The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733497638482.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
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Riley County Arrest Report December 6

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Fee Insurance Group is excited to announce the opening of its fifth location in Kansas, expanding into the Manhattan area. The new office, located at 555 Poyntz Ave, Suite 185, will enhance the company's ability to provide personalized and experienced insurance solutions to families, businesses, and communities across the region. To celebrate this expansion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 10th at 3:30 p.m.

President Bob Fee expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion: “Opening our Manhattan office is a testament to our commitment to Kansas communities. We’re excited to expand our reach and continue providing the high level of service that our clients expect from us, guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, leadership, and relationships.”

CEO Allen Fee added, “We are thrilled to grow across the state with our new office in Manhattan. Our already strong relationship with several key businesses in the area, most notably Steel and Pipe Supply, makes this expansion even more meaningful. We’re eager to bring our client-focused approach and passion for service to this vibrant community.”

Leading the growth in Manhattan is Lee Modesitt, who brings his strong leadership and a commitment to delivering an elevated client experience. As a longstanding Manhattan resident, Lee is excited to bring Fee’s 140-year legacy of excellence and relationships to the local community.

The Manhattan office marks a key step in Fee Insurance Group’s continued growth, as the company remains committed to remaining privately owned and perpetuating to another generation focused on its clients and communities.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.feeinsurancegroup.com/" target="_blank">www.feeinsurancegroup.com</a>&nbsp;or contact the Manhattan office at 785- 340-3500.

Fee Insurance GroupMANHATTAN, Kan. — Fee Insurance Group is excited to announce the opening of its fifth location in Kansas, expanding into the Manhattan area. The new office, located at 555 Poyntz Ave, Suite 185, will enhance the company's ability to provide personalized and experienced insurance solutions to families, businesses, and communities across the region. To celebrate this expansion, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 10th at 3:30 p.m.President Bob Fee expressed his enthusiasm about the expansion: “Opening our Manhattan office is a testament to our commitment to Kansas communities. We’re excited to expand our reach and continue providing the high level of service that our clients expect from us, guided by our core values of integrity, excellence, leadership, and relationships.”CEO Allen Fee added, “We are thrilled to grow across the state with our new office in Manhattan. Our already strong relationship with several key businesses in the area, most notably Steel and Pipe Supply, makes this expansion even more meaningful. We’re eager to bring our client-focused approach and passion for service to this vibrant community.”Leading the growth in Manhattan is Lee Modesitt, who brings his strong leadership and a commitment to delivering an elevated client experience. As a longstanding Manhattan resident, Lee is excited to bring Fee’s 140-year legacy of excellence and relationships to the local community.The Manhattan office marks a key step in Fee Insurance Group’s continued growth, as the company remains committed to remaining privately owned and perpetuating to another generation focused on its clients and communities.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.feeinsurancegroup.com/" target="_blank">www.feeinsurancegroup.com</a>&nbsp;or contact the Manhattan office at 785- 340-3500.

Fee Insurance Group plans Manhattan ribbon cutting

All railroad crossing arms are back up and working.

The Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System says the railroad crossing intersection is closed at Highway 99 and Lincoln Ave in Wamego. The intersection will be closed until further notice. Alternate routes are Ash Street and Balderson Blvd.

UPDATE:All railroad crossing arms are back up and working.---Lincoln street in Wamego is now open.----The Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System says the railroad crossing intersection is closed at Highway 99 and Lincoln Ave in Wamego. The intersection will be closed until further notice. Alternate routes are Ash Street and Balderson Blvd.I

Railroad crossing notice

Each day on his drive to K-State’s football stadium, Coach Bill Snyder remembered driving past the agricultural research plots. That stadium now bears his name - as does a new wheat variety developed by K-State’s wheat breeding program. For the 2024 year-end giving season, everyone can be a part of launching the KS Bill Snyder variety and supporting wheat research as part of the Legendary Greats giving campaign by the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation (KWCRF).&nbsp;

“The people here are very special, and what you do is meaningful,” Snyder said during a KWCRF event last spring. “When I came here in 1989, I learned that Kansas State people are truly special. They asked, ‘What can we do for you?’ That’s the Kansas State farmer way.”

The KWCRF supports wheat research above and beyond the dollars contributed by Kansas farmers through the checkoff by providing a mechanism for donors to give meaningfully to the future of wheat production. The foundation attracts a wide range of donors, from individuals with deep family ties to wheat production to global supporters. Established in 2012, the foundation has grown to more than $6 million in assets, highlighting the critical need for public-private partnerships in wheat research. Gifts to the KWCRF are used exclusively for wheat research and are tax-deductible.

“The goal in the end is to increase the profitability of Kansas wheat farmers,” said Tammy McClellan, KWCRF manager of donor relations. “And probably that's one of the reasons I love this work the most because I'm married to a Kansas wheat farmer, and I am a Kansas wheat farmer.”

“My father-in-law was on the Kansas Wheat Commission when they made their first vote to start putting funding into research. So, it's a nice family tradition to be involved in research.”&nbsp;

This giving season, the KWCRF is accepting gifts to the Legendary Greats – KS Bill Snyder &amp; Kansas Wheat Campaign. Donors will be helping promote wheat research during the 2025 fall football season as the variety KS Bill Snyder is introduced to the public. Donors to the campaign will be recognized with other donors in a display inside the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, located directly across from the Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.&nbsp;

KS Bill Snyder — the wheat variety — was the result of the long-running breeding program at the K-State Agricultural Research Center at Hays, led by Dr. Guorong Zhang, K-State wheat breeder, and his team. KS Bill Snyder is a medium-maturity and medium-short height variety that was the top-performing variety in the Southern Regional Performance Nursery in 2022. KS Bill Snyder has a solid disease package with good-to-intermediate resistance of stripe, leaf and stem rust, along with moderate resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (Wsm2 gene) and intermediate resistance to Triticum mosaic virus. It is also resistant to soilborne mosaic virus, allowing it to move into central Kansas, where it has shown decent yield potential. KS Bill Snyder, along with its very high yield potential, also has good drought tolerance, high tillering capacity, excellent straw strength and good quality.

