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Jury selection begins for Texas man’s sex crimes trial

Rose Gruenbacher — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:02:34 +0000

A Laredo, Texas, man’s trial in Riley County District Court began Tuesday with jury selection in a case charging him with sex crimes against three people.

Police arrested Abel Gutierrez Jr., 35, last January after extradition from Laredo for a warrant issued by Riley County in 2023. He is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of sexual battery.

The warrant and arrest are connected to events in July 2022. A complaint filed with the court said Gutierrez touched three people born in 2003, 2002 and 1988 without their consent.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Health officials on leave as Riley County conducts internal investigation

KMAN Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 17:45:27 +0000

By Bryan Richardson

Some Riley County Health Department employees have been placed on administrative leave as the county conducts an investigation into a financial situation.

“There’s just been some allegations that gave some concern with financial processes and certain personnel management,” county counselor Jacob Hansen told The Mercury on Monday.

Hansen said he and the human resources department are spearheading the internal investigation.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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USD 383 celebrates 2025-2026 retirees

KMAN Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 17:43:00 +0000

Retirees of United School District 383 Manhattan-Ogden will be celebrated Wednesday in a reception hosted by the Manhattan-Ogden NEA and the board of education.

The reception, held at 5:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Education Center commons at 901 Poyntz Avenue, will honor the 2025-2026 retirees from the school district. The public is invited to attend and help celebrate.

Celebrated retirees include:

Darren Allman, Manhattan High School, Art Teacher
Diana Aschenbrenner, Amanda Arnold Elementary, Fifth Grade Teacher
Brooke Blanck, Manhattan Virtual Academy, Principal
Joel Gittle, Manhattan High School, Instrumental Instructor
Christine Grosnick, Infant & Toddler Services, Speech Language Pathologist
Julie Head, Anthony Middle School, Reading Intervention Teacher
Michella Jackson, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Special Education Teacher
Cheryl Jaymes, Manhattan High School, Financial Secretary
Shannon Keller, Eisenhower Middle School, Science Teacher
Curtis Leddy, Manhattan Virtual Academy, Science Teacher
Curtis Lee, Manhattan High School, Paraeducator
Elke Lorenz, Manhattan High School, German Language Teacher
Michael Marsh, Manhattan High School, Assistant Principal — Athletic Director
Paige McCarthy, Manhattan High School, CTE Business Teacher
Thomas Mignano, Amanda Arnold Elementary, Paraeducator
Doug Muller, Manhattan High School, Industrial Technology and Agriculture Teacher
Lori O’Brien, Eisenhower Middle School, Positive Behavior Interventionist
Eric Ross, Manhattan High School, School Counselor
Margaret Rouse, Eugene Field Early Learning, Assistant Teacher
Sandy Steck, Technology Department, Help Desk/Data Specialist
Sara Steenbock, College Hill Early Learning, Special Education Teacher
Donald Sturdevant, Transportation Department, Trainer
Krista Thaemert, Bluemont Elementary, Intervention Teacher
Debbie White, Child Nutrition Department, Central Kitchen Baker

The post USD 383 celebrates 2025-2026 retirees appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Manhattan man arrested for battery on law enforcement officer

KMAN Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:43:01 +0000

A Manhattan man was arrested late Sunday night at the Riley County Law Enforcement Center following a reported incident involving a law enforcement officer, according to the Riley County Police Department.

Officers filed a report at approximately 11:37 p.m. May 4th in the 1000 block of South Seth Child Road, the location of the Riley County Law Enforcement Center, for battery on a law enforcement officer. A 24-year-old man was listed as the victim, and a 47-year-old man was identified as the suspect.

Matthew Muse, 47, of Manhattan, was arrested on a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer.

Muse was issued a total bond of $15,000 and remains confined in the Riley County Jail at the time of this report.

The post Manhattan man arrested for battery on law enforcement officer appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Police investigate assault, aggravated battery report on Anneberg Drive

KMAN Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:38:01 +0000

Police are investigating a reported assault and aggravated battery involving two individuals Monday morning in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department.

