Author: Troy Coverdale

Recent thunderstorm activity has seen flash flooding concerns take center stage, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are recognizing Memorial Day as National Dam Safety Awareness Day. The operations project manager at Tuttle Creek, Brian McNulty, tells Newsradio KMAN the Corps wants to remind people to be prepared, even though the larger floods are a rarity. McNulty adds that local emergency management agencies are working to be better prepared for large flooding events, as well. In 2019, the flood pool at Tuttle Creek reached 99-ponit-six percent, heightening concerns about the potential release of water from the lake. McNulty, tells…

A new veterans’ memorial walkway has been installed at Valley View Memorial Park, with the ribbon cutting coming up Thursday. VFW Lee Pierson Post Commander Dan Watkins on KMAN’s In Focus said Monday this is a project that began in one form in the early 2000’s, but were left, essentially, abandoned after plans changed. The ribbon cutting for the walk will be Thursday at ten as Mark and Caron Berges of Valley View donated the space for the walk to be installed. They also had been storing the bricks until they were placed for the walkway The VFW is seeking…

With dignitaries from the city and USD 383 on hand Friday, Manhattan Parks and Rec officials were among those cutting a ribbon to open the new Anthony Recreation Center. Director of Recreation Randi Clifford noted the center’s opening adds to a growing list of facilities the department is overseeing–quick growth in a short time, as the department goes from managing one basketball court to 11. He also noted the three new recreation centers that are opening in 2021 are the first such facilities built in the city since Peace Memorial Auditorium opened in 1955. City manager Ron Fehr noted the…

Fire investigators have determined the fire that heavily damaged a fast-food restaurant in late March started when cooking oil ignited on soiled towels in a storage area. The March 28th fire at the Taco John’s on Leavenworth Street near Tuttle Creek Boulevard was ruled accidental after video evidence showed the blaze starting. Manahttan Fire investigators also declared a fire in apartments in at 1200 Yuma Street as accidental. A multi-plug outlet was overloaded sparking the fire this past Saturday night.

More than 180 businesses and organizations in the state have sent a letter to Governor Laura Kelly asking she opt the state out of the extra federal unemployment benefits program. The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce signed on to the letter, and President Jason Smith said on KMAN’s In Focus Thursday that the Little Apple isn’t isolated from the labor shortages that have developed in retail, food service and hospitality as demand begins to pick up. Smith noted there were exceptional traffic numbers last weekend for hospitality-related businesses, putting a pinch on them to provide quality service while short on staff.…

A Manhattan man accused of multiple felony sexual crimes against a 15-year old girl appears to be headed to an October trial. District Court Judge Grant Bannister ruled this morning (THU) that statements made by Alan Ingwersen before his arrest will be admissible when the case goes in front of a jury starting October 4th. Ingwersen’s statements came during an voluntary interview at the Riley County Jail with a detective who was looking into the accusations. The 67-year old has been charged with three rape counts, six of aggravated criminal sodomy and four of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Manhattan Christian College is closing in on the purchase of the Anderson Village property adjacent to it, with plans to turn the upper level apartments into housing for male students by the 2022-23 school year. President Kevin Ingram on KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday said buying the mixed-use property would allow the college to replace the current men’s dormitory Johnson Hall. Ingram made clear that the move to use the upper floor of the building as housing for MCC, however, won’t take place for the upcoming school year. MCC sold Anderson Village to a private developer in 1985. Ingram said that…

The Riley County Law Board heard Monday that the RCPD’s Firearms Range near Zeandale is nearing full operational status. Captain Brad Jager told the board that officers have already been using the site while improvements were being made, including a training session while the board meeting was taking place. The new range sits on nearly 150 acres purchased two years ago by the county. It’s adjacent to the former RCPD range near the intersection of Zeandale and Tabor Valley roads. The Law Board was to take up the department’s budget for the next fiscal year during the meeting. Following an…

An Illinois man wanted in Riley County for an August 2020 domestic incident at a hotel was arrested and brought to Manhattan Thursday night. Isain Lopez was being held on a separate warrant in Joliet, Illinois, when the Will County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Marshalls took him into custody on the Riley County allegations. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic batter and domestic battery. Lopez is being held at the Riley County Jail on a quarter-of-a-million dollar bond.

Kansas State University graduations get started Friday morning at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, with total of eight ceremonies taking place there–not counting Manhattan High’s use of the stadium for their graduation that night. Friday’s schedule has the graduate school ceremony at nine, the College of Veterinary Medicine at four and Manhattan High’s commencement tonight at 7:30. Saturday’s schedule is the same, with the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and College of Health and Human Sciences holding their ceremonies. On Sunday, the College of Agriculture’s graduation is at eight, the College of Business Administration’s ceremony is at one…