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.…
Author: Arturo Mauricio-Gonzalez
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.
GRANDVIEW PLAZA — A lightning strike during severe thunderstorms Saturday evening sparked a fire at a 36-unit building at Geary Estates Apartments, displacing residents and prompting a multi-agency response. Grandview Plaza police and fire crews arrived at the apartment complex shortly before 6 p.m. after lightning struck the center portion of the building, Grandview Plaza police chief Korie Martin told The Mercury. Geary Estates Apartments is at 1215 Cannon View Lane in Grandview Plaza, near Fort Riley. The fire occurred as severe thunderstorms moved through the Junction City and Grandview Plaza area. The National Weather Service had issued severe thunderstorm…
WESTMORELAND — County planning officials on Thursday said they plan to make additional changes to proposed regulations for large-scale data centers after reviewing public comments from a recent hearing. Planning commissioners said they appreciated the detailed feedback from residents, particularly suggestions addressing decommissioning, site restoration, financial assurances, stormwater management, water use and annual compliance reporting. Chairman Judd McCormack said there were things in the comments that hadn’t been considered. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
The Riley County board of health unanimously approved several agreements for local programs Tuesday, including a childcare licensing contract that provides more than twice the funding initially anticipated. Brittany Phillips, budget and finance officer, said the county had budgeted about $50,000 for the childcare licensing agreement, but will now provide about $112,000 under the new contract. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Riley County 4-H judging teams brought home two state championships and a reserve championship from the Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes last month, marking the county’s first appearance on three statewide traveling trophies. Nine Riley County 4-H members competed Aug. 22-23 at K-State in livestock judging, meat judging, a livestock skillathon and quiz bowl. The competitors won state championships in livestock judging and the quiz bowl and finished as reserve champions in the skillathon. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.
Countywide sales tax collections were 8% higher in August than the same month last year, Riley County treasurer Shiloh Hager told commissioners on Monday, although collections were down 9% from July. Riley County ended August with total assets of $79.07 million. Investment income through August totaled $2.19 million, representing 78% of the $2.8 million budgeted for the year. Hager said the county was earning 4% on its checking account, while the highest certificate of deposit rate received in August was 4%. The county also reported $40,040 in interest income from its ARPA account to date. To view the full article…
The Riley County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between Riley County and Wichita State University to provide internship opportunities for emergency medical students with Riley County emergency services. Students would complete a background check and county orientation before beginning an internship. To view the full article visit theMercury.com.