Releasing a new variety like KS Bill Snyder is the result of years of work, requiring maintaining research greenhouses, keeping research equipment top-notch and supporting the teamwork between wheat breeders, professors and their research teams. This long, complicated work makes each release a true celebration, which is one reason why individual donors like Stephen Graham and his wife Sherry choose to donate to the KWCRF.&nbsp;

“You got to remember that this doesn't happen overnight; it takes many years of work and investment to make new varieties happen,” said Graham, who is a former assistant to the Dean of Agriculture for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University and administrator for the Kansas Wheat Commission in 1981 through 1995. “But at the same time, it’s fun to watch it evolve, watch us learn how our wheat is used. It’s a long game, but you help support this work that benefits our state so much.”&nbsp;

Donors can contribute in various ways, including cash donations, grain or stock gifts, legacy gifts through estate planning, and Required Minimum Distributions from retirement accounts. This flexibility allows everyone to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Donors can even specify what specific research areas their contributions will support, ensuring every dollar is used effectively and in line with donor goals.&nbsp;

“I appreciate walking in every morning, coming to work and seeing the variety and diversity of those donors,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations. “It shows you the passion for Kansas wheat and wheat research from different segments of the industry.”&nbsp;

Just as Coach Snyder transformed the Wildcats’ football program, the variety in his name embodies the relentless, disciplined pursuit of excellence by researchers and producers. By supporting the KWCRF, you too can contribute to supporting the future of Kansas wheat farming for generations to come.&nbsp;

Learn more about the Legendary Greats campaign or how to give to the KWCRF at fieldsforward.org or listen to a full conversation with McClellan and Graham in the most recent episode of the “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast at wheatsonyourmind.com.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655426692793.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas WheatEach day on his drive to K-State’s football stadium, Coach Bill Snyder remembered driving past the agricultural research plots. That stadium now bears his name - as does a new wheat variety developed by K-State’s wheat breeding program. For the 2024 year-end giving season, everyone can be a part of launching the KS Bill Snyder variety and supporting wheat research as part of the Legendary Greats giving campaign by the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation (KWCRF).&nbsp;“The people here are very special, and what you do is meaningful,” Snyder said during a KWCRF event last spring. “When I came here in 1989, I learned that Kansas State people are truly special. They asked, ‘What can we do for you?’ That’s the Kansas State farmer way.”The KWCRF supports wheat research above and beyond the dollars contributed by Kansas farmers through the checkoff by providing a mechanism for donors to give meaningfully to the future of wheat production. The foundation attracts a wide range of donors, from individuals with deep family ties to wheat production to global supporters. Established in 2012, the foundation has grown to more than $6 million in assets, highlighting the critical need for public-private partnerships in wheat research. Gifts to the KWCRF are used exclusively for wheat research and are tax-deductible.“The goal in the end is to increase the profitability of Kansas wheat farmers,” said Tammy McClellan, KWCRF manager of donor relations. “And probably that's one of the reasons I love this work the most because I'm married to a Kansas wheat farmer, and I am a Kansas wheat farmer.”“My father-in-law was on the Kansas Wheat Commission when they made their first vote to start putting funding into research. So, it's a nice family tradition to be involved in research.”&nbsp;This giving season, the KWCRF is accepting gifts to the Legendary Greats – KS Bill Snyder &amp; Kansas Wheat Campaign. Donors will be helping promote wheat research during the 2025 fall football season as the variety KS Bill Snyder is introduced to the public. Donors to the campaign will be recognized with other donors in a display inside the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, located directly across from the Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.&nbsp;KS Bill Snyder — the wheat variety — was the result of the long-running breeding program at the K-State Agricultural Research Center at Hays, led by Dr. Guorong Zhang, K-State wheat breeder, and his team. KS Bill Snyder is a medium-maturity and medium-short height variety that was the top-performing variety in the Southern Regional Performance Nursery in 2022. KS Bill Snyder has a solid disease package with good-to-intermediate resistance of stripe, leaf and stem rust, along with moderate resistance to Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (Wsm2 gene) and intermediate resistance to Triticum mosaic virus. It is also resistant to soilborne mosaic virus, allowing it to move into central Kansas, where it has shown decent yield potential. KS Bill Snyder, along with its very high yield potential, also has good drought tolerance, high tillering capacity, excellent straw strength and good quality.Releasing a new variety like KS Bill Snyder is the result of years of work, requiring maintaining research greenhouses, keeping research equipment top-notch and supporting the teamwork between wheat breeders, professors and their research teams. This long, complicated work makes each release a true celebration, which is one reason why individual donors like Stephen Graham and his wife Sherry choose to donate to the KWCRF.&nbsp;“You got to remember that this doesn't happen overnight; it takes many years of work and investment to make new varieties happen,” said Graham, who is a former assistant to the Dean of Agriculture for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University and administrator for the Kansas Wheat Commission in 1981 through 1995. “But at the same time, it’s fun to watch it evolve, watch us learn how our wheat is used. It’s a long game, but you help support this work that benefits our state so much.”&nbsp;Donors can contribute in various ways, including cash donations, grain or stock gifts, legacy gifts through estate planning, and Required Minimum Distributions from retirement accounts. This flexibility allows everyone to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Donors can even specify what specific research areas their contributions will support, ensuring every dollar is used effectively and in line with donor goals.&nbsp;“I appreciate walking in every morning, coming to work and seeing the variety and diversity of those donors,” said Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations. “It shows you the passion for Kansas wheat and wheat research from different segments of the industry.”&nbsp;Just as Coach Snyder transformed the Wildcats’ football program, the variety in his name embodies the relentless, disciplined pursuit of excellence by researchers and producers. By supporting the KWCRF, you too can contribute to supporting the future of Kansas wheat farming for generations to come.&nbsp;Learn more about the Legendary Greats campaign or how to give to the KWCRF at fieldsforward.org or listen to a full conversation with McClellan and Graham in the most recent episode of the “Wheat’s on Your Mind” podcast at wheatsonyourmind.com.&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Join the Legendary Greats Campaign by giving to the Kansas Wheat Commission Research Foundation

The Fort Riley Army Substance Abuse Program hosted their annual 3D Awareness Month Operation Santa Claus Sober Ruck March on Wednesday. 

