Junction City Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Fornaro-Dean and Military Affairs Council Director Craig Bender recently traveled to Salina for a conference on Unmanned Aerial Systems ( drones ).
Bender feels it’s an upcoming industry. “Between the several types of UAS that we have on Fort Riley I think we have pilots available as well as the Kansas State Polytechnic Institute with their aviation program. Provides a good pipeline of pilots for UAS so I think it’s a good opportunity where we could bring business here.”
Fornaro – Dean noted a few Kansas communities had representatives in attendance at the conference while the state of Oklahoma was represented in force. Fornaro – Dean said right now the Junction City Chamber officials are learning more about the industry. “It’s very much a growing industry. We’re on the front side of that industry and so we want to make sure that we’re on the front side, knowing what our opportunities are, what our applications are, so it was a good learning experience. We made some really good contacts, more to follow.”
TOPEKA, KAN. – More than 50 people have been indicted on federal charges as a result of a three-year investigation to identify traffickers behind a rising tide of heroin, fentanyl and other drugs on the streets of Manhattan, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.
Sylvester Calvert photo KDOC
“Fentanyl and heroin are a deadly combination,” said U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister. “Our goal is to save lives by disrupting the pipelines bringing these and other poisons to the city Manhattan.”
OVERDOSE DEATH
Federal indictments filed last week and kept under seal until now allege that 18-year-old Kansas State student Maxwell F. Dandaneu was found dead Sept. 26, 2017, in his off-campus apartment from an overdose caused by fentanyl. An indictment alleges Dandaneu got the drugs from a drug trafficking organization made up of five conspirators who are among 54 defendants whose names appear in one of a 13 grand jury indictments.
Defendants Henry Clark, Sylvester Calvert, Michael Calvert, James Toliver, and Blake Woodard are charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl and heroin resulting in Dandaneu’s overdose death, as well as other charges. Woodward is charged with directly distributing the fentanyl to Dandaneu that led to the fatal overdose.
DRUGS CHARGED
In addition to heroin and fentanyl, other drugs that traffickers are accused of distributing include ecstasy, marijuana, methamphetamine and hydrocodone.
CRIMES CHARGED
Dennis Butler, RCPD Director during Wednesday’s news conference in Topeka
The indictments include charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in bodily injury or death, distributing controlled substances resulting in bodily harm or death, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, maintaining a drug involved premise, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, making a false statement in the purchase of a firearm, using Facebook Messenger in furtherance of drug trafficking and removal of property to avoid seizure.
CHICAGO CONNECTION
Law enforcement officers called the investigation Operation Chicago Connection, based on the fact that in 2016 investigators began to hear talk on the streets of this college town about traffickers who some sources called “the Chicago Boys.” In the following months, investigators worked to get a clearer picture of what was going on. What they learned was that some traffickers were making regular trips to Chicago to bring back heroin, fentanyl and other drugs.
TAKEDOWN
Law enforcement officers were out in force Tuesday, serving arrest warrants and search warrants in Manhattan as part of a federal takedown that was one of the largest in state history. Defendants were scheduled to begin making initial appearances in federal court in Topeka today.
Indictment nine (One defendant, fentanyl, removal of property to prevent seizure)
Chanel Toliver, 32, Manhattan, Kan.
Indictment ten (One defendant, methamphetamine)
Damon Brown, 44, Westmoreland, Kan.
Indictment 11 (One defendant, heroin, felonious use of a communication device)
Jason Simonds, 46, Manhattan, Kan.
Indictment 12 (One defendant, felonious use of a communication device)
Jerah Gasser, 26
Indictment 13 (One defendant, firearms)
James Atkinson, 50, Manhattan, Kan.
Upon conviction, the crimes in the 13 indictments carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (Clark, S. Calvert, M. Calvert, J. Toliver, B. Woodyard): Not less than 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (K. Obrecht): Not less than five years and not more than 40 years, and a fine up to $5 million.
Distributing heroin resulting in bodily injury or death (B. Woodyard): Not less than 20 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $1 million.
Conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.
Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon: Up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
Maintaining a drug involved premise: Up to 20 years and a fine up to $500,000.
Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Not less than five years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Conspiracy to make a false statement to obtain a firearm: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
Using Facebook Messenger in furtherance of drug trafficking: Up to four years and a fine up to $250,000.
Removal of property to prevent seizure: Up to five years and a fine up to $250,000.
The case was jointly led by the Riley County Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Riley County Attorney’s Office, the Junction City Police Department, the Geary County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, the Junction City Police Department.
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Mark Edwards, Junction City has indicated he hopes several hundred additional troops could be assigned to Fort Riley. That would be in addition to the 6,200 scheduled to return in October from deployments. “Of course we’re going to have a lot more troops back in October when the rotation brings them home.
Edwards stated, Then we hope, the indications are that perhaps we’ll get some more soldiers assigned to Fort Riley. We hope that announcement will come before the end of the year.”