Officers filed a report at approximately 9:41 a.m. May 4th in the 900 block of Anneberg Drive. A 24-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were both listed as victims and suspects in the incident.

According to the report, the 24-year-old man alleged the 28-year-old man nearly struck his vehicle with another vehicle. The 28-year-old man alleged the 24-year-old man struck him with a vehicle.

No additional information was immediately released.

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One injured in crash near Vattier, North 4th intersection

KMAN Staff — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:32:00 +0000

One person was transported to the hospital Monday evening following a two-vehicle crash in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department.

Officers responded at approximately 7:52 p.m. May 4th to the intersection of Vattier Street and North Fourth Street for a reported injury accident. Upon arrival, officers determined that a 2011 Dodge driven by Jeremy Hicks, 21, of Manhattan, had struck a 2018 Ford driven by Nonacik Reckert, 31, of Manhattan.

Reckert was transported by EMS to Via Christi Hospital for treatment.

Hicks was issued a citation for failure to yield at a yield sign.

The post One injured in crash near Vattier, North 4th intersection appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Topeka man convicted of attempted 2nd degree murder following plea deal

Rose Gruenbacher — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:49:55 +0000

A Topeka man was convicted of a slew of charges including attempted 2nd degree murder after he entered a plea agreement with county prosecutors on Monday in Riley County District Court.

Dontreveon Stephon Temple-McGlory, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted 2nd degree murder against Sierre Serr and Clayson Joyce, criminal discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, three counts of criminal damage to property and two counts of contributing to a child’s misconduct by encouraging them to commit a felony.

Temple-McGlory’s convictions stem from events on Nov. 30, 2024. Assistant Riley County attorney Trinity Muth provided the court with a summary of the evidence the prosecution would have presented if the case had gone to trial.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Former Riley County corrections officer makes first court appearance

Rose Gruenbacher — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:44:23 +0000

A former Riley County Jail corrections officer made her first appearance Friday in Riley County District Court for a case charging her with trafficking contraband into a correctional facility.

Ashley Britt, 24, of Manhattan is charged with eight counts of trafficking contraband in the Riley County Jail between Sep. 20 and Oct. 1 last year. A document filed with the court lists the contraband items as food, nicotine, headphones, hair ties, a comb and condiments.

Kansas Bureau of Investigation agents arrested Britt for the alleged offenses on April 10 and booked her into the Geary County jail before releasing her on an $8,000 bond later the same day.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Former Riley County corrections officer makes first court appearance appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

4 Manhattan teens arrested

KMAN Staff — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:40:00 +0000

Police arrested four Manhattan teenagers Friday for a report of violent crimes against a 15-year-old boy.

Banjamin Antonio Chavez Birdwell, 17, was arrested at 3:14 p.m. in the 2100 block of Oak Street; brothers Jamie Earl Ellis Jr., 16, and Isaiah Amos Ellis, 17, were arrested at 8512 Golden Eagle Court; and Benjamin Gael Carranza, 16, was arrested in the 2200 block of Blueberry Drive.

All four boys are charged with aggravated robbery inflicting bodily harm, battery and aggravated assault while disguised to conceal their identities. The Riley County Police Department released them to another facility.

An RCPD spokesman said the charges are connected to an April 28 report at 42 Powerline Place concerning a stolen iPhone and Airpod headphones, with an approximate value of $650.

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Fort Riley woman takes book store on the road at Flint Hills Fest

Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez — Mon, 04 May 2026 18:21:08 +0000

A Fort Riley woman is writing a new chapter for herself by starting a mobile bookstore.

Kaitlynn Steen of Fort Riley, the owner of Backyard Bookshelf, said her business model is “not just books; it’s things that make me laugh and bring me joy.”

Steen was among the vendors at the annual Flint Hills Fest on Saturday at Blue Earth Plaza.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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