The Riley County board of canvassers unanimously certified the official results of the 2026 primary election Thursday after reviewing provisional ballots and election results from polling locations across the county. Residents case a total of 12,513 ballots. Riley County clerk Rich Vargo presented the 2026 primary election canvass report to the board, including the total number of ballots cast at each polling location. Clerk’s office staff members also reviewed provisional ballots and recommended which should be accepted, partially counted or rejected. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Author: Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez
Riley County commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved extending the contract for electronic health records software used by the health department as staff continue transitioning to a new system. Michael Hawthorne, assistant county counselor, presented an amendment extending the county’s agreement with Custom Data Processing Inc. (CDP) through Aug. 31. The health department has used the company’s EZ EMR software for electronic health records management since 2018. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the health department’s $27,500 grant application with Memorial Hospital Association. The grant funding would be used to support comprehensive prevention and education services. If the department receives the grant, the money would be allocated to five programs of the health department. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Riley County Police Department is arming two district court screeners as part of a security change designed to enhance courthouse safety while returning an officer to patrol duties. Maj. Daryl Asher told Riley County commissioners Monday the change follows a review of security measures at the Riley County District Court. The two court screeners will complete the same firearms and use-of-force training required of RCPD officers before carrying firearms. Asher said the move strengthens security at the courthouse entrance, where visitors pass through screening equipment, including X-ray machines. State law requires adequate security when concealed carry is prohibited in…
Riley County officials on Monday reviewed how the county should approach potential data center development as the technology becomes more common and communities across Kansas consider regulations. Planning director Amanda Webb updated commissioners during a work session sharing information from a recent data center planning summit in Topeka and examples of regulations being considered by other communities. Webb said the county is still in the information-gathering stage and is focused on understanding the potential impacts of data centers before considering any regulatory changes. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved lowering the speed limit on three roads in Ogden following a traffic study. Assistant public works director Ewan McMillan said Ogden Township requested the study last year for Roever Road, Ady Drive, and Daniel Avenue, located south of Eureka Drive. The county conducted an initial study and repeated it after a FedEx distribution center opened nearby. The roads are currently posted at 30 mph, the maximum speed allowed by state law for residential urban areas. McMillan recommended a 20 mph speed limit, citing the gravel road surface, reduced stopping distances, dust and the…
Riley County commissioners on Monday chose to not add the renewal of a 0.2% countywide retailers sales tax to the Election Day ballot. The tax generates about $2.5 million annually for road and bridge projects. The proposal intended to continue the county’s existing 0.2% retail sales tax, which is set to expire Dec. 31. “This is a continuation of the current sales tax,” assistant county counselor Michael Hawthorne told commissioners. “If approved by voters, it would become effective only after the existing sales tax expires at the end of 2027.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County’s juvenile intake saw an improvement in June, community corrections director Megan Lewis told county commissioners on Monday. Juvenile intake and assessment services for the month of June were 21 in total. “Nineteen were released to their parent or guardian, one was a relative and then one went to detention,” Lewis said. “You might recall that the month of May was a lot higher numbers for detention, so that was an improvement.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County commissioners on Monday unanimously approved replat requests for residential lots and farmland. One request allowed for the separation of an existing rural homestead from a larger agricultural tract. The request, presented on behalf of J and M Leasing, sought approval of a residential use designation for an “extraneous farmstead,” allowing an existing home and associated buildings to be partitioned from a larger 46-acre agricultural property. The proposed lot encompasses 9.8 acres and is about 2,000 feet east of the intersection of Tuttle Creek Boulevard and Marlatt Avenue, on the south side of Tuttle Creek Boulevard in Wildcat Township.…
Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a sweeping reorganization of the health department, adopting a plan designed to improve efficiency, streamline operations and reduce costs while preserving essential public health services. The approved restructuring reduces the department’s 2027 personnel budget from $5,032,412 in 2026 to $4,371,482 — a 13% cut. The move also lowers the county’s general fund contribution to the health department by 12.4% to $1,835,448. Authorized staffing will also decrease from 44 full-time equivalent positions to 37 FTEs. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.