Riley County Jail faces severe overcrowding challenges

Riley County Clerk's office urges residents to serve as poll workers for November election

Riley County to consider broad alcohol policy for Riley County Fairgrounds

Officials receive update on joint Highway 24 corridor study

Window restoration project underway at historic Goodnow House

Decades-old courthouse preservation medallion discovered in museum storage

Riley County Jail faces severe overcrowding challenges

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Following a tour of the Riley County Police Department's corrections facility, county officials reported severe overcrowding and population density issues. The jail is currently managing an overflow, with a portion of the population housed at out-of-county locations. Officials noted that the high population density is creating challenging conditions for staff and forcing the facility to place multiple beds in small areas, though corrections personnel were commended for managing the less-than-optimal circumstances.

Riley County Clerk's office urges residents to serve as poll workers for November election

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Clerk's office is facing a shortage of poll workers for the upcoming Nov. 3 general election and is seeking 25 new volunteers. The clerk's office emphasized that volunteers will receive extensive training to alleviate any intimidation regarding electronic poll books and voting machines, and younger workers will be stationed at every polling place to assist with technology. The elections office will be closed on Sept. 30 to conduct mandatory training for all election board workers.

Riley County to consider broad alcohol policy for Riley County Fairgrounds

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen recently discussed an updated alcohol policy for CiCo Park and the Riley County Fairgrounds. Prompted by requests from events such as the Little Apple Mayfest and the Riley County Fair, the county has reviewed its policies. With an increasing number of organizations requesting alcohol permits after previous exceptions were made, formal guidelines have been established regarding when and to whom alcohol use will be permitted in designated areas on the premises.

Officials receive update on joint Highway 24 corridor study

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - An update on the joint Highway 24 corridor study was presented during a recent city-county meeting at Manhattan City Hall. The Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization initiative, which involves Riley County, Pottawatomie County and the city of Manhattan, has completed its public comment gathering phase. Engineering consultants from Benesch will now begin integrating the public feedback into the future timeline and status of the regional transportation plan.

Window restoration project underway at historic Goodnow House

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County Historical Museum Director Katharine Hensler reported that a major window restoration project is currently underway at the historic Goodnow House. The preservation work, managed and fully funded by the Kansas Historical Society, involves removing and repairing a few windows at a time to ensure the historic building remains open and safe for public tours during construction.

Decades-old courthouse preservation medallion discovered in museum storage

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - A nearly 7-pound bronze medallion awarded to Riley County by the Kansas Preservation Alliance in 2000 was recently discovered in a locked file cabinet at the Riley County Historical Museum. The award recognized the county's efforts in preserving the historic 1906 Riley County Courthouse but had gone unviewed by the public for 26 years. County officials agreed by consensus to work with the Riley County Public Works Department to create a display for the medallion inside the courthouse.

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