The Army said despite the cold temps and early morning start time, over 600 soldiers, family members and civilians rucked through one of three courses which included 1.5, 3.2 and 8 mile options. Hundreds of toys were collected and delivered Thursday at Operation Santa Claus headquarters.&nbsp;

The Fort Riley Army Substance Abuse Program hosted their annual 3D Awareness Month Operation Santa Claus Sober Ruck March on Wednesday. The Army said despite the cold temps and early morning start time, over 600 soldiers, family members and civilians rucked through one of three courses which included 1.5, 3.2 and 8 mile options. Hundreds of toys were collected and delivered Thursday at Operation Santa Claus headquarters.&nbsp;

Toys are collected for Operation Santa Claus

Creekside at Fall Color Farms near Riley has received a $25,000 Kansas Attraction Development grant from Kansas Tourism for a new building.

Creekside at Fall Color Farms supplies more than 12,000 trees each year and is developing a new branch of agritourism. Beginning in the fall of 2026 the farm will have a completed orchard where different varieties of apples will be available for U-Pick. Kids activities will also be offered during the fall ranging from a barrel train to a tire mountain. Tree fields will be available for customers to walk through. The farm will pair with local schools to offer educational field trips.

There will be a new 40 x 70 building which will serve as a fresh produce market from mud-June until October. There will be a sales floor, kitchen and service-bar. They will be able to offer wood-fired pizzas on select weekends from Spring until Fall as well as craft-beer and cocktails for of-age customers. Thee will also be non-alcoholic slushes and ciders.

By Dewey TerrillLittle Apple PostCreekside at Fall Color Farms near Riley has received a $25,000 Kansas Attraction Development grant from Kansas Tourism for a new building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733436558432.jpeg" alt="Bridgette Jobe Kansas Director of Tourism, Marcia Rozell Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Greg McKinley&nbsp; Riley County&nbsp; Commission, Rose Howe, Scott Howe, Miah Howe Fall Color Farms, Darci Pottroff Mayor City of Riley." />
 <figcaption>Bridgette Jobe Kansas Director of Tourism, Marcia Rozell Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Greg McKinley&nbsp; Riley County&nbsp; Commission, Rose Howe, Scott Howe, Miah Howe Fall Color Farms, Darci Pottroff Mayor City of Riley.</figcaption>
 </figure>Creekside at Fall Color Farms supplies more than 12,000 trees each year and is developing a new branch of agritourism. Beginning in the fall of 2026 the farm will have a completed orchard where different varieties of apples will be available for U-Pick. Kids activities will also be offered during the fall ranging from a barrel train to a tire mountain. Tree fields will be available for customers to walk through. The farm will pair with local schools to offer educational field trips.There will be a new 40 x 70 building which will serve as a fresh produce market from mud-June until October. There will be a sales floor, kitchen and service-bar. They will be able to offer wood-fired pizzas on select weekends from Spring until Fall as well as craft-beer and cocktails for of-age customers. Thee will also be non-alcoholic slushes and ciders.&nbsp;

State awards grant to Creekside at Fall Color Farms

Konza Prairie Community Health Center in Manhattan is located in the former Ray's Apple Market building on 6th Street. That followed a move from the Riley County Health Department.

According to CEO Dani Hallgren 30% of the Konza workforce is in Manhattan and the move allowed them to move from 2,500 square feet to just under 10,000 square feet of space. They doubled medical and dental providers and in January will add behavioral health services.

The move has allowed more space to be freed up at the Konza facility in Junction City since some patients have been traveling from Manhattan to Junction City.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center in Manhattan is located in the former Ray's Apple Market building on 6th Street. That followed a move from the Riley County Health Department.According to CEO Dani Hallgren 30% of the Konza workforce is in Manhattan and the move allowed them to move from 2,500 square feet to just under 10,000 square feet of space. They doubled medical and dental providers and in January will add behavioral health services.The move has allowed more space to be freed up at the Konza facility in Junction City since some patients have been traveling from Manhattan to Junction City.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center operates a Manhattan facility

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged fraud in Riley County.

On Wednesday, police&nbsp;filed a report of fraud/theft by deception in the 300 block of Riley Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Casey's General Store reported an unknown man and woman used a "cash card" to obtain merchandise and lottery tickets but the card was fraudulent. 

Total loss associated with this report is $2,100. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating alleged fraud in Riley County.On Wednesday, police&nbsp;filed a report of fraud/theft by deception in the 300 block of Riley Avenue, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Casey's General Store reported an unknown man and woman used a "cash card" to obtain merchandise and lottery tickets but the card was fraudulent. Total loss associated with this report is $2,100. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RCPD: Suspects used fraudulent cash card to buy lottery tickets

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733412057893.png" alt="" />
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Riley County Arrest Report December 5

You can cut your own Christmas tree to decorate your home for FREE!

Manhattan Parks &amp; Rec will host their 10th annual Red Cedar Holiday Harvest on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 - 11 AM at the Warner Memorial Park in Manhattan.

