Editor’s note: This is a continuing story.

By Beth Day, Times of Pottawatomie County

Wamego, April 20, 2026 — A standoff has closed a section of Wamego in the 600 block of Ash Street as law enforcement officials are attempting to remove a suspect wanted in Riley Co.

Wamego Police Chief Dale Burton said that they were looking for Beningo Aquino, Jr., who has a Riley County no-bond warrant for possession of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and criminal use of a weapons. Riley County also has an $8,000 warrant on Aquino for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

“We had intel that he was at 613 Ash St.,” Burton said. “We tried to make contact with him multiple times this week and he ran from us, so we called in the Marshal Service to help us out. The Kansas Highway Patrol High Risk team (also) showed up to assist.”

The incident began about 1 p.m. this afternoon. Over the course of several hours, the Marshals periodically sounded sirens and informed the suspect that they had a felony warrant, he was under arrest, and that they knew he was in the house. The announcement ordered him to come out, and as of 6 p.m., he had not. The Kansas Highway patrol then brought in a tactical vehicle.

Approximately 30 law enforcement officials from around the state are present in Wamego including the Wamego Police Department, Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, Riley County Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, and U.S. Marshals Service, along with Pottawatomie County EMS.

The incident caused USD 320 to do a “controlled release” of its students. The district sent out a message about 3:10 p.m., noting “Please be aware of a police presence near the Methodist Church on Lincoln. Student dismissal from all buildings will be a controlled release.”

The message went on to add the buses would be running normally, including the shuttle bus and that parents picking up students were requested to follow the instructions of the school staff.

Additionally, the Methodist church announced that all meetings and groups were postponed tonight. “We ask everyone to avoid the church this evening so first responders can address the situation appropriately,” wrote Rev. Alex Rossow, in a email.

Read more at The Times of Pottawatomie County. This is a developing story.

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By Belle Zarate

The Wamego Tulip Festival returns this weekend, bringing expanded events, live entertainment and nearly 300 vendors to one of northeast Kansas’ largest spring celebrations.

The Wamego Chamber of Commerce’s tourism and events coordinator, Corey Reeves, said the festival saw significant growth in recent years and now offers something for visitors of all ages.

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A water line break Wednesday afternoon has led to Wamego city officials issuing a boil water advisory for part of the city, primarily affecting residents north of Highway 24.

The notice came late in the afternoon, but city officials said a short time later the issue had been resolved, and water service was restored. The boil advisory remains in place until further notice.

USD 320 said the advisory is only affecting Wamego Middle School, which will remain in session on Thursday on a normal schedule. Bottled water will be available for students at breakfast, lunch, and throughout the day. Families are also encouraged to send a water bottle with their student as drinking fountains will be turned off and unavailable for use.

WMS kitchen staff will use boiled or bottled water as needed.  School officials said the kitchen is not directly affected by the advisory.

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A biomanufacturing company focused on cattle health solutions is relocating its global headquarters from Fort Collins, Colorado, to Wamego.

Axiota Animal Health announced Tuesday that the company’s decision formalizes a longstanding presence in Wamego, where it operates manufacturing, research and development and scientific operations for products used by cattle producers in more than 30 countries worldwide.

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By Emily Willi

Wamego will soon be home to the world’s largest Toto.

The Wamego Chamber of Commerce was awarded an attraction and development grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce and Tourism to construct a 15-foot tall Toto statue modeled after illustrations from the original “The Wizard of OZ” book by L. Frank Baum. This allows the community to avoid any potential legal battles with MGM, which produced the classic 1939 film.

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A Manhattan man found himself back in custody Friday, less than three days after being arrested for a slew of drug charges. It’s his third drug-related arrest since Dec. 30.

Scott Marchand, 48, was arrested at 11:17 a.m. near the area of U.S. Highway 24 and Southport Drive after a traffic stop by the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. A search of his Toyota Tacoma located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant for probation violation.

Marchand was transported to the Pottawatomie County Jail on a $500,000 bond for the probation violation, as well as one count of possession of a stimulant (one prior conviction) and possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in custody as of Friday night.

Following Marchand’s arrest, the Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for a room at the Simmer Motel, 1215 East Highway 24 in Wamego. The Sheriff’s Office in cooperation with the Riley County Police Department, seized from the room drug paraphernalia and a container of an unknown substance that was being sent off for further testing. Additional charges against Marchand are pending.

As previously reported by The Mercury, Marchand was also arrested Tuesday at the Riley County Courthouse for charges of use/possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia, possession of an illegal substance, distribution or possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin/fentanyl within 1,000 feet of school property, distribution or possession with intent to distribute between 3.5 and 100 grams of heroin/fentanyl within 1,000 feet of school property, distribution or possession with intent to distribute between 3.5 and 100 grams of a certain stimulant within 1,000 feet of school property, distribution or possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

In the case he was scheduled to appear for, Marchand is charged with nine counts of similar drug offenses. He was arrested Dec. 30 and released Jan. 2 on a $150,000 bond.

In a motion filed with the court Wednesday morning, assistant Riley County attorney John Griffin made a request to have Marchand’s bond revoked in the original case. In his motion, Griffin says Marchand was in possession Tuesday of 108 grams of fentanyl, 4.3 grams of methamphetamine, 7.1 grams of heroin, heroin loaded syringes and marijuana.

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The city of Wamego has been awarded a moderate income housing grant totaling nearly $468,000 from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for new housing development.

The funds will support construction of 24 multifamily rental units as part of an expansion to the North Ridge apartments on the city’s west side.

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The City of Wamego is looking for a new chief of police.

City officials announced late Friday afternoon that Paul Schliffke, who was promoted to lead the Wamego Police Department in July 2022, is retiring at the end of the year. Schliffke has spent 12 years with the department, including nine years as deputy police chief, prior to his promotion. He also previously served in the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Lottery in a law enforcement capacity.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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By Beth Day

The USD 320 Board of Education Monday night unanimously accepted the resignation of Wamego High School Principal Julie Schrum.

The resignation came as part of the personnel report handled with routine multiple consent agenda items at the regular board meeting and not acted upon separately.

Schrum was hired by the board four years ago to begin with the 2021-2022 school year.

To view the full story visit pottcotimes.com

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