FIRE UPDATE:

The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 3006 Anderson Avenue at 11:27 a.m. on Thursday. Upon arrival, crews found smoke showing from an HVAC unit on the roof of Wendy’s Restaurant. The fire was contained within 20 minutes, with firefighters remaining on the scene for several hours overhauling the blaze.

The Fire Department reported that a total of 17 firefighters responded on six fire trucks with the last units clearing the scene about 3:30 p.m. All customers and employees evacuated prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. One westbound lane of Anderson Avenue had to be closed for about one hour.

The building is a one-story fast food restaurant that was open for business when the fire began. The building sustained considerable damage and will be closed for an unknown amount of time. The loss is estimated at $75,000 to the structure and $75,000 to the equipment, contents and food. The owner is listed as Tigerlily Properties LLC of Rancho Santa Margarita, California.

The cause of the fire appears to be accidental in nature, starting in the HVAC unit on the roof.

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Manhattan firefighters responded to a blaze at the Wendy’s Restaurant at 3006 Anderson Avenue at 11:27 a.m. Thursday.

Assistant Fire Chief Mike Kaus confirmed there were no injuries, and the cause and damage estimate are still under investigation. The blaze was extinguished.

Kaus indicated where the fire is pictured, it is coming out of a vent by the HVAC unit on the roof of the structure. ( Photos courtesy of Manhattan Fire Department Facebook page )

John Seitz has wrapped up a six-and-a-half year stint as the Military Affairs Council Director in Junction City.

He was honored during a ceremony at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, calling his work as MAC Director for the Chamber a labor of love. “I love working with soldiers and their families. The commanders that showed up down here today are a reflection of the kind of relationship we’ve built over time. It’s been fun.”

Seitz was initially asked to serve as MAC Director by county commissioner and former MAC Board Chairman Ben Bennett during a time when there was no funding to pay a director. Seitz worked without a salary for the first 14 months.  He loved the job. ” Absolutely. Sometimes I didn’t like greeting Soldiers coming in or departing in the middle of the night, but I made it through all that stuff.  It’s a great feeling to know that people care about what you do.”

Bennett credited Seitz with saving the Military Affairs Council operation. “It was just one of those things that we needed some help, we needed somebody that had an interest, and we didn’t have any money so we had to find somebody that was willing to do it.”  Bennett added he told Seitz they needed help, and someone to maintain  the flow of camaraderie and information.

Seitz said having a representative from the Chamber as a military affairs representative is a fulltime job and it takes a lot of personal commitment. “You have to get to know the people at Fort Riley, because when you do get to know you’ll find out what their needs are and then you can help them solve their problems or fulfill their dreams. That’s what it’s all about.”

The ceremony was held in conjunction with the Chamber’s Jingle Mingle holiday event on Wednesday.

The Geary County Rural Fire Department has honored Adam Shamburg as the Firefighter of the Year for 2017 for his commitment to the department. Shamburg has been with the Rural Fire Department of three years, and is based with the Humboldt Creek and Barr Road Fire Stations.

Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges said a new award was presented this year. Rick Parsons was presented with the Deputy Sheriff / Firefighter of the Year for 2017. Sheriff’s Department deputies are also firefighters for Geary County and assist at county fires. Deputy Parsons has shown a commitment to the fire department over the years and can be seen assisting at fires even when off duty.

Approximately 85 firefighters, deputies and their families were in attendance at the annual Firefighter Appreciation Supper this past Sunday.

The 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs office has announced that a 1st Infantry Division Soldier was found dead in his residence in Junction City, Kansas, Dec. 16.

Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Johnson, an artillery mechanic with Battery F, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., was found unresponsive in his home by a friend who called 911. Johnson was pronounced dead by the first responders. The Junction City
Police Department is investigating Johnson’s death. The JCPD confirmed that no suspicious activity has been found and no foul play is suspected in this case. They are still awaiting the results of an autopsy.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our great teammate, Sgt. 1st Class Johnson,” said Lt. Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr., commander of the 1st Bn., 5th FA Regt. “Our team is rallying to support Sgt. 1st Class Johnson’s family, teammates and friends through these challenging times.”

