Bowlers showed up to the K-State Union bowling alley over the weekend to roll strikes and show support for youth mentorship. Big Brothers Big Sisters hosted the Bowling for Kids’ Sake fundraiser Saturday. It was the second annual event since it restarted after the COVID-19 pandemic. North Central area director Michelle Sink said all money [...]

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Riley County officials painted a grim picture of rising employee benefit costs following a new long-term analysis presented to county commissioners Thursday. The county’s human resources and budget and finance departments recently completed a seven-year review of benefit expenses, which concluded that the county’s long-standing estimate is no longer sufficient. Since 2020, Riley County budgeted [...]

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A familiar voice has filed for a seat on the Riley County Commission. Democrat Rob Voelker announced Monday his intent to seek the District 1 seat currently held by Republican John Ford. The 46-year-old former broadcaster says running for public office is a new challenge he wanted to take on. “I am deeply invested in [...]

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Riley County residents living near Hunters Island and Moehlman Bottoms are temporarily without water, due to a water main break in the area. The break is affecting about 200 people living in the area, while crews complete emergency repairs. This includes areas around South Manhattan Ave, Collins Lane, Henton Road, Moehlman Road and areas further [...]

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Less than five weeks remain until the return of Fake Patty’s Day, the unofficial drinking holiday celebration for Kansas State University students in Manhattan. Riley County Police Department Captain Scott Hajek told Riley County commissioners Monday that he is “deeply involved” with planning for the day, which is scheduled for March 7. “The patrol division [...]

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The Kansas Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week in a long-running dispute over an amended planned unit development application by the Riley County Commission, which Prairiewood Holdings LLC has appealed. The dispute centers on whether a protest petition from neighboring landowners has met the legal threshold under state law. The county board initially ruled [...]

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Riley County commissioners on Thursday approved several requests from public works, including a recommendation to conduct a space needs assessment for the health department. Commissioners unanimously voted to hire ArchImages to do the study. “They’ve done the EMS station, they’re working on emergency management/fire and they’re familiar with the buildings around here,” public works director [...]

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A former Manhattan city commissioner and school board member has announced he’s seeking a seat in the Kansas Legislature. Aaron Estabrook has announced his candidacy for the Kansas House of Representatives in District 66, a seat held by Democrat Sydney Carlin since 2003. Estabrook will run as a member of the United Kansas party, an [...]

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Riley County commissioners approved a plan to keep the county’s waste transfer station open as it undergoes construction to install a new tipping floor and chute later this year. Assistant county engineer Evan McMillan presented two potential plans to commissioners Thursday. The board ultimately selected a proposal to construct a temporary chute and dumping area [...]

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Rich Vargo will not serve a ninth term as Riley County clerk. Vargo has been in office since 1997 and is in his eighth term as Riley County’s top administrator. “I do not intend to seek reelection in 2028,” Vargo said in an email to KMAN and The Mercury Thursday. He declined to comment further. [...]

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