This family-friendly event is FREE for everyone! They are partnering with Britt’s Farm for this community event, and will be offering a hayrack ride to and from the trees and have assorted goods for sale.

Bring a handsaw; no chainsaws allowed. Parks and Rec staff and Manhattan Fire Department will be on hand to assist if needed.

For more info email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com or call 785-587-2754.

Tree recycling will be available through January 31 at Longs Park. Please remove all ornaments and decorations before recycling.

You can cut your own Christmas tree to decorate your home for FREE!Manhattan Parks &amp; Rec will host their 10th annual Red Cedar Holiday Harvest on Saturday, December 7 from 8:30 - 11 AM at the Warner Memorial Park in Manhattan.This family-friendly event is FREE for everyone! They are partnering with Britt’s Farm for this community event, and will be offering a hayrack ride to and from the trees and have assorted goods for sale.Bring a handsaw; no chainsaws allowed. Parks and Rec staff and Manhattan Fire Department will be on hand to assist if needed.For more info email mhkprd@cityofmhk.com or call 785-587-2754.Tree recycling will be available through January 31 at Longs Park. Please remove all ornaments and decorations before recycling.

Red Cedar Holiday Harvest

On the morning of his federal trial this week for raping and terrorizing vulnerable Black women in the Kansas City, Kansas neighborhoods he patrolled for 35 years, ex-cop Roger Golubski&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/us/kansas-detective-roger-golubski-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU4.IynZ.E1v2SUhHPHiE&amp;smid=url-share">fatally shot himself</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/overlooked">story</a>, much like last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/13/nx-s1-5073947/kansas-marion-county-record-newspaper-raid-police-chief-charged">Marion police newsroom raid</a>, is another national black eye for law enforcement in Kansas abusing the public’s trust. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel coined the phrase “policing by consent” with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policing-by-consent/definition-of-policing-by-consent">nine principles</a>&nbsp;for democratic policing while establishing London’s first police force. In a nutshell, we consent to the idea of trusting some members of the community to exercise powers required to keep the peace on behalf of the community. In return, we willingly pledge our cooperation.

Police do not serve the state like an occupying army. They serve the people.&nbsp;This philosophy is foundational in most American police academies. At its core are accountability, transparency, and social ties. When these break, we break.&nbsp;Years of racial disparities for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/graphs.aspx">wrongful convictions</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/one-in-five-ending-racial-inequity-in-incarceration/">incarcerations</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/696355#:~:text=In%20the%20century%20since%20the,2015;%20Reppetto%2C%202012).">excessive force</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123070/police-shootings-rate-ethnicity-us/">lethal shootings</a>&nbsp;culminated in the fateful spring of 2020 when George Floyd became a tragic household name. Anti-police riots spawned a “back the blue” counter movement.&nbsp;People on both sides did not consent to what they were seeing.As a result, many bipartisan reforms took place from DC to statehouses and city halls to regain the consent of the public – bans on neck restraints and no-knock warrants, body-cam proliferation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4003">de-escalation training</a>, critical response teams with mental health professionals,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.akronohio.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/citizens_police_oversight_board.php">civilian oversight boards</a>, and ramped-up community policing.&nbsp;

None of these have necessarily proven to be blanket panaceas. Amidst local success stories,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/fatal-police-shootings-unreported/?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template">fatal police shootings</a>&nbsp;have risen along with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/?utm_campaign=launch&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_term=mapping%20police%20violence&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoiCFvckTQymuYnbmzZFMlEI3YElA&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA0rW6BhAcEiwAQH28Ik5TnM_C-tX1_YaXZGpGDGqPLEubcB34Uev_gPl1wxtIGpghE-5nTRoCIMAQAvD_BwE">police killings</a>.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/study-of-fatal-and-nonfatal-shootings-by-police-reveals-racial-disparities-dispatch-risks">Better data</a>&nbsp;on police incidents are shared but lack enough standardization to drive dependable policy making. Meanwhile, another proven reform – women in policing – careens into politically charged climates because of DEI implications and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/military-women-defense-hegseth-combat-916d50a7b465ccfea1aeb13bb91064b3">questioning women in combat</a>.&nbsp;Part of the debate revolves around the national&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/">30X30</a>&nbsp;initiative. 30X30 has sparked awareness on the benefits of women in policing with a goal of increasing representation from 20% to 30% for recruits by 2030. Wichita, Overland Park, and Salina have joined over 200 localities in taking this pledge. However, Topeka’s incoming police chief recently endorsed 30X30 amidst&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/14/topeka-police-chief-finalist-wants-more-female-officers-gop-objects/76220824007/">GOP pushback on quotas for women</a>.

Given policing’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/239416_IACP_RecruitmentBR_HR_0.pdf">staffing crisis</a>, local leaders would be remiss not to make a bigger play for half of the state’s population. After 2020,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://klcjournal.com/wichitas-police-shortage/">Wichita</a>&nbsp;was 14% below authorized full-strength,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/18/police-chief-union-disagree-on-whether-topeka-police-staffing-crisis/69569929007/">Topeka</a>&nbsp;13%, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://johnsoncountypost.com/2022/03/15/police-vacancies-142647/">Overland Park</a>&nbsp;11%. Also,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/what-works/">research</a>&nbsp;shows women police are less apt to use excessive force, perceived as more honest and compassionate, named in fewer complaints/lawsuits and hold strong&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">communication skills</a>&nbsp;- an advantage for a job considered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">90 percent social work</a>&nbsp;today.Nationally, 14% of sworn officers are female. Kansas is only 12% with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://policedata.org/report/ks">use of force incidents climbing</a>.

