Author: Brandon Peoples

A major rebuild of Manhattan Regional Airport’s main taxiway is moving forward. On Monday, the Airport Advisory Board received a report from Olsson Engineering officials about how the multimillion dollar project will bring the aging runway up to current Federal Aviation Administration standards. The city commission authorized plans to finance the project on Nov. 18, entering into a $1.2 million professional services agreement with Olsson for design work. Project manager Brian Coomes said Monday the taxiway is being rebuilt in multiple phases to avoid disruptions to charter flights and general aviation operations. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click…

Riley County employees and elected officials are set to receive pay increases in 2026 after commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the pay scales and annual salary resolution. “The employees of Riley County are grateful to the commissioners for committing to market competitive salaries,” said Elizabeth Ward, Riley County’s human resources director. The action implements merit and cost-of-living adjustments already built into the 2026 budget and updates the countywide pay structure for all professional and elected positions. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Riley County news.

Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a plan Thursday to consolidate three of its public safety divisions into a single Emergency Services Department next year, a move officials say will save taxpayers money and increase efficiency. The proposal merges Riley County Emergency Medical Services, Fire District No. 1 and Emergency Management into one department ahead of the October 2026 retirement of Russel Stukey, the county’s fire chief and emergency management director. Stukey, EMS director David Adams and Human Resources Director Elizabeth Ward held several discussions with staff and leadership teams over the past few months. The Fire District Advisory Board endorsed…

After more than three decades leading the Pride of Wildcat Land, Frank Tracz will take his final bow this weekend at a Kansas State University home football game. On Tuesday’s edition of Within Reason with Mike Matson on News Radio KMAN, Tracz said his biggest hope for whoever succeeds him as band director is that the culture and standards remain the same. “I think the structure of the band program is there,” he said. “I think somebody’s going to come in and do some great things with it … and this whole thing will keep going, and the Pride will…

A Manhattan man was arrested Tuesday morning on multiple drug-related offenses. Riley County police say officers executed a search warrant in the 2000 block of Seaton Ave. Tuesday morning before taking 55-year-old Troy Rhodd into custody. Rhodd is charged with possession with intent to manufacture or cultivate a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an opiate. He remains jailed on a $7,000 bond.

The Wichita City Council has moved a step closer to naming its next city manager — and the recommendation is a familiar name in Manhattan. Following an executive session Tuesday, the council voted 5-2 to enter contract negotiations with former Manhattan Assistant City Manager Dennis Marstall. Council members Mike Hoheisel and Brandon Johnson voted no. To view the full article, visit TheMercury.com.

Riley County is launching a new online property information portal next week aimed at providing clearer data at no additional cost to the public. County staff selected the new platform Beacon, provided by Schneider Geospatial, to replace the current parcel search system. Officials said Monday that the new platform is more user-friendly, with expanded search functions and easier-to-read data. “Beacon delivers clearer, more accessible information to the public with enhanced tools,” Riley County Appraiser Anna Burson said. “It allows us to provide additional features at no added cost while significantly improving the user experience.” To view the full article visit…

A local organization’s new supportive-housing program, which launched in the spring, is quickly growing. Be Able Community executive director Scott Voos told Riley County commissioners Monday the program now serves 15 men across three renovated properties, with a capacity to serve up to 24 residents. “Two weeks ago, we had our first graduate who was able to successfully complete our program and then transition into a year-long lease in Manhattan,” Voos said. “That’s the epitome of what we’re trying to do.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local Manhattan news.

Crime continued to decline in October, according to Riley County Police Department Director Brian Peete. During his monthly report to county commissioners on Thursday, Peete delivered a mostly positive crime update, reporting sharp declines in several categories. “As of Nov. 1, our Part One crimes were 20% below the five-year average compared to last year,” he said. “For part one violent crimes, we were about 10% below the five-year average.” To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more Riley County news.

A road maintenance project in the Northview area is taking longer than anticipated, but city officials say it should be wrapped up within the next two weeks. Walters Drive has been under reconstruction since June between Butterfield Road and Tuttle Creek Boulevard. The stretch near Eisenhower Middle School wrapped up around Labor Day, but the portion between Kirkwood and Tuttle Creek Boulevard remained closed — despite earlier assurances it would reopen in October. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local Manhattan news.