Ashley Tokoi says, officers filled a report for fraud/worthless check/theft in the 700 block of Pecan Circle in Manhattan on December 20, 2023. DeHart Plumbing reported receiving a fake cashier’s check…

The Aggieville Brewing Company has officially announced their Grand Opening in Manhattan. Owner-operators, and Manhattan natives, Ryan and Amber Emley invite the community to celebrate with them next week. Their team is working diligently to craft the perfect beer and food menu using quality ingredients. They’re excited to finally be able to share their new space and family-friendly atmosphere with everyone. The location is home to a brewing production facility and taproom, featuring 18 taps of in-house beer. Czech Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Imperial Stout, and a Raspberry Wheat are a sampling of the in-house brews they’ll have on tap. There’s…