The Riley County health department will discontinue its reaccreditation process as it undergoes a broader reorganization and works to direct staff time and resources toward public health services.

The Riley County Commission voted unanimously Monday to discontinue the process after health department officials said completing reaccreditation would place additional demands on a department operating with several interim leadership positions.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Riley County health department to discontinue reaccreditation process appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Riley County election officials announced they’re seeking additional poll workers ahead of the Nov. 3 general election as preparations for the election enter a “critical phase.”

County clerk Rich Vargo said election work begins well before Election Day, with federal service ballots required to be transmitted by Sept. 19. The deadline applies to ballots for military and overseas voters under the federal service voting program.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Riley County seeks poll workers ahead of November election appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

GRANDVIEW PLAZA — A lightning strike during severe thunderstorms Saturday evening sparked a fire at a 36-unit building at Geary Estates Apartments, displacing residents and prompting a multi-agency response.

Grandview Plaza police and fire crews arrived at the apartment complex shortly before 6 p.m. after lightning struck the center portion of the building, Grandview Plaza police chief Korie Martin told The Mercury.

The post Lightning strike sparks fire at Grandview Plaza apartment complex appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

WESTMORELAND — County planning officials on Thursday said they plan to make additional changes to proposed regulations for large-scale data centers after reviewing public comments from a recent hearing.

Planning commissioners said they appreciated the detailed feedback from residents, particularly suggestions addressing decommissioning, site restoration, financial assurances, stormwater management, water use and annual compliance reporting.

The post Pott County planning commission plans revisions to proposed data center regulations appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The Riley County board of health unanimously approved several agreements for local programs Tuesday, including a childcare licensing contract that provides more than twice the funding initially anticipated.

Brittany Phillips, budget and finance officer, said the county had budgeted about $50,000 for the childcare licensing agreement, but will now provide about $112,000 under the new contract.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Riley County approves health department agreements amid funding uncertainty appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Riley County 4-H judging teams brought home two state championships and a reserve championship from the Kansas 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes last month, marking the county’s first appearance on three statewide traveling trophies.

Nine Riley County 4-H members competed Aug. 22-23 at K-State in livestock judging, meat judging, a livestock skillathon and quiz bowl. The competitors won state championships in livestock judging and the quiz bowl and finished as reserve champions in the skillathon.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Riley County 4-H judging teams claim state titles appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Countywide sales tax collections were 8% higher in August than the same month last year, Riley County treasurer Shiloh Hager told commissioners on Monday, although collections were down 9% from July. Riley County ended August with total assets of $79.07 million.

Investment income through August totaled $2.19 million, representing 78% of the $2.8 million budgeted for the year. Hager said the county was earning 4% on its checking account, while the highest certificate of deposit rate received in August was 4%.

The post County reports $79 million in assets appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

The Riley County Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between Riley County and Wichita State University to provide internship opportunities for emergency medical students with Riley County emergency services.

Students would complete a background check and county orientation before beginning an internship.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

The post Riley County approves EMS internship partnership appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Riley County commissioners fine-tuned the pay and expectations for the new county administrator position during their Thursday meeting.

The administrator will report to the county commission and oversee more than a dozen departments, including emergency services, health, finance, the county appraiser, county counselor and human resources.

The post Riley County weighs administrator benefits, first-year goals appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

Pawnee Mental Health Services is turning attention to two significant behavioral health concerns in Riley County: suicide and substance use.

During the Riley County Commission meeting on Monday, Pawnee Mental Health CEO Mike Rezkalla cited Kansas Department of Health and Environment data showing 7,126 suicide deaths statewide between 2011 and 2024. Riley County accounted for 113 of those deaths during the same period.

The post Pawnee Mental Health highlights suicide deaths, substance use in Riley County appeared first on News Radio KMAN.