Former Manhattan preschool nurse convicted of child sex crimes
A former preschool nurse in Manhattan has pleaded guilty to two counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child and will be sentenced later this year. Joshua Penabaz, 45, entered the pleas in Riley County District Court Wednesday morning. The victim in both counts was under the age of 14. Deputy Riley County Attorney Trinity [...]

Riley County officials say an estimated 300 acres burned in a Tuesday wildfire northeast of Randolph. That fire was 90% contained as of Wednesday morning, with crews performing “mop up” and monitoring conditions by midday, according to Public Information Officer Vivienne Leyva. Strong winds spread embers from a large fire burning on the Pottawatomie County [...]
A Wamego man remains jailed in Brown County without bond on charges of aggravated human trafficking. Authorities say 42-year-old Camden Hubbard was arrested Saturday west of Hiawatha, after a teenager was found driving his car with alcohol and drugs inside, including fentanyl. Hubbard was a passenger in the vehicle. The Sheriff’s Office credits its K-9 [...]
After some light storms last week, the Manhattan area may see some more powerful storms late Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Storm Prediction Center has placed Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties into the Slight (Level 2) risk for severe weather Wednesday afternoon and evening with the main threats being large hail, damaging winds and a [...]
The Manhattan Fire Department says improperly discarded smoking materials were to blame for a structure fire in southwest Manhattan Tuesday night. Firefighters were dispatched to 156 North Dartmouth just before 9:30 p.m., with heavy fire showing from the back of the home, extending into the attic. The blaze was brought under control within 30 minutes. [...]
During Tuesday’s legislative session, Manhattan City Commissioners discussed the implementation of a Rural Housing Incentive District program. An RHID captures incremental gain in property taxes for a housing development project which can be used to reimburse the project’s infrastructure costs. Director of Community Development Stephanie Peterson, The board agreed that there is a need for [...]
The Riley County Board of Commissioners signed a disaster declaration today, April 18th, activating disaster emergency plans to combat a wildfire burning in a northern section of the county. According to a news release, “The declaration was issued because the fires near Indian Hill Road and Mariadahl Road imminently threaten to cause wide-spread or severe [...]