Mental health mobile crisis unit diverts 90 percent of calls from hospitals

Commission closes zoning loophole on detached accessory apartments

New screening and distance rules passed for towing yards

County swaps $323,000 in federal transportation funds to bypass red tape

Departing county official recognized for six years of service

Mental health mobile crisis unit diverts 90 percent of calls from hospitals

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Pawnee Mental Health Services has successfully diverted up to 90 percent of its mobile crisis encounters away from emergency services and hospitals this year, officials reported. Pawnee Mental Health officials told the board of county commissioners that the mental health center handled 364 emergency dispatches in Riley County between Jan. 1 and July. The 24/7 service aims to de-escalate mental health crises in the community without relying on 911 dispatchers or emergency rooms.

Commission closes zoning loophole on detached accessory apartments

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The county commission approved an amendment to the Riley County Land Development Regulations to strictly limit the size of accessory apartments built inside detached structures. County planners sought the change after discovering property owners were building 1,000-square-foot apartments inside equally sized sheds, effectively creating unpermitted secondary dwellings without proper zoning approval. The new rule dictates that an accessory apartment cannot exceed 50 percent of the total square footage of the detached structure it sits within.

New screening and distance rules passed for towing yards

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Towing and vehicle storage yards must now abide by stricter screening requirements after the county commission unanimously approved updates to county zoning regulations. The new use-specific standards mandate that towing yards be located at least 500 feet from residential zoning districts and feature visual screening, with all vehicles kept behind the barrier. Planners noted that previous regulations lacked direct oversight for towing storage yards, allowing them to legally operate near homes without the visual buffers required of junkyards and salvage lots.

County swaps $323,000 in federal transportation funds to bypass red tape

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Public Works Director John Ellermann secured county commission approval to exchange $323,560 in federal transportation funds for $290,841 in state funds. Though the exchange costs the county 10 cents on the dollar, Ellermann said the state funds offer greater spending flexibility and bypass burdensome federal regulations that inflate the cost of small infrastructure projects. The county plans to deposit the state reimbursement into an emergency capital improvement fund, which currently holds roughly $1.3 million for future road or bridge projects.

Departing county official recognized for six years of service

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Commissioners bid farewell to Emergency Management Director and Fire Chief Russel Stukey, who is retiring after six years of service to Riley County. Stukey, who recently secured a primary election victory for Kansas House of Representatives District 76, is stepping down ahead of the November general election. Commissioners commended his early efforts in orienting new government officials to the county's fire stations. Addressing the board, Stukey expressed gratitude to his staff and volunteers for helping build a strong departmental foundation during his tenure.

Click here for local obituaries

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us