The Riley County Commission signed off on a search for a position in the county attorney’s office during Thursday’s meeting. Commissioners also heard updates on legal prosecutions, the handling of records and technology maintenance. Riley County attorney Barry Wilkerson asked commissioners to approve filling an assistant county attorney position occupied by David Lowden, who joined the office in 2019. Lowden plans to leave Nov. 30 to become a judge in Sedgwick County. Commissioners unanimously approved the request. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Author: Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez
County clerk Rich Vargo told Riley County commissioners during their Monday meeting that the county saw 1,180 advance voters as of Friday. That number included the first two-and-a-half days of advance voting. More than 300 people voted during a half-day Friday, Vargo said. The county will extend voting hours to accommodate expected demand. The ballot includes a constitutional amendment, a sales tax question and several statewide races on the ballot. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Fort Riley is entering a busy period as soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade begin deploying, while the post prepares for leadership changes, Veterans Day activities and the Army’s 250th anniversary. Christian Bishop, director of military relations for the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, provided an update to Riley County commissioners on Thursday, saying deployment is underway. The deployment is expected to continue through the coming months, with the first redeployments anticipated to begin in December. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a new agreement formalizing how the county will maintain roads for townships Thursday. Public works director John Ellerman said the county has provided maintenance for townships for years, but there has not been a clear written agreement outlining the work and associated costs. “We wanted to bring something to help formalize the process,” Ellerman said. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Riley County Board of Health approved a proposed remodel of the county health department Thursday on a 2-1 vote, with Commissioner John Ford voting against the measure. The project is planned to cost between $220,000 and $250,000 and would prepare space in the former council area for the health department as part of a broader effort to bring its programs together under one location. Ford questioned whether the county should move forward with the remodel before hiring permanent health department leadership. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County is moving forward with plans to reorganize its Health Department, with the goal of bringing services together rather than operating them as separate divisions. Elizabeth Ward, the county’s human resources director, told commissioners Wednesday that staff are working to create a more integrated system that allows residents to access multiple services in one location. “We have been doing a lot of work to try to get the staff and the systems to be integrated public health and not siloed separate services,” Ward said. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Riley County Commission approved moving forward with the 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant application with a 2-0 vote Thursday. Commissioner John Ford was absent. Mark French, corrections major with the Riley County Police Department, asked county officials to approve the application. RCPD plans to use the federal grant funding to upgrade technology at the Riley County Jail and purchase a camera for a future police substation. French said the department traditionally uses the annual grant for firearms and bulletproof vests, but changes to its firearm rotation allowed the department to seek funding for other equipment this year.…
A local fire district will get nearly $28,000 to help them fight wildfires. Riley County commissioners on Monday approved Riley County Fire District No. 1 accepting of a $27,815 Department of the Interior grant to purchase equipment for fighting grass and wildland fires with a 2-0 vote. Commissioner John Ford was absent. David Adams, Riley County emergency services director, told commissioners the grant will fund a skid unit that will be mounted on the back of a heavy-duty pickup. The unit includes a 400-gallon water tank, a high-pressure pump, hoses, hand tools and other firefighting equipment. To view the full…
The Riley County health department will discontinue its reaccreditation process as it undergoes a broader reorganization and works to direct staff time and resources toward public health services. The Riley County Commission voted unanimously Monday to discontinue the process after health department officials said completing reaccreditation would place additional demands on a department operating with several interim leadership positions. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County election officials announced they’re seeking additional poll workers ahead of the Nov. 3 general election as preparations for the election enter a “critical phase.” County clerk Rich Vargo said election work begins well before Election Day, with federal service ballots required to be transmitted by Sept. 19. The deadline applies to ballots for military and overseas voters under the federal service voting program. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.