EMS/Ambulance Director David Adams asked the Riley County Commission on Monday evening to makes some changes to a waterline running through the EMS station. The station was built on a concrete slab, so the water line must run through the ceiling. Adams explains the problem: The pipe needs to be wrapped in insulation to prevent freezing. The Commission motioned and approved the work in the amount of $2,567.61. The Commission was also updated on business in the City of Ogden at Monday evenings meeting. Ogden City Planner Angela Schnee gave an update on a recent grant application, and the reason…
Author: Bernie Fancella
Sunset Zoo hosted a very special event Sunday with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. A local 9-year-old girl, Aramayah Pevy, known to friends and family as MayMay, was informed she would be coming to the zoo for a costume party with her friends. She was then surprised to find she and her friends would get the opportunity to feed the zoo’s resident tortoise, the 14-15 year-old Tortuga. “She used to have a pet turtle before she started treatment. She unfortunately had to get rid of the turtle because of treatment. We were able to bring a little bit of that back to…
Sunset Zoo was filled with spooky festivities over the weekend. Sunset Zoo Marketing and Development Officer Melissa Kirkwood says the annual Spooktacular was another success, with over 24 community organizations on hand giving out candy and sharing information with kids and their families. Kirkwood gave a tentative update on the weekend’s numbers. Kirkwood says she didn’t want to reveal any secrets behind the scenes, but gave a look into some of the preparation that goes into an event like this. The event also featured a costume contest on Saturday and Sunday. A special evening for special needs and other special…
The Riley County Commission approved a contract to research a remodel for the fourth floor of Courthouse Plaza East. The project is to give more space to the County Clerk’s office as Election staff and equipment has created congestion in the Clerk’s Office. County Clerk Rich Vargo says there needs to be some work done on the building before they can move in. The contract is with McMillan and Associates. Vargo gave an update on Advance Voting. As of Friday 20, 166 people have voted in person. 759 ballots have been sent out by mail. November 7 is Election Day,…
Segments 1 and 2: Sunset Zoo Marketing and Development Officer Melissa Kirkwood recaps Spooktacular and previews what else is ahead for the zoo. News Radio KMAN · In Focus 10/23/23: Sunset Zoo (Segment 1) News Radio KMAN · In Focus 10/23/23: Sunset Zoo (Segment2) Segments 3 and 4: Flint Hills Discovery Center Events Supervisor Jonathan Mertz and Curator of Education Sally Dreher preview the upcoming holiday market and other holiday happenings as well as an evening with photographer Michael Forsberg. News Radio KMAN · In Focus 10/23/23: Flint Hills Discovery Center (Segment 3) News Radio KMAN · In Focus 10/23/23:…
The Board of Riley County Commissioners approved a request by County Clerk Rich Vargo to hire an architect to develop remodeling plans to expand office space for election staff. Vargo asked for the board to approve an architect to redesign the 4th floor of the Courthouse Plaza East (CPE) building to accommodate the extra needed space, something he says has been a need for the past 15 years and would not affect any other election operations. The county plans to submit for the Physical Security Grant Program through the Secretary of State’s Office, which uses federal HAVA security funds for…
The Bayer family joined Manhattan city officials on Saturday for the Stonehaven Park dedication. Manhattan’s newest park is located on the Amherst Avenue extension, just west of the Miller Parkway and Amherst Avenue roundabout. The land was donated to the city by the Bayer family, a farming family that traces it’s roots to the early 1900s. The park itself sits on the central portion of what was the Bayer family farm. Mayor Mark Hatesohl was at the dedication, and spoke about the park. Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Stewart also spoke about what makes Stonehaven unique compared to the city’s…
Manhattan City Commissioners were presented with proposals Tuesday from city staff to begin paid parking in the downtown parking garage. Since opening in 2010, the garage has been free but city officials say the present state of disrepair and misuse by undesirable transients and criminals have created a need for a funding source to pay for repairs and ongoing maintenance. Commissioner Wynn Butler… Commissioner Linda Morse says while the garage needs to be funded, there are other considerations to keep in mind. Commissioner John Matta says in addition to paid parking the city has to look into ways to help…
A new park in Manhattan will be dedicated this weekend. The Manhattan Parks & Recreation Department says Stonehaven Park is located off Miller Parkway and Amherst Avenue Extension. Park Superintendent Casey Smithson says the park includes a concrete walking path as well as a three acre pond. A pair of tree plantings will take place with the Bayer family, which donated land for the new park. There will be hotdogs served by RCPD after the dedication ceremony, which is tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday.
The City of Wamego is looking to move the misnamed Chrysler House. Walter Chrysler, automotive industry executive, was born in Wamego, and lived there before his family moved to Ellis, Kansas. City Manager Stacie Eichem gave some background on the house in question. While the house was not the birthplace of Chrysler, the community still celebrates the house. The City of Wamego recently decided to take action on the house and will take sealed bids to move the house from the property at the southeast corner of US 24 and Highway 99. Eichem says the city is looking at options…