A Manhattan man pleaded not guilty to 25 charges of child solicitation and promoting obscenity to minors on Tuesday in Riley County District Court.

Kenneth Owen Kelley, 25, entered not guilty pleas to 13 counts of electronic solicitation of someone the offender believed to be a child less than 14 years old and 12 counts of promoting obscenity to minors.

His case goes to trial on Jan. 4, 2027.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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A 49-year-old Manhattan man barricaded himself in his apartment Monday afternoon at the 400 block of Leavenworth Street while police attempted to arrest him.

A Riley County Police Department representative said the man was wanted for aggravated assault on a 49-year-old man working in the 200 block of North 5th Street in an incident at 1:14 p.m.

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Severe thunderstorms could bring damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall to northeast and east-central Kansas Tuesday afternoon and evening, with flooding becoming a greater concern overnight and into Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Flood Watch for portions of east-central Kansas from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Forecasters say multiple rounds of thunderstorms could produce 1 to 3 inches of rain, with localized amounts of 3 to 4 inches possible in the watch area.

A slight risk, or Level 2 of 5, for severe thunderstorms remains in effect Tuesday for much of the region, including Manhattan, Junction City and Topeka.

Storms are expected to develop along a cold front between 3 and 5 p.m., intensifying as they move northeast. The strongest storms are expected between 5 and 8 p.m., with another round of strong storms potentially moving into the region from central Kansas between 8 and 11 p.m.

Forecasters say storms could produce wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, hail between 1 and 2 inches in diameter and rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The tornado risk is considered low.

The threat is expected to transition toward flooding Tuesday night as additional storms develop. Rain chances remain high through Thursday, with another round of heavy rainfall possible Wednesday night into Thursday.

The Weather Service says an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain could fall during that period, potentially bringing storm-total rainfall to 3 to 5 inches in portions of east-central Kansas. Confidence has increased in the potential for flash flooding and river flooding, particularly in areas under the Flood Watch.

According to the latest forecast, Manhattan could receive between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain through Thursday, with higher totals possible farther south and east.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported Tuesday morning that Tuttle Creek Reservoir was utilizing 12% of its flood storage capacity, down from 13% Monday.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the reservoir’s elevation stood at 1,091.74 feet, down from 1,092.44 feet Monday morning.

Inflows were measured at 4,425 cubic feet per second Tuesday morning, while outflows remained at 12,000 cubic feet per second.

Stay tuned to News Radio KMAN for the latest weather updates.

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A 49-year-old man barricaded himself in his apartment Monday afternoon at the 400 block of Leavenworth Street while police attempted to arrest the man.

A Riley County Police Department representative said the man is wanted for aggravated assault on a nearby worker from an incident earlier that day.

The post Police arrest barricaded man appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Severe thunderstorms could bring damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall to northeast and east-central Kansas Tuesday, followed by an increased risk of flooding Wednesday and Thursday.

The National Weather Service in Topeka says showers and thunderstorms are likely beginning late Tuesday afternoon, with rain chances ranging from 60% to 90% through Thursday.

A slight risk, or Level 2 of 5, for severe thunderstorms is in effect Tuesday for much of the region, including Manhattan, Junction City and Topeka. Storms are expected to develop along a cold front Tuesday afternoon and continue into the evening.

Forecasters say some storms could produce wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, hail between 1 and 1.5 inches in diameter and rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. The location of the cold front will determine where the greatest severe weather threat develops.

Heavy rainfall is expected to become the primary concern Wednesday into Thursday morning. The Weather Service says portions of east-central Kansas have a 50% to 70% chance of receiving at least 2 inches of rain by Thursday morning.

Manhattan has about a 36% chance of receiving at least 2 inches, according to the Weather Service’s forecast graphic. Some areas of east-central Kansas could receive 3 to 4 inches, although confidence in rainfall totals exceeding 4 inches remains low.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported Monday morning that Tuttle Creek Reservoir was utilizing 13% of its flood storage capacity, with conservation storage at 100%.

As of 8 a.m. Monday, the reservoir’s elevation stood at 1,092.44 feet, down 0.81 feet from the previous reporting period. Inflows were measured at 4,070 cubic feet per second, while outflows were running at 12,000 cubic feet per second.

Stay tuned to News Radio KMAN for severe weather updates.

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Manhattan city commissioners will discuss three public works agenda items during Tuesday’s work session, including lane closure policies and road salt storage.

The commission will consider its lane closure permit policy for city streets, sidewalks and parking stalls. In May 2026, public works presented a draft policy to require a permit and fee for temporary lane closures of city rights of way. Staff members seek feedback from the commission on the decision points necessary to draft the implementing ordinance.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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A 26-year-old Fort Riley man was taken to the hospital Sunday morning following a two-vehicle crash on I-70 in Riley County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at about 7 a.m. near mile marker 319, approximately three miles west of Tallgrass Road.

A 2016 Jeep Patriot driven by Elijah Isaiah Daniels, 26, of Fort Riley, was stopped in the westbound right lane when it was struck from behind by a 2020 Volvo truck driven by Sukhrob Rakhimov, 25, of Powell, Ohio. Both vehicles came to rest in the right lane.

Daniels was transported to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan with a possible injury. Rakhimov was not injured.

The crash report indicates both drivers were wearing seat belts.

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A man died Sunday night after suffering an apparent stab wound in Junction City.

The Junction City Police Department said officers responded just after 8 p.m. to the 500 block of West Ninth Street for a report of a person suffering from a stab wound.

Officers located an adult man with what appeared to be a stab wound and began lifesaving measures. The victim was transported by Junction City EMS to Stormont Vail Flint Hills Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of family members.

Police said all individuals present during the incident have been identified and interviewed. No arrests have been made, and authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the community.

The case remains under investigation and will be forwarded to the Geary County District Attorney’s Office for review to determine whether charges are warranted.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Junction City Police at 785-762-5912 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 785-762-8477.

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A 44-year-old Blaine woman was arrested following a drug investigation that led to the seizure of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in Pottawatomie County.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office said deputies executed a search warrant Oct. 8 at a residence in the 12000 block of Bucksnort Road near Blaine. Authorities seized methamphetamine and numerous items of drug paraphernalia during the search.

Katrina Taylor was arrested on allegations of aggravated endangering a child, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The sheriff’s office said additional charges could be filed pending laboratory testing of the seized items.
Taylor remained confined in the Pottawatomie County Jail on a $15,000 bond at the time of the report.

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Fort Riley is entering a busy period as soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade begin deploying, while the post prepares for leadership changes, Veterans Day activities and the Army’s 250th anniversary.

Christian Bishop, director of military relations for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, provided an update to Riley County commissioners on Thursday, saying deployment is underway.

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