Riley County Health Department

04/02/2026

Camp Kindergarten helps children feel ready for their first day of school.

At CampK, kids will build confidence, learn routines, and practice skills like listening, taking turns, and following directions.

This is a FREE program provided through a partnership between Riley County Health Department and USD383 to help kids succeed. Class sizes are small, and space is limited to 48 participants.

Find more info and apply online at www.rileycountyks.gov/CampK

Questions? Call (785) 776-4779 ext. 7663

04/01/2026

Riley County Maternal Child Health staff and collaborating partners at Delivering Change in Geary County had a productive few days of learning and networking at the Governor’s Public Health Conference.

03/26/2026

Is your child starting kindergarten this fall?

Camp Kindergarten is a free program designed to help kids get ready for school through fun, hands-on learning. Children will practice classroom routines, build social skills, and gain confidence.

🗓 June 1–26
📍 Bluemont Elementary School
⏰ Half-day sessions

Apply by May 1.

Find more info at www.rileycountyks.gov/CampK or call us at (785) 776-4779 ext. 7663

Space is limited, so don't wait to apply!

03/26/2026

3/25/2026 STREAM ADVISORY RESCINDED

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded its stream advisory for the Tuttle Creek Cove on the Tuttle Creek Lake, as conditions have been evaluated and contact with the water has been deemed safe.

The stream advisory was due to the release of diesel fuel from a tank on a commercial barge that became submerged in Tuttle Creek Lake on March 15. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and KDHE performed comprehensive water quality sampling, and a monitoring plan will continue.

Water quality samples collected by KDHE and USACE have shown no fuel-related contaminants above drinking water standards. These samples were taken from both the spill location in the cove and downstream at the confluence of the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers. Water quality testing will continue downstream to monitor releases from Tuttle Creek Lake.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded its stream advisory for the Tuttle Creek Cove on the Tuttle Creek Lake, as conditions have been evaluated and contact with the water has been deemed safe.

03/19/2026

Join us for a free Childbirth Breathing & Positions Class, taught by an experienced Labor & Delivery Nurse from Via Christi. Learn practical breathing techniques, comfort measures, and labor positions that can help you feel more in control and supported during birth.

April 2 starting at 5:30pm at the Family and Child Resource Center, 2101 Claflin. Contact Maternal & Child Health at (785)776-4779 x7664 today to register!

03/19/2026

3/25/2026 UPDATE: STREAM ADVISORY RESCINDED

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded its stream advisory for the Tuttle Creek Cove on the Tuttle Creek Lake, as conditions have been evaluated and contact with the water has been deemed safe.

The stream advisory was due to the release of diesel fuel from a tank on a commercial barge that became submerged in Tuttle Creek Lake on March 15. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and KDHE performed comprehensive water quality sampling, and a monitoring plan will continue.

Water quality samples collected by KDHE and USACE have shown no fuel-related contaminants above drinking water standards. These samples were taken from both the spill location in the cove and downstream at the confluence of the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers. Water quality testing will continue downstream to monitor releases from Tuttle Creek Lake.

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3/18/2026 KDHE ISSUES STREAM ADVISORY FOR TUTTLE CREEK COVE

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Tuttle Creek Cove on the Tuttle Creek Lake.

The issuance of the stream advisory results from the release of diesel fuel from a tank on a commercial barge. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and KDHE are assessing the extent of the spill to maintain minimal impact on the affected area.

The public are advised to avoid the cove until recovery and remediation efforts are concluded.

KDHE will rescind the advisory once conditions have been evaluated and contact with the water has been deemed safe

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a stream advisory for the Tuttle Creek Cove on the Tuttle Creek Lake.

03/17/2026

📚 Registration is now open for Camp Kindergarten 2026!

This free, four-week program helps children build skills and confidence before starting school. CampK runs June 1–26 at Bluemont Elementary School in Manhattan.

Apply by Friday, May 1: www.rileycountyks.gov/CampK

Call (785) 776-4779 ext. 7663 for more info. Space is limited.

03/12/2026

There are three main property tax refund programs in Kansas:

• Homestead Refund: A homestead is the house, mobile or manufactured home subject to property tax that you own and occupy as a residence. In this case, the term does not mean “farm.”

• Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors

• Property Tax Relief for Seniors & Disabled Veterans

Qualifications include being a resident of Kansas and being a homeowner for the whole year of 2025, plus other factors like age, income, disability status, and disabled veteran status.

IMPORTANT: Applications for these programs are due April 15.

Learn more through the Kansas Department of Revenue website https://www.ksrevenue.gov/perstaxtypeshs.html or call and talk to Carley or Joe in the Riley County Clerk’s Office at 785-565-6203.

You can also ask for information from the VITA tax preparers, the Manhattan Senior Center, AARP, or your paid tax preparer.

Information about property tax refund programs is also printed on the back of every property tax statement you receive in the mail.

03/09/2026

Reminder: Two sections of the Riley County Health Department will be closed for staff training this week. The Public Health Clinic (2030 Tecumseh Road) and Maternal and Child Health division (2101 Claflin Rd) will be temporarily closed March 11, 12, and 13.

These departments will open again for regular hours starting Monday, March 16.

All other divisions including Admin, Raising Riley, and WIC will remain open during this time.

Thank you for your patience.

03/05/2026

Join us for a free Childbirth Breathing & Positions Class, taught by an experienced Labor & Delivery Nurse from Via Christi. Learn practical breathing techniques, comfort measures, and labor positions that can help you feel more in control and supported during birth.

April 2 starting at 5:30pm at the Family and Child Resource Center, 2101 Claflin. Contact Maternal & Child Health at (785)776-4779 x7664 today to register!

03/04/2026

Spring is just around the corner and with it comes the possibility of severe thunderstorms, high winds, floods, and tornadoes. Last year, Kansas saw 30 tornadoes impacting 24 counties with 0 fatalities and 0 injuries.

Every year Riley County Emergency Management encourages everyone to take this time to review their plan, put a supplies kit together, and sign up for emergency notifications. https://www.rileycountyks.gov/917/Emergency-Notifications

02/26/2026

Riley County Health Department staff with Raising Riley and Child Care Licensing attended the Early Childhood Advocacy Day in Topeka. We spoke with Senator Brad Starnes and Representative Sydney Carlin regarding early childhood issues in Riley County.