Local News

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 [...]

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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 [...]

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The school board approved a $20,000 proposal for design services for a backup generator at Marlatt Elementary during its meeting Wednesday. Board member Greg Hoyt moved to give final approval to a proposal submitted by LST Consulting Engineers of Manhattan for the Marlatt backup generator project. During discussion, board member Curt Herrman explained that Marlatt [...]

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After some last-minute calculations, the Manhattan City Commission on Tuesday approved its 2027 budget that would mean a 2.7% increase in property taxes for the average single-family homeowner. Commissioner Larry Fox moved to reduce the proposed mill levy from 52.8 mills to 52.5, reducing the city’s projected use of general fund cash reserves by $236,000. [...]

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By Nathan Gaddie A little over a year after commenting the phrase “well deserved” on a post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Katie Allen spoke publicly Tuesday about the scrutiny she received and her pending federal wrongful termination case against former Kansas commissioner of education Randy Watson. Less than a week after making her online comment, [...]

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A 44-year-old Manhattan man was arrested Tuesday afternoon on multiple drug possession and distribution allegations. Joel Vance Jr. was arrested at about 4:18 p.m. in the 2200 block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard on multiple possession and distribution-related charges and driving while suspended. Vance was issued a $30,000 bond and remained confined in the Riley County [...]

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An Army sergeant who pleaded guilty to raping a child received a 31-year sentence in prison during a court-martial Sept. 4 in a Fort Riley courtroom. Staff Sgt. Rodney S. Sneed III, 35, an M1 Armor Crewmember assigned to the 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, was also dishonorably discharged, [...]

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The son of a long-time Manhattan public servant made his first appearance Monday in Riley County District Court. Randall Reitz, 58, of Manhattan is charged with mistreatment of a dependent adult or elder person, aggravated assault and criminal threat. Reitz told the judge his relationship with one victim has been difficult. He said the other [...]

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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 [...]

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A Manhattan man facing multiple charges across two cases in Riley County District Court — including attempted murder — now looks to a jury trial for the cases after he pleaded not guilty on Monday. Tyrell Demond Harper, 19, entered not guilty pleas to charges including attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated assault [...]

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