Author: Brandon Peoples

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.

A first-of-its-kind dredging project at Tuttle Creek Reservoir completed just before the federal government shutdown took effect, but it could be some time before federal and state engineers know just how effective the process was at removing decades of sediment buildup. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kansas Water Office completed the 10-day demonstration of water injection dredging for the fall period on Sept. 27, avoiding being impacted by the federal government shutdown which began Oct. 1. A second and third round of dredging periods are scheduled for spring and summer of 2026. Michels Construction of Brownsville, Wisconsin was…

One person was seriously injured in a shooting Saturday afternoon in a northeast Manhattan neighborhood. Riley County Police officers were called out just before 2 p.m. to the Country Meadow Apartments complex, 1300 E. Marlatt Avenue, after reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, they located a 35-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. According to police, officers provided first aid until emergency crews arrived. The victim was eventually transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka with serious injuries. Further information, including the victim’s name and the person or persons responsible for the shooting, was not immediately available. RCPD…

Local 4-H clubs are celebrating National 4-H week, recognizing the accomplishments of members and volunteers across the country. National 4-H week takes place the first full week of October. This year it’s Sunday through Saturday. Members of the College Hill 4-H Club in Riley County say the organization provides them with useful skills, friendships and plenty of fun along the way. Akinya Williams, a sixth grader at Anthony Middle School, said competing in the county and state fashion review is just one highlight she’s had this year. “I got a reserve grand champion at the Riley County Fashion Revue, and…

From left to right: William Allen, Mary Allen, Akinya Williams, Nora Ingram and Nyla Ingram, of the College Hill 4-H Club in Riley County. Photo courtesy Alecia Ingram.Local 4-H clubs are celebrating National 4-H week, recognizing the accomplishments of members and volunteers across the country. National 4-H week takes place the first full week of October. This year it’s Oct. 5 through Oct. 11 and the theme is “Beyond Ready.” A group of students from the College Hill 4-H club in Riley County recently joined KMAN’s Morning News with Brandon Peoples to discuss how 4-H has impacted their lives and…