Appraiser reports $285,000 median home sale price

Board weighs $1,000 fines for unlicensed short-term rentals

New K-State lab streamlines well testing for short-term rentals

Commission prepares for data center utility discussions

Highway 24 roundabouts rebuilt due to oversized load damage

County EMS partners with Wichita State University for internships

Appraiser reports $285,000 median home sale price

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Riley County Appraiser's Office reported a median home sale price of $285,000 based on 682 residential sales so far this year. Appraiser Anna Burson noted that 50 percent of the county's home sales fall between $220,000 and $360,000, with very few properties selling below $155,000. On the commercial side, the office is monitoring the Midwest Dream Car Collection, which recently suffered structural damage after what authorities reported was a driver experiencing a medical episode crashing a vehicle into the building. Burson said the property may require a condition adjustment if repairs are not completed by the end of the year.

Board weighs $1,000 fines for unlicensed short-term rentals

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Board of Riley County Commissioners debated implementing steep penalty fees for short-term rental operators who fail to obtain or renew their licenses. Planning Director Amanda Webb proposed an escalating fine system, and the board weighed an initial $500 penalty that increases to $1,000 if unpaid within 30 days. The commission reached a consensus to draft a formal resolution incorporating the fines, aiming to force compliance with county regulations rather than generate revenue.

New K-State lab streamlines well testing for short-term rentals

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Short-term rental operators on private water wells will soon have a more convenient option for mandatory bacteria and nitrate testing. The county is partnering with the newly opened Water Quality Lab at Kansas State University to process the $62 tests, eliminating the previous requirement for county staff or property owners to rush samples to SDK Laboratories in Hutchinson within 24 hours. The lab fee will be passed directly to applicants and collected during the county's inspection process.

Commission prepares for data center utility discussions

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The commission is preparing for upcoming discussions on the potential local impact of data centers, specifically regarding water and electricity usage. Representatives for Evergy, the region's electric utility, are scheduled to present to the board on Oct. 29 to address concerns about transmission capacity and potential effects on local utility rates. Planning and development staff are also working to bring in representatives from the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources to discuss the heavy water consumption typically associated with closed-loop cooling systems used by data centers.

Highway 24 roundabouts rebuilt due to oversized load damage

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — The Board of Riley County Commissioners expressed frustration over the ongoing reconstruction of two relatively new roundabouts at the Kansas Highway 113 and Kansas Highway 13 junctions on the U.S. Highway 24 corridor. During the meeting, commissioners stated the roundabouts are being rebuilt because their original design failed to accommodate extreme oversized loads, which previously caused massive traffic backups and structural wear. The board also discussed ongoing traffic light timing issues at the intersection of Kansas Highway 113 and Skyway Drive, which the city and the Kansas Department of Transportation are working to resolve.

County EMS partners with Wichita State University for internships

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. — Riley County Emergency Medical Services will soon host Advanced EMT and paramedic students from Wichita State University following the unanimous approval of a new memorandum of understanding. Under the agreement, WSU students will complete six-shift clinical internships with Riley County EMS, where they will be assigned a preceptor for hands-on mentoring. David Adams, who currently serves as both Emergency Services Director and Interim Health Department Director, noted that the county is a preferred location for the university due to its optimal call volume and strong mentorship opportunities.

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