Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo presented the newest version of the 2024 budget at Thursday’s meeting. Included were new dollar amounts for the adjusted cost of living adjustment for employees. The new payroll amount adjusted by the approved 5% COLA is $1.22 million. The total amount in COLA was increased due to new positions that [...]
Under overcast skies, nearly 150 participants launched their boats to start a day long excursion on the Kansas River from Manhattan to Saint George. Park Ranger Angelia Lentz explained the event. Many of the participants were new this year to the Little Apple Paddle. Sports and Leisure Sales Manager Marcia Rozell gave a rundown [...]
Manhattan First Responders will compete in the 20th Annual Battle of the Badges blood drive. RCPD, Riley County EMS, and the Riley County Fire Department will compete to receive votes from donors. The current trophy holders are the Fire Department, who are looking for their 3rd straight win. RCPD Lieutenant Dan Bortnick revealed their secret [...]
Riley County Commissioners approved an amendment to the contract for its $14 million Public Safety Headquarters project Monday. Public Works Director John Ellerman presented amended costs to be paid to architectural firm Archimages to finalize designs for the station 1 for EMS and remodel of the old station for emergency management. Ellerman requested $135,860.00 more for [...]
Manhattan City Park hosted a Model-T car show Friday, the final event of the 2023 Model-T Ford Club of America (MTFCA) National Tour. Nearly 90 Model-T cars were on display for the public to view and, in some lucky cases, even tour around the area. Great Bend’s John Vsetecka (John She-tet-shka) spoke about touring [...]
Riley County Planner Amanda Webb detailed the Comprehensive Plan update Thursday to the Riley County Commission. Webb released the Comprehensive Plan Committee member list, outlining the goals of the committee and discussed the various categories they are focused on. The Commission approved the plan, while Commissioner John Ford requested mental health be added, and Webb [...]
Kansas State University recently received a $1 million NSF Engines Development Award aimed at creating a biotech hub in the animal health corridor. The NSF Engines Grant is designed to fund projects in areas that previously have had little federal attention. The grant that has been approved is a Type I grant, intended to allow [...]
Riley County Law Board received an email from the community asking for clarification on how RCPD releases information to the public after a press release about Fentanyl overdoses in Riley County. There have been 8-10 overdoses on fentanyl in the last 3 months in Riley County. 8 have been confirmed via toxicology report. Director of [...]
The Pottawatomie County Planning commission approved by unanimous vote a plan to build a new Casey’s General Store at the intersection of HWY 24 and Green Valley Road. The new building is roughly the same size as the existing building. The site is located in Blue Township, and would require the building to meet [...]
Steve Minton met with the Pottawatomie county board and asked to delay the final approval of the Scenic Woods plat due to high levels of nitrates coming from wells 7 and 8. These wells are used during the summer months to fulfill demand. Minton spoke about what to expect from KDHE on the matter. Minton [...]