Two jurisdictions with falling use of force incidents include Junction City and Leavenworth. Curiously, they have two of the highest female officer rates at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/stats_law.shtml">27%</a>&nbsp;after hitting single digits in 2003. By contrast, the Kansas Highway Patrol added just three female officers since 2003 and currently sit at 6%.Moving towards a 30% female recruit goal aligns with a representative bureaucracy ideal where credibility, fairness, trust, and performance are heightened as civil servant composition reflects the population composition they serve.&nbsp;Will our consent be more about climbing 5-foot walls or breaking glass walls?For the police are us. And we are the police.&nbsp;

Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.

Bill Fiander, AICP Lecturer, Public Administration&nbsp;&nbsp;

On the morning of his federal trial this week for raping and terrorizing vulnerable Black women in the Kansas City, Kansas neighborhoods he patrolled for 35 years, ex-cop Roger Golubski&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/02/us/kansas-detective-roger-golubski-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU4.IynZ.E1v2SUhHPHiE&amp;smid=url-share">fatally shot himself</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;His&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/overlooked">story</a>, much like last year’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2024/08/13/nx-s1-5073947/kansas-marion-county-record-newspaper-raid-police-chief-charged">Marion police newsroom raid</a>, is another national black eye for law enforcement in Kansas abusing the public’s trust. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel coined the phrase “policing by consent” with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/policing-by-consent/definition-of-policing-by-consent">nine principles</a>&nbsp;for democratic policing while establishing London’s first police force. In a nutshell, we consent to the idea of trusting some members of the community to exercise powers required to keep the peace on behalf of the community. In return, we willingly pledge our cooperation. Police do not serve the state like an occupying army. They serve the people.&nbsp;This philosophy is foundational in most American police academies. At its core are accountability, transparency, and social ties. When these break, we break.&nbsp;Years of racial disparities for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/graphs.aspx">wrongful convictions</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/one-in-five-ending-racial-inequity-in-incarceration/">incarcerations</a>,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/696355#:~:text=In%20the%20century%20since%20the,2015;%20Reppetto%2C%202012).">excessive force</a>, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123070/police-shootings-rate-ethnicity-us/">lethal shootings</a>&nbsp;culminated in the fateful spring of 2020 when George Floyd became a tragic household name. Anti-police riots spawned a “back the blue” counter movement.&nbsp;People on both sides did not consent to what they were seeing.As a result, many bipartisan reforms took place from DC to statehouses and city halls to regain the consent of the public – bans on neck restraints and no-knock warrants, body-cam proliferation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4003">de-escalation training</a>, critical response teams with mental health professionals,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.akronohio.gov/government/boards_and_commissions/citizens_police_oversight_board.php">civilian oversight boards</a>, and ramped-up community policing.&nbsp;None of these have necessarily proven to be blanket panaceas. Amidst local success stories,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2022/fatal-police-shootings-unreported/?itid=lk_inline_enhanced-template">fatal police shootings</a>&nbsp;have risen along with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://mappingpoliceviolence.org/?utm_campaign=launch&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ad&amp;utm_term=mapping%20police%20violence&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAoiCFvckTQymuYnbmzZFMlEI3YElA&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA0rW6BhAcEiwAQH28Ik5TnM_C-tX1_YaXZGpGDGqPLEubcB34Uev_gPl1wxtIGpghE-5nTRoCIMAQAvD_BwE">police killings</a>.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/study-of-fatal-and-nonfatal-shootings-by-police-reveals-racial-disparities-dispatch-risks">Better data</a>&nbsp;on police incidents are shared but lack enough standardization to drive dependable policy making. Meanwhile, another proven reform – women in policing – careens into politically charged climates because of DEI implications and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/military-women-defense-hegseth-combat-916d50a7b465ccfea1aeb13bb91064b3">questioning women in combat</a>.&nbsp;Part of the debate revolves around the national&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/">30X30</a>&nbsp;initiative. 30X30 has sparked awareness on the benefits of women in policing with a goal of increasing representation from 20% to 30% for recruits by 2030. Wichita, Overland Park, and Salina have joined over 200 localities in taking this pledge. However, Topeka’s incoming police chief recently endorsed 30X30 amidst&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/14/topeka-police-chief-finalist-wants-more-female-officers-gop-objects/76220824007/">GOP pushback on quotas for women</a>.Given policing’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.theiacp.org/sites/default/files/239416_IACP_RecruitmentBR_HR_0.pdf">staffing crisis</a>, local leaders would be remiss not to make a bigger play for half of the state’s population. After 2020,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://klcjournal.com/wichitas-police-shortage/">Wichita</a>&nbsp;was 14% below authorized full-strength,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2022/10/18/police-chief-union-disagree-on-whether-topeka-police-staffing-crisis/69569929007/">Topeka</a>&nbsp;13%, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://johnsoncountypost.com/2022/03/15/police-vacancies-142647/">Overland Park</a>&nbsp;11%. Also,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://30x30initiative.org/what-works/">research</a>&nbsp;shows women police are less apt to use excessive force, perceived as more honest and compassionate, named in fewer complaints/lawsuits and hold strong&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">communication skills</a>&nbsp;- an advantage for a job considered&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.governing.com/magazine/a-nationwide-effort-to-put-more-women-on-the-force">90 percent social work</a>&nbsp;today.Nationally, 14% of sworn officers are female. Kansas is only 12% with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://policedata.org/report/ks">use of force incidents climbing</a>. Two jurisdictions with falling use of force incidents include Junction City and Leavenworth. Curiously, they have two of the highest female officer rates at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansas.gov/kbi/stats/stats_law.shtml">27%</a>&nbsp;after hitting single digits in 2003. By contrast, the Kansas Highway Patrol added just three female officers since 2003 and currently sit at 6%.Moving towards a 30% female recruit goal aligns with a representative bureaucracy ideal where credibility, fairness, trust, and performance are heightened as civil servant composition reflects the population composition they serve.&nbsp;Will our consent be more about climbing 5-foot walls or breaking glass walls?For the police are us. And we are the police.&nbsp;Bill Fiander is a lecturer at Washburn University specializing in public administration, urban planning, and state/local government. He is the former planning and development director for the City of Topeka.Bill Fiander, AICP Lecturer, Public Administration&nbsp;&nbsp;Department of Political Science

