The Riley County Commission discussed the 2024 Riley County District Court budget during their Thursday meeting. This discussion was to decide to approve or deny the court budget. The budgeted amount of $185,080 was already listed in the county 2024 budget, which was approved previously. The Commission motioned to approve and send the budget to the Office of Judicial Administration for final approval. The motion was passed. Residential property sales in Riley County are up from July. Riley County Appraiser Anna Burson presented a staff update at Thursday’s Commission meeting. The Appraiser’s Office has started working on the residential market…
Author: Bernie Fancella
The new Leonardville EMS station is set to be open 24/7 upon its completion in a few weeks. EMS/Ambulance Director David Adams is working to get staff ready to go for the opening, which is anticipated in early October. Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke addresses some of the ways the county is financing the new EMS station. Focke, who joined KMAN’s In Focus on Tuesday, also explains the most important reason for the new Leonardville station. The new EMS station is expected to be up and running in October and will serve the entirety of northern Riley County. On-site staff…
Local health officials are reminding the public that flu season is upon us. The health department is currently waiting for FDA and CDC approval of the new COVID booster, which will be available without appointment to everyone 6 months or older. The flu vaccine will be available at the health department beginning on Sept. 18. Riley County Commissioner Kathryn Focke says next month, the health department will put on its annual October flu vaccine clinic, at the Family and Child Resource Center. In addition to influenza and COVID vaccines, there will be fun activities for the whole family provided by A&H…
The Manhattan Area Chamber of Conference recognized local businesses at the fourth annual Business Awards. Business of the Year was awarded to the financial firm Sink Gorden and Associates. CPA Jim Gordon accepted the award. The Small Business of the Year award was given to Arthur-Green, LLP Attorneys at Law. Partner William Bahr accepted the award with fellow partner Andrew Ellis. KO Boxing and Fitness were the winners in the category of Women/Minority Owned Business. Caity Hinnergardt accepted the award. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was given to Casey Ebert with MasonWells Day Spa. Kansas State University Athletics were recognized as…
With less than two weeks to go, Airport Director Brandon Keazer says runway reconstruction is now closing in on being completed in time for American Airlines to begin resuming flights. Keazer updated the Airport Advisory Board on the status of the runway project Monday morning. While the current project is officially 3 weeks behind schedule, Keazer says some work has been streamlined in recent weeks to bring the project back on schedule. American Airlines is scheduled to resume flights Sept. 25. The multi million dollar runway reconstruction project has been underway since officials closed the airport in mid-May. Federal grants…
Monday’s Riley County Commission meeting saw a presentation about the Lakeside Heights and University Park sewer districts. The presentation was given by Deputy County Counselor Shelly Woodard. Woodard says that current material prices, a shortage of labor, and digging through rock has raised the expected price from $130,582 to $431,982. This ia a 43% increase in total costs. A hearing was held with property owners. A public hearing is needed to cancel the project and assess costs. A resolution is required to fix the assessment amounts and set the time for this hearing. The motion to set the hearing date…
The Press will be rocking the 80s Friday the 8th in an effort to help the Manhattan chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Originally scheduled for July 1, weather caused the “Pretty in Pink” event to be postponed. Area Director Michelle Sink explains the importance of the organization. The event will feature a number of activities for attendees. Sink said they are not there to replace parents, but to provide an additional support. Sink is a big sister herself. Sink said they are looking for new volunteers in the community. There will be numerous activities, including an air guitar contest,…
Fort Riley officials hosted the Secretary of the Army Wednesday for a tour of the installation, including the remodeled 4+2 barracks Wednesday afternoon. Army Secretary Christine E Wormuth visited one of the newly remodeled barracks and spoke about the state of the Army’s overall infrastructure. The 4+2 barracks include four rooms with two bathrooms shared between a fireteam. The 2+1 barracks are for Non-Commissioned Officers, and are two rooms shared with one bathroom. The 2+1 rooms also have extra space for soldiers to gather with their NCOs. This tour is to examine the current infrastructure and amenities for our soldiers. Moran spoke…
Riley County Commissioners met in Randolph Thursday evening for the third of four quarterly meetings in the county. The meeting primarily served as an avenue for department heads to update county officials. Presenting from the Riley County Police Department was North County Sergeant Pat Tiede (Tee-dee), who met with school administrators recently at Riley County and Blue Valley High Schools. Tiede says after those meeting, RCPD is enjoying better access to both schools in case of emergency. The Commission also expressed interest to RCPD in increasing signage around the schools encouraging no cell phones usage as is done in Manhattan. EMS Assistant Director Josh Gering…
American Airlines announced last weekend it wouldn’t be resuming flights until Sept. 25, due to construction delays on runway reconstruction. Even if construction is completed before that date, the airline cannot begin flights earlier than that. Airport Director Brandon Keazer says electrical work is slowing down the project, for the airport’s contractor Clarkson Construction. Two back to back heat waves have caused larger equipment to break down, which is also affecting construction. Keazer says despite the setbacks, they are optimistic that work will be completed by that date, ensuring the airport can reopen for the first time since mid-May. American…