The Native Stone Scenic Byway has been extended through portions of Wabaunsee, Riley and Geary counties.

KDOT made the announcement. The agency has been working in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Kansas Historical Society.

The newly extended byway continues along K-99 Highway north from I-70, goes west onto K-18 Highway and then through the town of Wabaunsee. It courses westward into Riley County through Zeandale to K-177 at the edge of Manhattan where it turns southward on K-177 Highway, passes into Geary County and ends at the I-17 – K-177 interchange.

KDOT Secretary Richard Carlson said, “The extension will help broaden awareness of the Flint Hills and the role native limestone plays in the scenic beauty and history of the region. It is sure to spur interest in the communities along the route.”

The Konza Prairie, Pillsbury Crossing and waterfall on Deep Creek, the Flint Hills Discovery Center and a hilltop overlook on K-177 where visitors can survey the Flint Hills and the Kansas River valley are part of the expanded route.

Additional route markers will be placed along the extension and it will be included in the Kansas Byways Guide, added to the byway page on the Kansas Byways website at www.ksbyways.com and promoted on the Kansas Byways Facebook and Pinterest pages. The byway communities are also eligible for grant applications to enhance the route for visitors.

A traffic stop on I-70 near mile marker 284 Saturday night resulted in multiple suspects fleeing on foot.

On Monday the Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman confirmed that when the officer tried to contact the Chevrolet Suburban they were riding in “multiple Hispanic individuals fled from the vehicle on foot.” Hoffman added the vehicle was being monitored by Homeland Security for illegal trafficking.

Hoffman said there had been 11 suspects in the Chevrolet Suburban.  Four of the suspects were arrested on Sunday afternoon about a mile-and-a-half to two miles west of Chapman near Old 40 Highway between Oat and Paint Roads.

There have been searches of the area by authorities that also included the use of Kansas Highway Patrol aircraft. Hoffman stated, “And we’re not able to come up with anything at this time.”  Seven of the suspects remain at large. “Honestly we’re kind of hoping somebody will see somebody or catch a visual of somebody. We went back out to the area again this ( Monday ) morning, looked around a little bit, but didn’t locate anybody else.”

When terrorists struck the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001 one former resident of Geary County was among those who died.

William “Bill” Caspar, 57, formerly of Junction City was among the victims.

Caspar had worked for Marsh-McLennan in New York City. Prior to that he worked for the Central National Bank in Junction City and on the family farm in Geary County. He had served as a member of the Junction City – Geary County Metropolitan Planning Commission. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a graduate of both Saint Xavier High School and Kansas State University.

From Chapman Police Department Facebook site:

Saturday evening Chapman Police Department was asked to support a Dickinson County search operation following an incident an I-70 near mile marker 284 where multiple suspects fled on foot. CPD responded and provided assistance as is CPD and county mutual aid practice.

Sunday afternoon CPD was again asked to assist county, state and other law enforcement entities. Given the proximity of the incident to Chapman city limits Chapman law enforcement and administration decided it was prudent to remind Chapman residents to ensure normal safety processes were in place. Lock doors, turn on lights, report unusual or suspicious activities or individuals.

County officials have released CPD personnel following efforts to locate individuals involved in the incident. All CPD personnel have returned to regular duties.

Details regarding the incident, individuals involved and other details have not been provided to Chapman city administration. Of course normal safety and security processes remain prudent. If additional information is made available to Chapman officials that would assist Chapman residents in ensuring their safety and security, that information will be made available. Questions regarding details of the ongoing investigation can be referred to county, state or federal agencies involved.

The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley will host a 9/11 commemoration ceremony Monday morning at 10 a.m. at the Global War on Terrorism monument on the east side of the Cavalary Parade Field.

The monument is a small replica of the World Trade Center Twin Towers on a Pentagon-shaped base. It bears the names of Fort Riley soldiers who have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Major Gen. Joseph Martin, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general will speak during the ceremony which will also include a wreath laying, a three-round salute fired by an honor guard, and “Taps” performed by a member of the 1st Infantry Division Band.

The ceremony is open to the public.

If you do not have a Department of Defense ID card you will need to arrive early at the Henry gate visitor center to get a pass to the installation. You can go to https://www.riley.army.mil and click on the yell “Accessing Fort Riley” tab on the right-hand side of the page for installation entry requirements.

Work has been progressing recently in Junction City on a community survey to support a grant application for a community development block grant to help fund improvements to the Fifth Street Playground Park.

City Manager Allen Dinkel has been informed that the volunteers working on the survey are optimistic that a low and moderate income requirement for the community could be met in the application. “Hopefully that will work out. That means they can move forward and apply for the grant funds.”

A public hearing is anticipated on the grant application is expected at the first city commission meeting in October. The application would seek $200,000 in grant funding, with an equal amount of funding from a local match.