Breaking the Glass Wall: Women in Policing

HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Chancellor Copenhaver, 33, died Wednesday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Copenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Copenhaver was serving a 121-month sentence for convictions of attempted second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and stalking in Riley County, Kansas.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733343953732.png" alt="Copenhaver-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Copenhaver-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, KAN. –&nbsp;Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Chancellor Copenhaver, 33, died Wednesday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Copenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell Wednesday morning. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Copenhaver was serving a 121-month sentence for convictions of attempted second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and stalking in Riley County, Kansas.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

Inmate serving time for crimes in Riley Co. found dead in his cell

The recent Festival of Lights served as one of the kickoffs to the holiday season in Manhattan.

The Festival of Lights was held at the Blue Earth Plaza in downtown manhattan.

The recent Festival of Lights served as one of the kickoffs to the holiday season in Manhattan.<figure>
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733360418380.jpeg" alt=" " />
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 </figure>The Festival of Lights was held at the Blue Earth Plaza in downtown manhattan.

Festival of Lights are a holiday highlight

RILEY COUNTY—A man was injured in an accidental shooting in Manhattan.

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of discharging a firearm in the 2500 Block of Farm Bureau Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 19-year-old man shot himself in the foot.&nbsp; He was transported to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RILEY COUNTY—A man was injured in an accidental shooting in Manhattan.Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, officers filed a report of discharging a firearm in the 2500 Block of Farm Bureau Road, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 19-year-old man shot himself in the foot.&nbsp; He was transported to Via Christi for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; The RCPD released no additional details.

RCPD: Man hospitalized after accidental shooting

RILEY COUNTY —Police recovered a vehicle stolen on Tuesday in Manhattan.

Just before 2:30p.m. Tuesday, a 23-year-old man reported his Mazda 6 was stolen during the morning hours from the 3300 block of Musil Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;Just after 11:30p.m. the vehicle was recovered.

RILEY COUNTY —Police recovered a vehicle stolen on Tuesday in Manhattan.Just before 2:30p.m. Tuesday, a 23-year-old man reported his Mazda 6 was stolen during the morning hours from the 3300 block of Musil Drive, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;Just after 11:30p.m. the vehicle was recovered.

RCPD: Car stolen in Manhattan recovered

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
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Riley County Arrest Report December 4

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dillons is celebrating the 12 Merry Days of Deals event. From December 4 through December 15, customers can clip a new hot digital deal each day for redemption by December 17. 

“12 Merry Days of deals are just days away and we can’t wait to surprise customers each day with a new way to save big this holiday season,” said Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager at Dillons. “We hope customers have fun discovering daily offers to help them save during the busiest time of the year.”

During 12 Merry Days, Dillons is revealing a hot new deal every day. Each daily offer will be available to clip for one day only at <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app and can be redeemed through December 17. Offers may be redeemed up to five times each in a single transaction.

Customers can look forward to a surprise deal every Merry Day from December 4 through December 15 on products across the store, including items such as goods for holiday hosting, seasonal merchandise, fresh and more! Check back each day for a hot deal.

Visit the Dillons app or website each day from December 4-15.

Clip the featured digital coupon each day; only one coupon will be available each day for 12 days to download.

In store, customers must enter their Rewards Card number at checkout to ensure the deal is applied to their purchase.

Redeem all participating digital coupons by December 17.

Deals can be redeemed in-store or through Dillons Pickup and Delivery, offering the same products at the same low prices no matter how customers shop.  

In addition to 12 Merry Days of savings, customers can also look forward to a Dashing Deal for the holidays in celebration of National Cookie Day. Now through December 10, customers can receive free Bakery Fresh Hot Cocoa Cookies (2 count) with the purchase of any 12 count Bakery Fresh Cookies with their loyalty card. No coupon required, offer valid with loyalty card through December 10.

For everyday savings, visit <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app, offering more than $600 in savings available weekly in digital coupons. With more than 30,000 mouthwatering possibilities, customers are a swipe away from inspiration to reality. Dillons is worth it every time.

Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® eligible cardmembers may now redeem a free one-year, next-day Boost membership or cardholders who are current annual Boost members may receive a free one-year extension of their next-day Boost membership. To learn more and redeem this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® cardmember offer visit the Boost Membership Benefits page.  

The creditor and issuer of the Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.

<figure>
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 </figure>DillonsHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dillons is celebrating the 12 Merry Days of Deals event. From December 4 through December 15, customers can clip a new hot digital deal each day for redemption by December 17. “12 Merry Days of deals are just days away and we can’t wait to surprise customers each day with a new way to save big this holiday season,” said Sheila Regehr, corporate affairs manager at Dillons. “We hope customers have fun discovering daily offers to help them save during the busiest time of the year.”During 12 Merry Days, Dillons is revealing a hot new deal every day. Each daily offer will be available to clip for one day only at <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app and can be redeemed through December 17. Offers may be redeemed up to five times each in a single transaction.Customers can look forward to a surprise deal every Merry Day from December 4 through December 15 on products across the store, including items such as goods for holiday hosting, seasonal merchandise, fresh and more! Check back each day for a hot deal.How to participate: Visit the Dillons app or website each day from December 4-15.Log into digital account.Clip the featured digital coupon each day; only one coupon will be available each day for 12 days to download.In store, customers must enter their Rewards Card number at checkout to ensure the deal is applied to their purchase.Redeem all participating digital coupons by December 17.Deals can be redeemed in-store or through Dillons Pickup and Delivery, offering the same products at the same low prices no matter how customers shop. In addition to 12 Merry Days of savings, customers can also look forward to a Dashing Deal for the holidays in celebration of National Cookie Day. Now through December 10, customers can receive free Bakery Fresh Hot Cocoa Cookies (2 count) with the purchase of any 12 count Bakery Fresh Cookies with their loyalty card. No coupon required, offer valid with loyalty card through December 10.For everyday savings, visit <a href="http://dillons.com">dillons.com</a> or the Dillons app, offering more than $600 in savings available weekly in digital coupons. With more than 30,000 mouthwatering possibilities, customers are a swipe away from inspiration to reality. Dillons is worth it every time.Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® eligible cardmembers may now redeem a free one-year, next-day Boost membership or cardholders who are current annual Boost members may receive a free one-year extension of their next-day Boost membership. To learn more and redeem this Kroger Rewards World Elite Mastercard® cardmember offer visit the Boost Membership Benefits page. The creditor and issuer of the Kroger Family of Companies Rewards World Elite Mastercard® is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated.

