Local News

The Junction City Police Department says officers and detectives have seized over 2,300 fentanyl-laced pills in the past two weeks from ongoing drug investigations in the area. The pills, commonly referred to as “Dirty 30s” were recovered along with 3 kilograms of pure fentanyl, the department said in a Saturday social media post. The seizure [...]

The post Junction City Police announce seizure of over 2,300 fentanyl-laced pills appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

  The Manhattan Lions Club hosted their annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning at City Park. Local children ages 2-8 collected easter eggs hidden around various locations within the park. Leila Gillespie has been a Manhattan Lions Club member for over 20 years, and says the Easter egg hunt tradition is a long-standing one. [...]

The post Lions Club hosts annual Easter egg hunt at City Park appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete is approaching the upcoming budget cycle cognizant of the current, more conservative Law Board’s desires to maintain a lean budget. Peete spoke Thursday on KMAN’s In Focus podcast about the upcoming budget process, which will begin to take shape in April. Budgets have gone up every year since 2020, [...]

The post RCPD director expecting to bring “very responsible budget request” to Law Board appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

With the impending retirement of CEO Robbin Cole at Pawnee Mental Health Services, a new CEO is set to the take the reins in the coming months. Michael Rezkalla was appointed by the Pawnee Mental Health Governing Board in late-January and he has been working with Cole through the transition before her retirement. Rezkalla arrived [...]

The post New Pawnee CEO “humbled” by new opportunity appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Riley County emergency management teamed up with the National Weather Service to teach a free storm spotter class Thursday night at Pottorf Hall. Meteorologist Chad Omitt spoke to a few dozen residents about many topics including severe weather safety tips, how to report information, and an in-depth look at local weather patterns. “We talk to [...]

The post National Weather Service hosts storm spotter class in Manhattan appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

By Tim Weideman news@themercury.com Short-term rentals are causing a stir in at least one Riley County neighborhood. Several residents of Terra Heights Drive raised concerns during Thursday’s Riley County Commission meeting ranging from parties causing disturbances to trespassing on neighbors’ properties. Popularized by platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO, short-term rentals are privately owned homes, [...]

The post Neighbors concerned over short-term rental regulations, enforcement appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

By Beth Day – The Times Pottawatomie County Amy Davis was surprised Thursday afternoon when the town hall she thought she was attending at Wamego’s Valley Vista turned out to be a celebration in her honor. Davis is the Valley Vista Director of Nursing. When she came into the room, it wasn’t just the regional [...]

The post Valley Vista Director surprised with national recognition from Good Samaritan Society appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

A bill that cleans up language for Kansas counties looking to expand their county commissions has unanimously cleared both legislative chambers and now heads to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk for a final signature. After Pottawatomie County voters approved expansion in 2022, it became apparent that wouldn’t happen right away after the county’s legal team learned [...]

The post Kansas Senate advances bill clarifying timeline for county commission expansions appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The Riley County School Board has filled one of three vacancies on the board. Sara Wahlmeier-Cox, who finished as runner up in District 3 last fall with 43% of the vote, was sworn in during a special meeting Wednesday. She replaces Jeff Hancock, who defeated her, but abruptly resigned his seat on Feb. 12, following disagreements with a [...]

The post Wahlmeier-Cox appointed to USD 378 school board appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

After five hours of deliberation Wednesday, a Pottawatomie County jury has convicted 22-year-old McKaine Farr of distribution of a controlled substance causing death. The conviction stems from a March 2023 incident at a Manhattan hotel involving Thomas Jackson DeLoach, of Manhattan, who died. This was Farr’s second conviction on the same charge. In December, he [...]

The post Wamego man convicted for second drug distribution causing death case appeared first on News Radio KMAN.