Wildcat Creek Road was reopened on Monday.
Public works director Leon Hobson said there were a few minor problems when the road was inspected last week but it should be safe to commute on.
“There were (about) three panels that had cracks in them, just slight cracks,” Hobson said. “We agreed with the contractor to wait until next year (to fix them). If others develop they can replace them all at one time.”
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An increased police presence in downtown Manhattan is commonplace during the holiday season, but Riley County Police Captain Tim Hegarty would like to see officers become fixtures in the area.
“The town and the area along 4th St. has developed enough that we would love to put a permanent foot patrol down here,” Hegarty said. “We would need a few more people in order to do that.”
In Hegarty’s mind, the solution would mean the construction of a new facility.
“We would love to have a substation down here, some place very visible,” Hegarty said. “We approached the law board about this a couple of years ago and at that time there wasn’t any interest in spending any kind of money.
“The only free office space available was in this building (Riley County Courthouse Plaza East) on the upper floors, but that is hardly what we are looking for.”
The Riley County commission did not render a decision regarding the substation during Monday’s meeting.
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First-half personal property taxes for Riley County citizens are due Tuesday.
“We accept cash, check, and credit cards,” Eileen King, Riley County treasurer, said. “There is a convenience fee for credit cards, though.”
Payments can also be submitted online by visiting rileycountyks.gov. (Direct link)
Additionally, King says those who don’t turn in their payment by the end of today should expect to pay in full the following day.
“The interest rate is 7 percent annually, which we calculate on a daily basis,” King said. “So if you’re one day late, it’s usually only pennies.”
Should the offices be closed Tuesday due to inclemate weather, all potential penalties would be waived as long as the taxes are paid the day the treasurer’s office reopens.
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With so many people traveling and transporting expensive gifts during the holidays, it should come as no surprise that criminal activity tends to increase during the month of December.
Riley County Police Captain Tim Hegarty says avoiding car burglaries requires only a few simple precautions.
“The key to stopping a vehicle burglary is taking your stuff out of your car and locking it,” Hegarty said.
According to Hegarty, nine vehicle burglaries have been reported since the start of the month. A trend has developed as far as when the thefts occur.
“As far as residential burglaries are concerned, that’s generally a daytime thing,” Hegarty said. “Vehicle burglaries happen at night, residential generally day.”
If you do plan to travel during the holidays, Hegarty suggests that you contact your neighbors to inform that your are leaving and to report any suspicious activity seen around your home.
