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 post Riley County to consolidate EMS, Emergency Management and Fire services appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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 post Tracz prepares to hand off baton to next ‘Pride’ director appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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 [...]

The post Search warrant leads to arrest of Manhattan man on multiple drug charges appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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. [...]

The post Manhattan native Marstall selected to become Wichita city manager appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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 [...]

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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 [...]

The post Be Able reports early success with supportive-housing program appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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,” [...]

The post Crime down, crashes up in Riley County, says RCPD appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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,” [...]

The post Crime down, crashes up in Riley County, says RCPD appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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 [...]

The post Delayed Walters Drive reconstruction project nearing completion appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The future of an indoor aquatic center in Manhattan appears more uncertain in the wake of the Nov. 4 election. At the Nov. 10 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, board member Joe Knopp said the results signaled strong concerns from voters about future spending. “I think that those are lessons we ought to be [...]

The post Election results cast new doubts over future of indoor aquatics facility appeared first on News Radio KMAN.