County attorney reports spike in homicide caseload and major convictions

Riley County attorney's office seeks to fill vacancy following judge election

Riley County participates in multi-county child predator sting

Jail overcrowding prompts review of law enforcement center plans

Commission pushes for statewide Criminal Nuisance Abatement Act

Commission rejects abortion notification policy as 'not county business'

County throws support behind 911 Operators Hero Act

Commissioners express concern over Edge District tax abatements

County attorney reports spike in homicide caseload and major convictions

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson reported a string of recent felony convictions and informed the Riley County Commission that his office is currently juggling an unusually high homicide caseload. Wilkerson noted that his office has multiple homicide cases slated for this fall and early next year, an increase from previous years when the county averaged one homicide every two to three years. Recent successful prosecutions include convictions for attempted voluntary manslaughter, vehicular homicide and drug trafficking.

Riley County attorney's office seeks to fill vacancy following judge election

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Attorney's Office is searching for a new prosecutor after David Lowden advanced to the November general election for a magistrate judge seat in Sedgwick County. County Attorney Barry Wilkerson informed the commission that he is currently exploring options with the Kansas Attorney General's Office and reviewing local candidates to fill the critical vacancy. Lowden, who joined the Riley County office in 2020 after previously serving as a prosecutor in Sedgwick County, is seeking the District 18 judgeship in his former jurisdiction. The hiring priority is made more urgent by the office's soaring felony and homicide caseload.

Riley County participates in multi-county child predator sting

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Local law enforcement assisted the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in a major sting operation targeting child exploitation on Sept. 17 and 18, resulting in 11 suspects being booked into the Riley County Jail. The joint operation, which also included the Geary County Sheriff's Office and Junction City Police, involved undercover officers posing as minors and sex workers. County Attorney Barry Wilkerson confirmed his office sent two representatives to assist with the multi-county operation on Thursday and Friday of last week. The KBI reported that 19 suspects were arrested overall, including one out-of-state suspect facing federal charges, though no actual children were victimized during the sting.

Jail overcrowding prompts review of law enforcement center plans

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Commission is reevaluating structural plans for the Riley County Law Enforcement Center as the jail population continues to surge. Commissioners noted the Riley County Jail recently operated near its 147-bed maximum capacity — partially due to collaborative housing agreements and holding inmates for other jurisdictions. The spiked numbers prompted a request for old architectural studies to review future options for updating and expanding the aging facility, which currently maintains an actual operational classification capacity of around 120 inmates.

Commission pushes for statewide Criminal Nuisance Abatement Act

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County will lobby the Kansas Legislature to expand the Criminal Nuisance Abatement Act to all rural counties across the state. Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen highlighted Riley County's local success with the program — which allows local governments to crack down on properties hosting repeated criminal activities — and hopes to use the county's positive track record to persuade state lawmakers to adopt the measure statewide.

Commission rejects abortion notification policy as 'not county business'

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Commission firmly rejected a proposal from Leavenworth County to include parental notification for abortions in the Kansas Association of Counties' upcoming legislative agenda. Commissioners unanimously agreed with the statewide consensus of other county leaders that abortion regulations fall strictly outside the purview of county government business, noting they already have enough local issues to manage.

County throws support behind 911 Operators Hero Act

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - The Riley County Commission backed a proposed expansion of the state's 911 Telecommunications Act, which would provide emergency dispatchers with access to state-reimbursed mental health counseling and support services. Currently, the reimbursement program is only available to police officers and firefighters. Advocates are seeking to include 911 operators to provide critical mental health support and help combat high turnover rates in emergency communications.

Commissioners express concern over Edge District tax abatements

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Riley County commissioners voiced reservations about a proposed 20-year tax abatement for the Edge District project in Manhattan. Commissioners noted that while the mixed-use development — which includes condos, a brewery, restaurants and hotels — would receive an 80 percent reduction on its property taxes and pay only 20 percent of its normal tax obligation to the city, the lack of full property tax revenue for the county over two decades could strain local resources. Commissioners debated the economic impact, pointing out that the county will still be expected to provide police, fire and emergency medical services to the area without receiving proportional tax benefits.

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

Contact Us