Out-of-county juvenile detention placements drive up budget costs

County attorney announces 64-year sentence in 2021 sexual assault case

County to lobby Legislature for extension of nuisance abatement law

Commission approves alcohol sales for Little Apple Mayfest

2026 Riley County Fair theme selected to honor America 250

K-State Extension to offer neutral facilitation services to community

Construction progresses on Fire and Emergency Management building

1. Out-of-county juvenile detention placements drive up budget costs

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — A Riley County Police Department representative warned the commission that juvenile detention costs have significantly exceeded budget estimates over the past two years. Because the local juvenile detention center frequently reaches capacity, the county has been forced to outsource youths to Geary County and transport others to mental health programs at Pawnee Mental Health Services in Manhattan [2]. These out-of-county placements incur high daily rates and transit expenses, placing an unforeseen burden on local taxpayers.

2. County to lobby Legislature for extension of nuisance abatement law

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County will push state legislators to extend or make permanent the county's criminal nuisance abatement process, which is currently set to sunset during the next legislative session. County Counselor Jacob Hansen reported that other Kansas counties have expressed interest in utilizing the legal tool following Riley County's successful implementation. Hansen suggested lobbying the state to expand the law statewide, or at minimum, secure a five-year extension to accommodate the lengthy timeline of abatement trials.

3. Commission approves alcohol sales for Little Apple Mayfest

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission unanimously passed a home rule resolution allowing the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol at CiCo Park during Little Apple Mayfest. The resolution requires vendors to designate a specific, enclosed tent area for alcohol consumption. The legal carve-out mirrors existing exemptions granted annually by the county for the Riley County Fair.

4. 2026 Riley County Fair theme selected to honor America 250

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Fair Board has officially selected "Fair Lights and Star Spangled Nights" as the theme for the 2026 county fair. K-State Research and Extension reported that the theme was chosen by the 4-H Youth Council to align with the nationwide America 250 celebrations. Additionally, the county's 4-H Garden program continues to grow, providing hands-on agriculture, horticulture and nutrition education to 382 students across 21 classrooms this spring.

5. K-State Extension to offer neutral facilitation services to community

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — K-State Research and Extension is expanding its community problem-solving capacity by offering trained facilitators to Riley County organizations. The new program will provide neutral, structured support to help local boards and community groups navigate complex or controversial conversations. Community Vitality Specialist Deborah Kohl and other trained facilitators do not provide expertise or influence outcomes, but rather help organize ideas to reach actionable results.

6. Construction progresses on Fire and Emergency Management building

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Commission received an update that construction on the new Riley County Fire and Emergency Management building is moving forward steadily. Crews have recently begun taping and painting interior areas of the facility. While the project is progressing well, officials noted that a final move-in date has not yet been established due to pending delivery schedules for certain necessary materials.

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