Author: Brandon Peoples

Riley County may be on the hook for an extra $100,000 as part of the ongoing remodel of the old EMS station at 2011 Claflin Road. The $2.8 million renovation project will convert the space into the new headquarters for Emergency Management and Riley County Fire District No. 1. Director of public works John Ellerman told the Mercury Thursday that when planning the project, county officials had looked at some site work, such as removing and replacing old concrete and asphalt parking lots. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Riley County news.

County commissioners approved a resolution Monday that will permit financing a major renovation at the Riley County Transfer Station. On Oct. 23, commissioners approved a contract with NF Construction of Marion, Kansas for the tipping floor and chute repair project, totaling $592,540. The county learned it didn’t have the funding available in its solid waste fund to finance the project. Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Phillips said staff had to determine the legality of financing the project under home rule authority. “We actually had to get the attorney general’s insight on this because this isn’t something we would normally finance,”…

Riley County officials invited the public to review and comment on the latest draft of the county’s comprehensive plan, officially titled “Riley County Together 2040.” The plan will replace the county’s existing Vision 2025 plan, outlining land-use goals, growth priorities and ways to implement those strategies through 2040. County planner Amanda Webb told commissioners Monday the draft plan is available for viewing on the county’s website. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local Manhattan news.

C. Clyde Jones, known to many in the community as Mr. Manhattan, died Friday. He was 102. Jones was the first dean of the College of Business at Kansas State University, and then was instrumental in the development of the athletics department. He also was known for his charitable work and civic involvement. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at First United Methodist Church on Poyntz Ave. Visitation and lunch with the family will follow. A private family burial will occur prior to the service. Born in Huntington, West Virginia on Dec. 21, 1922, Jones…

City officials approved demolition of the former Hop & Skip convenience store at the southwest corner of Tuttle Creek Boulevard and Kimball Avenue, and the site could soon house a popular fast food restaurant. A demolition permit appeared on the city of Manhattan’s weekly building receipts detail list on Monday. JRAL Construction is the contractor for the property at 2223 Tuttle Creek Blvd. The property owner is listed 2223 Tuttle Creek LLC, Fadi Bedros, 4104 Berkshire Circle, Manhattan. According to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes, the Manhattan Fire Department reviewed building plans for a new McDonald’s at that location. In…

Riley County officials will soon consider new regulations on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, which they hope will address community concerns and improve oversight of properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb or VRBO. The proposed amendments include a 500-foot separation distance between units, requiring properties be current on all property taxes and county fees and requiring the property’s responsible agent respond in person within one hour of any complaint or emergency. Riley County Public Information Officer Vivienne Leyva said it’s something the county has been working on for several months. “It seems like folks are still trying to figure…

President Donald Trump’s suggestion last week that he could import beef from Argentina to lower costs for consumers is being met with resistance from Kansas Farm Bureau, an organization that represents over 30,000 farm and ranch members in the state. KFB Vice President Glenn Brunkow, of Westmoreland, said the beef sector has been profitable, aided by strong consumer demand, weather conditions, and historically low cattle supply. “Our cow herds are the lowest, I think it’s been since the 1950s,” he said “It’s all part of the cycle. If we leave the market alone, it will self-correct and beef prices will…

The Manhattan Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday night at 1420 Hillcrest Drive. Crews were called out to the home at around 6:40 p.m. and found visible flames and smoke. Upon arrival, firefighters began making an aggressive attack and then did a search of the home, rescuing a dog. According to Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Almes, the dog was lethargic, but was doing better by the time firefighters left the scene. Two occupants were displaced as a result of the fire. No injuries were reported. The fire caused an estimated $40,000 in damage, including $25,000 in structural damage…

A four-vehicle crash Monday evening in northern Riley County sent two people to the hospital and left two others with minor injuries. The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened just before 6 p.m. at U.S. Highway 24 and West 59th Avenue after one driver rear-ended a stopped vehicle, triggering a chain reaction. According to the crash report, an eastbound vehicle struck another eastbound vehicle that was stopped and waiting to turn left at the intersection. The impact caused the striking vehicle to cross into the westbound lane where it collided with a westbound vehicle. Authorities say 76-year-old Connie Schmidt and…

Riley County Health Department Director Diane Creek delivered some “good news” to county commissioners Monday regarding staff salaries for the county’s Women, Infants and Children program amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. “We’re going to receive $99,550 from the state WIC office for October salaries,” she said. That still leaves Riley County about $30,000 short for the month of October because of the three pay periods in the month. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Riley County news.