Special Dillons digital event starts Wednesday

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Eisenhower Presidential Library will offer a series of mini-teacher workshops to area educators. The first of these two-hour workshops will take place on January 15 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library&nbsp;building at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene.&nbsp;This event is free for teachers and they will receive a&nbsp;professional development&nbsp;certificate of attendance.&nbsp;A grab and go snack will also be provided.

This is the first in a series of four workshops offered in 2025. Registration is required and can be completed on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mzSVubiC7ZOulu0oXyhz_UyuxsDwpkn8CbxUTZBCXiTIy8V-C-jv_UIIQ6g9u1Z9La65LHpMVeb5-o382FRNDWVujLv7jXb56zLG2uanJsMc6ksVu8oX18YNS2JFQGT9AUBDxF6NUoScji9Xm2kfL0tH1gRQTFXz05lS8KUyuYpwsarbKYgFNyY=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">Ike's Professional Learning Community</a>&nbsp;webpage.&nbsp;Full program details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mxfUyEcpnJnf_ajGZDU8y-EoSO0D7vWlaPg7ZqKok-ELouUxq0q2oXYU6Ou-2eclbQNwMOrD8I0Pe3Ru2Cj14PVvxUV6D8mSZ-4g3_gQoQQll-JZ9JwVngM=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.

Abilene, Kan.&nbsp;-&nbsp;The Eisenhower Presidential Library will offer a series of mini-teacher workshops to area educators. The first of these two-hour workshops will take place on January 15 at the Eisenhower Presidential Library&nbsp;building at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene.&nbsp;This event is free for teachers and they will receive a&nbsp;professional development&nbsp;certificate of attendance.&nbsp;A grab and go snack will also be provided.This is the first in a series of four workshops offered in 2025. Registration is required and can be completed on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mzSVubiC7ZOulu0oXyhz_UyuxsDwpkn8CbxUTZBCXiTIy8V-C-jv_UIIQ6g9u1Z9La65LHpMVeb5-o382FRNDWVujLv7jXb56zLG2uanJsMc6ksVu8oX18YNS2JFQGT9AUBDxF6NUoScji9Xm2kfL0tH1gRQTFXz05lS8KUyuYpwsarbKYgFNyY=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">Ike's Professional Learning Community</a>&nbsp;webpage.&nbsp;Full program details can be found at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://hcmbltcab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XtqLdrb4Ei6MJrswi576oA3B832SDV7ZTRNpcHi76IGIWjCyNiX4mxfUyEcpnJnf_ajGZDU8y-EoSO0D7vWlaPg7ZqKok-ELouUxq0q2oXYU6Ou-2eclbQNwMOrD8I0Pe3Ru2Cj14PVvxUV6D8mSZ-4g3_gQoQQll-JZ9JwVngM=&amp;c=JUFKVHtdUbitpOBhONTRkBy2IfQ1b7f3OFwtOQeWqA1dwsDbD19LoQ==&amp;ch=3JJJhQRu1YrdRPqGFKOHFDsiABo5jLH3XwpRuKc-p_8KnX-M31cSrA==">eisenhowerlibrary.gov</a>.

Mini-teacher workshops are scheduled at the Eisenhower Presidential Library

Riley County police will support Tip-A-Cop benefitting Special Olympics Kansas. They will be at Texas Roadhouse from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th. All donations will go to help the 4,200 Special Olympics Kansas athletes during their upcoming sports season.

Riley County police will support Tip-A-Cop benefitting Special Olympics Kansas. They will be at Texas Roadhouse from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4th. All donations will go to help the 4,200 Special Olympics Kansas athletes during their upcoming sports season.

RCPD will participate in Tip-A-Cop

Kansas City—The holiday season is here with festive lights and decorations. As families get ready to decorate,&nbsp;Evergy reminds customers to be safe with both indoor and outdoor holiday lights.

For more safety tips this holiday season, visit evergy.com/holidaysafety.&nbsp;

Kansas City—The holiday season is here with festive lights and decorations. As families get ready to decorate,&nbsp;Evergy reminds customers to be safe with both indoor and outdoor holiday lights.<ul>
 <li>Inspect electrical decorations for damage:&nbsp;Discard decorations that are cracked or have damaged sockets or loose or bare wires.</li><li>Make sure holiday lights and decorations are properly rated for indoor or outdoor use:&nbsp;Only use indoor lights inside your home and outdoor lights outside. Not all lights are built to handle winter weather.</li><li>Don’t connect more than three strings of lights:&nbsp;This could blow a fuse and start a fire.</li><li>Look for certification labels: Decorations should have labels from independent testing laboratories such as&nbsp;Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or Intertek (ETL). If they don’t, they haven’t been tested for safety and could be a fire hazard.</li><li>Don’t overload outlets:&nbsp;Overloaded outlets are a common cause of fires. Only plug one power strip or one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time.</li><li>Water your real tree daily:&nbsp;Dry trees are a serious fire hazard.</li><li>Use battery-operated candles:&nbsp;Almost half of all decoration fires are started by candles. Unattended candles are the cause of one in five home candle fires.</li><li>Protect your electrical cords from damage:&nbsp;Don’t pinch them through doorways, windows or under furniture. Don’t place them under rugs or near heat sources.</li><li>When you go to sleep, so should your decorations:&nbsp;Turn off, unplug,&nbsp;and extinguish all decorations when they aren’t attended. &nbsp;Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.</li>
 </ul>For more safety tips this holiday season, visit evergy.com/holidaysafety.&nbsp;