Johnson joined the Army in April 1993 and arrived at Fort Riley in September 2014. He was 46 years old.

Johnson’s home of record is Sumter, South Carolina. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Certificate of Achievement, Driver & Mechanic Badge, Driver and Mechanic with Driver – Wheeled Vehicles and Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver –
Tracked Vehicles.

Johnson deployed to South Korea in 1998; Kuwait in 2002; Iraq in 2003, 2007 and 2010; and again to South Korea in 2016.

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has approved the land survey for the site targeted for a new Junction City High School. The location, known as the North Munson Property, is just west of the city.

In session on Monday the BOE adopted the resolution which contains the specific legal description set forth on the survey. The next step will be the eminent domain process, explained school district attorney Mark Edwards. “After the Board last week approved the actual taking by condemnation of the particular tract in question, it was necessary to have a legal survey done by a licensed surveyor, and Kaw Valley Engineering has now completed that survey.”

The resolution authorizes the Board to proceed to file an action in District Court as part of the next phase of the process.  Edwards stated, “The land owner will be notified, the petition will be filed, at that point in time the court will appoint some disinterested land owners to set a value and then that report will be filed with the Court. And then we will at that point in time determine what the value is, the fair market value of the land.”

Edwards explained that depending on the value the BOE would pay the funds into court and the process completed if the land owner also agrees. If the appraised value is not accepted a trial could be held where the parties could present evidence to the Court on what they feel is the fair market value of the property.

 The Geary County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints regarding persons claiming to be employees of the Sheriff’s Office, informing citizens an arrest warrant has been issued because they missed jury duty.  The caller typically identifies himself as “Deputy Walker”.  Agencies of the Federal, State and Local governments will not contact citizens by phone to inform them they have a warrant.  Additionally, suspects will routinely contact members of the public to inform them they owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) money or will claim they work for Microsoft and have detected a virus on a computer.

Due to the nature of technology used such as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and “spoofing”, identifying a suspect and their location is nearly impossible, leaving the monetary burden on the victim or a financial institution.  Do not agree to comply with the callers demands and contact the Geary County Sheriff’s Office if you believe you have been the victim of a scam.

Geary County Undersheriff Brad Clark

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education will meet in special session at 5 p.m. Monday at the Devin Center to consider a Land Survey for the target site for a new Junction City High School.

According to the agenda published on the school district website the purpose of the meeting is to receive the survey information from Kaw Valley Engineering related to the North Munson property for the new JCHS, and to move forward with the eminent domain process on the property.

The site is located west of Junction City. One week ago the Board of Education decided to move forward with a new high school at that location, but acquisition of the land has not occurred.

In their meeting Monday the Board could consider a motion to approve the survey of land and a resolution.

The 1st Infantry Division Band performed performed two holiday concerts over the weekend at the C. L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City.

Youngsters who needed a bit of assistance got it Saturday from area law enforcement officers and supporters during Shop With a Cop.

This is an annual tradition where members of the law enforcement community take needy children to breakfast and then using funds that have been raised help them purchase Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members.

Al Babcock of the Junction City Police Department said Walmart donated food, and funds were raised through the community for this event. “We had breakfast at the Second Missionary Baptist Church where they cooked the food for us. And then they were bussed down here to Walmart by B & B Busing.” Then members of the law enforcement community including the JCPD, Geary County Sheriff’s Department, Grandview Plaza Police Department. Kansas Highway Patrol, Chapman, Ford County, Hays PD,  and Alcohol Beverage Control helped the children shop for their gifts.

Babcock stated, “This is a really good feeling. It’s an opportunity to be back with the kids.” He added the children were appreciative of the help.  Many purchased toys for gifts and then got them wrapped by volunteers helping with the event.

Babcock said approximately $8,300 was raised for Shop With a Cop this year. He hopes to grow the event in the future where it can accommodate at least 100 kids. This year approximately 65 children participated.