2020 is a year most of us would probably prefer to forget about.
As we enter 2021, it seemed only fitting to put a wrap on the year that was and look back at some of the top stories we followed at the local level. The list was compiled based on engagements seen through our website, social media channels and impact to the community. Cramming 10 stories into a year filled with so much news wasn’t an easy task, but without further ado, here’s a look at some of the biggest news stories we saw in Manhattan. Each story is hyperlinked with the original article as it was posted.
KMAN 2020 Year in Review
No. 10 – Gators on the loose in Manhattan (June 11) By Nick McNamara
Only in 2020 would we have a story about alligators being found in Wildcat Creek.
For a brief time in June the public was advised to avoid Linear Trail and Wildcat Creek after two alligators were stolen from Reptile World. Public reports of seeing the gator in the water led to a social media frenzy including memes of the Manhattan flag changing from an apple to a gator.
The female gator, named Pebbles unfortunately died in June after a trap slipped under the water, which the owners believe was tampered with. The other gator Beauregard was returned safely to his tank a few weeks after the ordeal.
No. 9 – North Campus Corridor rebranded to “The Edge” (August 24) – By Brandon Peoples
A major redesign and widening of Kimball Ave. began this year as part of a city, university funded effort over the next decade and a half to improve the north campus corridor. In August, the university announced a re-branding of the effort to “The Edge Collaboration District at K-State.” K-State President Richard Myers spoke with KMAN earlier in the year about the roughly $2 billion of current and planned infrastructure investment in the district.
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Nearly 5,000 total jobs are expected to be housed in the district by 2035.
No. 8 – Aggieville developments continue to reshape historic district (December 11) – By Bill Bernard
The City saw major developments within Aggieville and downtown in 2020.
Among them is the new Marriott Hotel, under construction along Bluemont Ave. as well as street improvements along 12th Street. While both are major, perhaps the biggest groundbreaking of the year came in December when work began on a new $17.7 million parking garage at the corner of Manhattan Ave. and Laramie Street. Mayor Usha Reddi spoke at the groundbreaking.
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The project is slated to be completed by the end of 2021.
No. 7 – Downtown businesses receive new outdoor dining platforms (October 13) – By Derek Simmons
A number of businesses struggled through the first few months of the pandemic, uncertain how to re-shape their business models amid the COVID-19 pandemic. By the fall, the new $250,000 platforms were installed at several downtown bars and restaurants. It opened up new opportunities to businesses to pivot says Downtown Manhattan Executive Director Gina Scroggs.
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No. 6 – A very different looking election year; Focke, McKinley replace Rodriguez, Wells on Riley Co. Commission (November 16) – By Sam Hennigh
Just figuring out how an important election would occur in 2020 was one challenge, but local residents figured it out. Over 15,000 Riley County residents and more than 5,600 Pottawatomie County residents voted in advance, many of them by mail.
At the local level, Republicans Marvin Rodriguez and Ron Wells lost primary bids for re-election to Greg McKinley and challenger John Matta respectively. McKinley went on to defeat democratic challenger Fanny Fang in the general election, while Democrat Kathryn Focke, of Manhattan, defeated John Matta, in a race that on Election Night had her leading by only a single vote.
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Full election results can be found here: Election Day Results 2020
Number 5: RCPD investigates double homicide – (October 14) – By Brandon Peoples
Two men were found dead Oct. 9 at a Manhattan apartment complex in the Stagg Hill area.
Riley County Police arrested 19-year-old Montrell Vassar with two counts of second degree murder, later upgraded by the county attorney to first-degree murder. Vassar is charged in the killings of 19-year-old Skylar Havens and 23-year-old Javon Gray. A formal complaint alleges Vassar used a stolen handgun in the murders.
At a first appearance, Vassar claimed self-defense, something prosecutors dispute because an autopsy revealed both men were shot in the back.
Vassar remains jailed awaiting trial. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled Feb. 12.
Number 4: Bob Iacobellis bound over for trial – (June 16) – By Brandon Peoples
KMAN file photo
A former Manhattan restaurateur initially arrested in 2019 on 130 counts of sex-related crimes, was bound over in June on 26 charges, involving three victims.
The charges against Robert Iacobellis range from rape and aggravated criminal sodomy to aggravated indecent liberties. He pleaded not guilty at a July hearing. In December, Judge Kendra Lewison announced she’ll aim for a June 2021 trial, but set no specific date.
A Jan. 11 is set for further scheduling in the case.
Number 3: RCPD officers involved in fatal shooting during standoff, no charges filed (October 2) – By Brandon Peoples and Derek Simmons
Jarred Kemp was shot during an hours long standoff north of Manhattan Oct. 2. and died a day later from his injuries. (Courtesy photo)
Two Riley County police officers were placed on administrative leave following an Oct. 2 standoff north of Manhattan that resulted in the death of a former Fort Riley soldier, reportedly suffering from a mental crisis.
That soldier, Jarred Kemp died from his injuries following an hours long standoff where witnesses say he threatened a relative with a gun. After failed attempts to de-escalate the situation officers fired at Kemp when it became apparent other lives were in danger.
The Lawrence Police Department conducted a third party investigation into the matter and in December, Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson announced no charges would be filed against those officers.
Number 2: Chamber establishes small business assistance loan program (March, April) – By Brandon Peoples
Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce building (KMAN file photo)
The economic impact of COVID-19 was felt across the board by businesses and residents.
Riley County received nearly $15 million while Pottawatomie County received close to $5 million in federal CARES Act grants distributed to cover impacts caused by the pandemic. The Manhattan Chamber also helped establish a $500,000 small business assistance program to provide financial assistance in the form of short term loans at 0 percent interest.
In December, Chamber President Jason Smith highlighted the success of that program as well as other grants and programs.
Number 1: COVID-19 impacts every aspect of our daily lives – (March through December) – KMAN staff contributions
The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on everything we did in 2020.
The first case presented locally March 20, when K-State professor Andrew Smith tested positive for the novel coronavirus. It snowballed to over 5,000 positive cases in Riley and Pottawatomie counties, leading to 25 deaths by the end of the year. Schools shut down in person learning by order of the governor in March and pivoted almost immediately to remote learning, from K-12 to K-State, with hybrid learning taking place at USD 383 schools during the fall. Here’s an article from the very beginning when the district mandated a two week shutdown before schools were closed altogether: USD 383 announces mandatory two-week closure.
According to the KMAN sports department, there were no live sporting events for 133 consecutive days in 2020, with K-State baseball cancelled, K-State football limited to only 25 percent capacity and other events were either cancelled outright or shifted to virtual.
But perhaps the most controversial piece of the puzzle in 2020 was an ordinance requiring face masks be worn in public places, which the city adopted in August. City Commissioner Linda Morse.
Commissioner Mark Hatesohl never supported an ordinance, saying compliance is too hard to enforce.
Riley County in November chose not to opt out of the governor’s mask mandate, somewhat reluctantly while Pott County did opt out.
Everyone on the news team at News Radio KMAN hopes our listeners have a safe and happy 2021 and we’ll continue to be here to provide you the news coverage that matters to our community.
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