During their Tuesday meeting, Manhattan City Commissioners discussed a possible transfer of special alcohol funds to the Riley County Police Department to help cover the cost of mental health co-responders currently under contract from Pawnee Mental Health Services. When first proposed, the transfer of these funds intended to help lower property tax transfers to RCPD [...]
A recommendation last month by the Pottawatomie County Planning Commission to impose a one year moratorium on new rezonings and preliminary plats in Blue Township is coming back to that board for reconsideration. The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved sending that recommendation back. Commissioner Greg Riat noted a desire to provide the planning commission [...]
Former Deputy County Clerk Desiree Thompson addressed the Pottawatomie County Commission Monday regarding negative experiences while employed in the County Clerk’s office during and after her pregnancy. Thompson presented each commissioner documenting incidents where she says she was made to feel her pregnancy, maternity leave and her decision to breastfeed her son were inconveniences to [...]
John Matta will seek a third term on the Manhattan City Commission. After winning a 2-year term in 2021, Matta says he has unfinished business he’d like to complete, focusing on housing, economic development and affordability related to taxation. Matta tells KMAN he believes the city has achieved a lot in terms of economic development. [...]
A Manhattan man was arrested Monday on allegations of rape and furnishing alcohol to a minor. The Riley County Police Department said Tuesday that 29-year-old Dameon Skidmore was being held at the Riley County Jail in lieu of bond, pending a first court appearance. The victim in the case is a 15-year-old girl known to [...]
Riley County fire officials say early detection of an attic fire prevented major damage to a home on Rocky Ford Circle, north of Manhattan, this past weekend. Firefighters from Riley County District No. 1 were dispatched around 2 a.m. Sunday to a residential fire alarm activated by a smoke detector. They contained rather quickly, a [...]
The Riley County Law Board approved the Riley County Police Department’s 2024 Proposed Budget 3 for publication Monday, which included the Board’s previous request to lower cost of living adjustments (COLA) to 6.5% After considering Proposed Budget 2 last month, the board voiced concerns about its 8% COLA and requested RCPD return with a third [...]
A groundbreaking ceremony for a new Agronomy Research and Innovation Center at Kansas State University had to be moved indoors Monday, due to rain, leading to a standing-room only crowd of guests inside the university’s Agronomy Education Center. The new facility will be located within the Edge Collaboration District, across from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. [...]
A Manhattan man was taken into custody Saturday evening after he reportedly stole another man’s gun. RCPD says 30-year-old Michael Brooks was arrested in the 1900 block of Crescent Drive, resisting initially when officers were taking him into custody. The gun owner and victim in the case was a 19-year-old man. Brooks is charged with [...]
Riley County Police are investigating an alleged armed burglary that occurred Friday at a Manhattan apartment complex. 31-year-old Chancellor Copenhaver, of Wamego, is accused of breaking into an apartment in the 1300 block of Flint Hills Place with a shotgun. Officers responded and located him behind the apartment along with residents known to him. Copenhaver [...]
