The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce tracks a lot of economic numbers. This is according to Chamber President Lyle Butler, in his update at Thursday’s Riley County Commission meeting. Butler said one of the things they trace are the unemployment numbers because it gives them a good indication of what’s happening.

Butler said Riley County has been one of the lowest, not only in the State of Kansas, but one of the lowest in the country, with a population of 25,000 or more. If you’ve been following the news, in January 2010, the unemployment figures, although nationally held flat, there were 30 states where the unemployment rates jumped up and Kansas was one of those.

According to Butler, the unemployment rate has been sliding up a little bit, but the January number did jump up to 5.1%, compared to Pottawatomie County at 5.9% and Geary County at 8.9%.

Butler added the State saw an overall increase in the unemployment numbers, but feels weather played a role in construction jobs, and layoffs of seasonal help by retailers was also a factor. Butler did have some good news….some of the local manufacturer’s have seen an increase in sales for both January and February, and have begun hiring again.

Butler said Riley County is being affected by the economy. It took a long time because for most of 2009, unemployment figures were in the 3.5 to 3.9% range; way below the national average and one of the lowest in the country.

Wednesday was to be the last day of operation for the FREE Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site, but due to continued demand, the site will be open ONE more day. The last-chance opportunity will take place on Tuesday, April 6th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Manhattan Public Library. Appointments are still required and can be made by calling 785-313-9014.

To be eligible for the services, taxpayers must have household income of less than $42,000. Taxpayers must also have a federal filing requirement. We cannot file for active duty military, international students or those who have income from a state other than Kansas.

A Fort Riley soldier was found dead on post Wednesday afternoon. A news release from Fort Riley early this (Thursday) afternoon indicates the Fort Riley Police Station received a call voicing concerns about a soldier at about three Wednesday afternoon. Police initiated a search and a short time later found the soldier unresponsive in a vehicle which was located on a tank trail behind the commissary. An ambulance was called to the scene and the soldier was transported to Irwin Army Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about four p.m. The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated by the Criominal Investigation Division and the Fort Riley Police.

A federal grand jury in Topeka has returned indictments, which include drug-related charges for a Manhattan man. 31-year-old Risheen Robinson of 2407 Brook lane is charged with four counts of distributing crack coaine, one count of distributing crack/cocaine within one thousand feet of a school, and one count of possession with intent to distribute within one thousand feet of a school. The crimes allegedly occurred this past January and February and in close proximity to Woodrow Wilson and Bluemont Grade schools.

A St, Mary’s man has been charged by a federal grand jury with stealing more than 890-thousand dollars from his mother’s trust fund. 52-year-old Kent Gockel is charged with 11 counts of bank fraud in connection with the crimes, which allegedly occurred in 2008 in Pottawatomie County. According to the indictment, a trust was established by Gockel’s late father Francis Gockel, who owned a grocery store in St. Mary’s beginning in 1949. After his father’s death in 2002, Ken Gockel began taking care of his mother’s finances. Wilma Gockel later discovered that her trust account at Silver Lake Bank was overdrawn, as well as another account at Kaw Valley State Bank. Investigators also determined that Kent Gockel made cash withdrawals from yet another of Wilma Gockel’s accounts at First National Bank in St. Mary’s. Kent Gockel faces a maximum penalty of 30 years and a fine of up to one million dollars on each count.

The jury trial for an involuntary manslaughter charge that was set for today at Riley County District Court has been reset. Timothy Noel, 28, of 1005 Walters Drive waived his right to a speedy trial, and now awaits a June 29th jury trial. Noel entered a plea of not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in February, in connection with the death of a three month old infant. Noel was taken into custody in November in connection with the July 26th, 2008 death of a child in northeast Manhattan.

Damage with very preliminary estimates of at least $10,000 is being reported this (Thursday) morning, following a vehicle fire in Riley County. Assistant Fire Chief Doug Messer indicates the call came in about four a.m. Messer adds fortunately there were no structures in the area on Ady Drive near the Flint Hills Job Corps. According to Messer, the case is being investigated as a possible arson. Six firefighters from Ogden responded to the early morning fire. A four door passenger vehicle, possibly a Kia, was found fully involved in fire when firefighters arrived.

School districts across the entire state are facing down major budget cuts, and USD 383 held a meeting last night to attempt to find solutions within their own. After a brief introduction and purpose statement, the Board then gave and took suggestions from one another on different ways to cut back. Many topics were brought up, from sports to the controversial cutting of elementary music programs. No action was taken, nor were there any votes, as this was strictly a discussion-oriented meeting. The Board’s next regular meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 24th.

Storm season is upon us, and the National Weather Service and Riley County are stressing preparedness. Riley County Emergency Management Coordinator Laurie Harrison and the National Weather service gave a presentation at Cico Park’s Pottorf Hall Tuesday night dealing with gearing up for storm season. Harrison urges people to have supplies handy in case of emergency, and also to review emergency plans with their families. Harrison described the turnout to Tuesday’s event as a “record turnout”.

Graffiti increased in Manhattan in 2009, and Riley County Police responded quickly, launching an investigation into the graffiti’s origin. The graffiti is in no way gang-related, says RCPD Captain Tim Hegarty. The department discovered that at least 75 cases were perpetrated by 5 adult individuals.

The Little Apple is apparently not immune to tougher economic times, with the unemployment rate going up this past reporting period. Manhattan had a 4.9 percent rate in January compared to 3.9 the month before and 4.4 percent a year ago. Manhattan can no longer claim the lowest employment rate in the state, with Dodge City showing 3.8, Leawood 4.6, and Garden City the same rate of 4.9. 6.1 percent unemployment was reported in the Manhattan metro area, which includes Geary, Pottawatomie and Riley Counties. The 6.1 percent number is up more than a percentage point from December of 2009’s five percent figure, and last year’s 5.1 percent. The Manhattan metro area is no longer the lowest in the state, with the Lawrence/Douglas county rate at 5.8 percent. Riley County’s 5.1 percent is also more than a percentage point higher than the month before with four percent, Pottawatomie county’s is up a percentage point at 5.9, Clay’s is up more than a percentage point at 5.2, and Geary county’s is up a percentage point at 8.9. Wabaunsee county’s is up nearly two percentage points at 7.5.