Kansas

Speed limit to drop on Kansas Avenue east of Riley – News Radio KMAN

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2024

Press Room

Speed limit to drop on Kansas Avenue east of Riley – News Radio KMAN

Story by Emma Loura / The Manhattan Mercury:

Drivers heading into Riley from the east will need to start hitting the brakes a bit sooner.

The Riley County commission on Monday approved a request to lower the speed limit on Kansas Avenue east of Riley from 45 mph to 30 mph and place a flashing light there to alert drivers to slow down.

The decrease will affect the stretch of Kansas Avenue between the town’s eastern limit to a spot 500 feet east of Pheasant Ridge Road. That portion is a relatively straight, flat two-lane paved road with narrow shoulders.

The request came after the county conducted a speed study in the area and determined that the average driver hit the Riley east city limit at an average speed of 34 mph. County documents say the 85th percentile speed — at which speed limits are normally set — at the east city limit is 39 mph but that in this case, officials should consider the residential areas along Kansas Avenue, which increase the number of cars, pedestrians and bikers there.

Riley County Grade School and Riley East Park are within walking distance, and a neighbor reported to those doing the study that they had seen pedestrians walking along the road to and from the school and park.

County public works director John Ellermann, who made the pitch to commissioners, said the flashing yellow light will help indicate the speed-limit change to drivers.

“I’d like to suggest we put up a flashing light on these signs,” Ellermann said, “That way it draws attention to that sign, and it’s a big sign to make drivers aware that they need to slow down.”

Ellermann said the solar-powered light would cost about $2,500 including installation. Putting up and relocating speed-limit signs would cost less than $500.

He said the solar-powered light would cost about $2,500 including installation. Putting up and relocating speed-limit signs would cost less than $500.

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Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

15 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

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