Evergy offers holiday lights and decoration tips

The following is a summary of arrests, citations by the Riley County Police Department. Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
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Riley County Arrest Report December 3

Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) personnel assisted 893 motorists over the holiday reporting period

The reporting period for the holiday ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI-related crash involving one non-DUI-related fatality over the holiday reporting period. The fatal crash occurred in Nemaha County. Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>.

Information in the table is compared to the data from both 2022 and 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562779124931.png" alt="Kansas highway patrol" />
 <figcaption>Kansas highway patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedKansas Highway Patrol (KHP) personnel assisted 893 motorists over the holiday reporting periodThe reporting period for the holiday ran from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024.The Kansas Highway Patrol worked one fatal non-DUI-related crash involving one non-DUI-related fatality over the holiday reporting period. The fatal crash occurred in Nemaha County. Preliminary crash log information can be found here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do">https://www.kansas.gov/khp-crashlogs/search.do</a>.Information in the table is compared to the data from both 2022 and 2023.<figure>
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KHP Thanksgiving Holiday Activity Report

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Fort Riley will be held Thursday evening at Ware Parade Field, 500 Huebner Road. It wi ll begin at 5:30 p.m.

The annual tree lighting ceremony at Fort Riley will be held Thursday evening at Ware Parade Field, 500 Huebner Road. It wi ll begin at 5:30 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733190741987.jpeg" alt="( Photo - Fort Riley )" />
 <figcaption>( Photo - Fort Riley )</figcaption>
 </figure>

Tree Lighting Ceremony set for Fort Riley

According to a post on the Riley County police Facebook page five puppies were found abandoned in a box in a&nbsp; Popeyes restaurant parking lot in Manhattan Sunday night.

The puppies will be held at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prairiepawsmhk?__cft__[0]=AZWpHutdivkLT8v7gUjpc_WpCbrS6nFph-wNMd4AAzMHpqDziJb6nvZFE6gdJKIkR87Co4Ghro-UVBKa0VwhkkVink_-fhe_nsKkGuyFqpmkzfx82bGXAIvhPCUnTEUUv8aPurXciFNYOf9Cnpta8VW3Dv8229GzrjvFyltj_rjy4yMVYJqLL_hFNbOetf9j13vnpEVSAgAo2fOTFZJ_X8_uo-gUe_vhvwZD0HnX87GaMA&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Prairie Paws Animal Shelter - Manhattan KS</a> for their mandatory 72-hour stray hold. After this period, they will go directly into a foster home and will not be available for adoption at this time. They are currently classified as strays, and an investigation is ongoing. If you have any questions about fostering or adopting please contact Prairie Paws.

&nbsp;With the temperatures dropping low Sunday night, the puppies may not have made it but someone found them and kept them safe until Monday morning. Authorities are seeking information that the public may have regarding the pups.&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733175179770.jpeg" alt="( Photo - City of Manhattan Animal Control )" />
 <figcaption>( Photo - City of Manhattan Animal Control )</figcaption>
 </figure>According to a post on the Riley County police Facebook page five puppies were found abandoned in a box in a&nbsp; Popeyes restaurant parking lot in Manhattan Sunday night.The puppies will be held at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prairiepawsmhk?__cft__[0]=AZWpHutdivkLT8v7gUjpc_WpCbrS6nFph-wNMd4AAzMHpqDziJb6nvZFE6gdJKIkR87Co4Ghro-UVBKa0VwhkkVink_-fhe_nsKkGuyFqpmkzfx82bGXAIvhPCUnTEUUv8aPurXciFNYOf9Cnpta8VW3Dv8229GzrjvFyltj_rjy4yMVYJqLL_hFNbOetf9j13vnpEVSAgAo2fOTFZJ_X8_uo-gUe_vhvwZD0HnX87GaMA&amp;__tn__=-]K-y-R">Prairie Paws Animal Shelter - Manhattan KS</a> for their mandatory 72-hour stray hold. After this period, they will go directly into a foster home and will not be available for adoption at this time. They are currently classified as strays, and an investigation is ongoing. If you have any questions about fostering or adopting please contact Prairie Paws.&nbsp;With the temperatures dropping low Sunday night, the puppies may not have made it but someone found them and kept them safe until Monday morning. Authorities are seeking information that the public may have regarding the pups.&nbsp;

Abandoned puppies are found 

After a productive ten years, Joe and Sheila Markley have announced their retirement as co-directors of the Junction City Opera House, effective January 31, 2025.

The Opera House Board diligently searched for a new director and is delighted to announce that a new Director has been selected. Mary Ellen (Ellie) Dillon, a longtime resident of Junction City, will bring immense expertise in all functions of theater work and her experience working with the public sector in her current position with the USD475 school district.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733167727547.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Opera House release -After a productive ten years, Joe and Sheila Markley have announced their retirement as co-directors of the Junction City Opera House, effective January 31, 2025.The Opera House Board diligently searched for a new director and is delighted to announce that a new Director has been selected. Mary Ellen (Ellie) Dillon, a longtime resident of Junction City, will bring immense expertise in all functions of theater work and her experience working with the public sector in her current position with the USD475 school district.

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