Author: Brandon Peoples

After several meetings and public discussion, the Manhattan City Commission will hold a public hearing Tuesday to consider exceeding the revenue neutral rate before voting to finalize the 2026 fiscal year budget. The budget includes a 1.35-mill increase, bringing it to 54.459, and increasing property taxes for the average Manhattan homeowner by 7.7% based on a 5% average increase in existing, single-family home valuations. For example, a homeowner who paid $610.75 in property taxes on a $100,000 home in 2025 would pay $657.59 on a home worth $105,000 in 2026. The budget includes a 0.216-mill increase for the general fund,…

The future of indoor aquatics and upgrades to CiCo Park remain a hot topic in Manhattan. Parks and Recreation officials are preparing a revised survey to gauge public support for a $60 million indoor water facility. Director Aaron Stewart told the Parks and Rec advisory board Monday that he and deputy city manager Jason Hilgers gathered feedback last week from city, county and school district officials to help shape the survey. All three entities own a stake in the park. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

Riley County dispatch officials said the storm siren activation that occurred just after 10 a.m. Wednesday was accidental and was believed to have been caused following testing of K-State’s emergency notification system. Officials said there was no emergency reported. Typically, the sirens are tested on the first Monday of each month, unless the first Monday is a holiday. Because of inclement weather on Sept. 8, county officials decided to push back the regular monthly testing one week. It is now scheduled to take place Sept. 15.

City officials are moving forward with plans to acquire final easements for the K-18/Fort Riley Boulevard sidewalk gap project. City commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved an ordinance that allows the city to continue negotiations with the two remaining property owners and, if necessary, proceed with condemnation to secure the land. “We do have monetary verbal agreements on those two easements with exact details yet to be completed,” public works director Brian Johnson said. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

City commissioners pushed back Tuesday on a draft survey that would measure public interest in supporting a future indoor aquatics center. The city of Manhattan hopes to poll 400 registered voters to gauge support for funding a potential project through property or sales taxes. Commissioners, including Jayme Minton, raised concerns that some of the survey questions may be unclear or give conflicting options. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.

City commissioners meet Tuesday night with a full agenda, including finalizing a survey on a potential indoor aquatics facility. Previous studies showed a strong desire from the community for indoor aquatics, which only increased with the shuttering of K-State’s Natatorium. City staff have contracted with ETC Institute to design the statistically-valid survey, which they hope will also gauge community support for a broader improvement project at CiCo Park. Commissioners also will weigh an ordinance allowing condemnation of two properties tied to the Fort Riley Boulevard sidewalk gap project. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local…

At Tuesday’s work session, city commissioners agreed to issue a request for qualifications to find a hauler to help consolidate trash and recycling bins into centralized locations. Deputy city manager Jason Hilgers said the plan, first introduced in 2017 as part of the Aggieville community vision ordinance, includes gathering feedback from local businesses, exploring options for recycling and security and improving alley lighting. “We need a hauler to know what works and what doesn’t,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense for us to put something in place that we can’t find a hauler to serve. So the timing of it…

Riley County Police filed two separate reports for injury crashes over the weekend in Manhattan. Early Sunday morning, officers were called to the 200 block of Westwood Road, after a motorist struck a pedestrian. 44-year-old Clark Trawick of Manhattan was transported to a Topeka hospital with serious injuries. Police say the case remains under investigation. Officers also responded to a motorcycle crash Saturday night in the 4200 block of Kimball Avenue. Investigators say 28-year-old Christopher Howell of Junction City lost control of his Harley Davidson while driving through water and crashed. He declined treatment at the scene.

Manhattan Public Works crews are continuing to repair a sinkhole that developed earlier this month in the downtown area. As a result, 3rd Street remains closed from Poyntz Ave. to Humboldt Street. City officials had hoped to finish repairs last week, but have extended the closure until Friday, due to a larger score of necessary work on stormwater pipes than originally anticipated. Parking lot and alley access remains from Humboldt south. Elsewhere, city officials are beginning the next phase of a project on Walters Drive, which involves the closure of the Kirkwood Drive intersection for at least the next six…

Eight of the nine candidates seeking a seat on the Manhattan city commission participated in the first candidate forum of the election season on Saturday, hosted by the United Kansas Party at Manhattan Public Library. Among the key topics discussed was workforce housing and differing approaches to solving the city’s affordable housing challenges. Incumbent Peter Oppelt suggested ongoing reviews of zoning regulations, including parking minimums for new structures. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.