Manhattan local news summary

National Guard member indicted for alleged Fort Riley espionage attempt

Health department prepares for potential WIC shutdown

Community corrections to launch app for juvenile supervision

County attorney to host public conference on addiction

Advanced voting underway for Nov. 4 election

National Guard member indicted for alleged Fort Riley espionage attempt

FORT RILEY, Kan. — Federal authorities arrested a Kansas National Guard member on Monday after he allegedly agreed to photograph military installations at Fort Riley and export sensitive equipment to Russia on behalf of what he believed was a Russian intelligence agent. Canyon A. Amarys, 28, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was taken into custody Oct. 28 and charged with attempted violation of the Export Control Reform Act. According to court documents, Amarys met with an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a Russian intelligence agent in February 2025 and signed a written agreement confirming a covert relationship with Russian intelligence services. As part of that agreement, he pledged to photograph a military installation at Fort Riley containing sensitive military technology and to obtain a helicopter radio for use by the Russian military. In March, Amarys purchased the helicopter radio and traveled to Kansas to retrieve it for export to a purported recipient in Romania, with the understanding it would be illegally diverted to Russia. Investigators executed a court-authorized search and recovered the radio before it could be shipped overseas. Amarys made his first appearance in federal court in the District of Kansas on Thursday. The FBI Kansas City field office is investigating the case with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, the Kansas National Guard, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Health department prepares for potential WIC shutdown

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Health Department is making contingency plans for a potential disruption to the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program if the federal government shutdown continues. Health officials reported Monday that while WIC benefits are currently funded, they are anticipating last-minute decisions on future allocations. The department has seen an increase in calls from residents also concerned about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which may not be issued on Nov. 1. Health officials are coordinating with community partners like the Flint Hills Breadbasket to secure potential funding for infant formula if the shutdown interrupts services.

Community corrections to launch app for juvenile supervision

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Community Corrections will implement a new smartphone application called RePath to help supervise juveniles on intensive supervision. Megan Lewis, speaking for the department, told commissioners Monday that the app, provided through a Kansas Department of Corrections-supported deployment/pilot, will serve as an alternative to detention. The application uses tracking, messaging and appointment reminders to help ensure compliance with court orders and curfews. The program has been approved by the chief judge and will become a standard condition of supervision for juveniles moving forward.

County attorney to host public conference on addiction

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A public conference focusing on mental illness and drug addiction will be held at the Manhattan Public Library on Nov. 6. The event, announced at Monday's commission meeting, will feature a visiting psychiatrist with a background in pharmacology. The conference is being organized with assistance from the County Attorney’s Office to help educate the community on the science behind addiction and recovery.

Advanced voting underway for Nov. 4 election

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Early in-person voting is now open for the upcoming election, Elections Manager Susan Boller reported Monday. As of the meeting, 796 residents had already cast their ballots, with 665 voting in person and 118 returning mail-in ballots. The Riley County Office Building at 110 Courthouse Plaza will be open for advanced voting through noon on Monday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open on Election Day, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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