Edwards estimated the new troop total could possibly be in the 800 to 1,000 range.
Students who complete the new Eighth Grade Magnet Program in USD 475 will be ready to become successful in high school. That was a key message from the principal for the program, Tom Wesoloski. “Our program will captivate our students with real-life connections, at the same time instilling confidence and inspiring purpose in why we teach what we teach. We are going to teach different. There will be a lot of project-based learning.
The new program is housed at the H.D. Karns Building.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Reginald Eggleston, told the ribbon cutting audience Tuesday night that the teachers and staff embrace the motto that every student can learn. “Our motto is whatever it takes. It means we remove barriers to success and we do not accept excuses. I also want to say thank you to the parents who have trusted their students to our care. The staff is committed to helping every child prepare for high school and beyond.”
The ribbon cutting and open house for the program drew a good turnout from the public.
The surgery center at Geary Community Hospital has been named the Charles S. Bollman Surgical Center. The Hospital Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution to name that facility in honor of the late Dr. Charles Bollman, who passed away in July.
Bollman served as a surgeon at Geary Community Hospital for appoximately 43 years until his retirement in 2017.
Members of the public including friends and former co-workers were present at the Hospital Board meeting to express their support for naming the surgery center after Bollman. One of those present was Robert Munson, who applauded the recognition, “for a person who I view as one of the most consequential citizens in Junction City’s history. Dr. Bollman performed surgeries for 43 years at Geary Community Hospital with such compassion, such skill and he brought such great credit to the hospital and obviously to himself with a lifetime of service.” Munson added Bollman was a tremendous man and the action by the Hospital Trustees was most appropriate.
During the discussion prior to the Board’s action another member of the public in attendance, Kristi Sherbert, stated that they “felt that it was something that our community needed to do.” She also noted, “Lot of us can say he is the real deal.”
Junction City firefighters will participate in live burn training this fall on a vacant house located on a 22-acre site adjacent to McFarland Road.
According to Fire Chief Terry Johnson they’ve been given permission to do the fire training there. “This is something we don’t get every day and it’ll be a great opportunity for our firefighters to gain some experience.”
Johnson confirmed the site and house are now owned by the Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church. “We’re going to do some training on the property and once that’s done they’ll start their construction process. They’re still in their plan design phase. ” There is a long range plan for the church to consolidate their facilities at that location.
Johnson said a certain level of training has to be undertaken before the live burn can be done. “So you’re going to see our firefighters training on the house doing different practicing evolutions. The live burn is where we go in and we use different rooms and set fire in specific rooms and from there we send crews in and they extinguish the fire.” The idea is to allow firefighters in a controlled environment to learn about how fire moves and works in a structure fire.
The day of actual burning is when the entire house will be burned to the ground. Johnson estimated that could occur in the late October – early November time frame. At the time of that live burn McFarland Road near the location will be blocked off to traffic.
The house most recently belonged to the late Connie Mancinelli, Junction City.
Johnson said developing a live burn is a long process. ” We have to get certain permissions from Kansas Department of Health and Environment and all those folks.”
An 8th Judicial District based organization has been awarded a $16,000 grant to provide services for victims of crime, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Monday.
CASA of the 8th Judicial District was awarded to fund the recruitment, training and supervision of 120 CASA volunteers who will serve the children in the court system who are victims of abuse, neglect or human trafficking.
The award was made from the State Crime VIctims’ Assistance Fund for Child Abuse and Neglect, which is funded through county court costs, municipal court assessments and State General Fund appropriations.
The latest cost estimate for the new Junction City High School project is $121.5 million, up from a three-year old estimate of $105 million. The primary factor for the increase is a 15.8% hike in the construction price index over that three-year period.
District officials make it clear that the money is available to cover the cost increase. There will be no increase in the local property tax levy.
To pare the cost down to the $121.5 total district officials compiled a list of more than 120 items that are being eliminated from the project for now. Some of them could restored in future years via the district’s six-year master plan for improvements.
Here are the items that have been eliminated from the high school wish list at this time.
There is a strong push on academics and student achievement in Geary USD 475. The superintendent of schools, Dr. Reginald Eggleston, said last week student achievement and student safety are his most important jobs.
On the latter subject involving safety, Eggleston noted that he does feel comfortable. “Last year when I first arrived we conducted a number of safety practices through out the district to ensure that everyone’s aware of their environment, that we all have the accountability piece in place as far as knowing where students are, and I believe the district is well prepared for that.”
Eggleston said throughout the school year there are a number of safety measures, “to ensure that fire drills, lock downs, different things of that nature occur, and that people know where to go, when to go, and how to perform in the case of an event.” The superintendent added they don’t hope for anything to occur but in the event that something does they are prepared. “And even on the note that of just making sure that teachers are connected to their students and students feel comfortable sharing information with them and trust the adults that are in front of them.”
The 2019-2020 school year is under way in Geary USD 475.
The initial planning estimate for the new Junction City High School project was projected at a maximum of $105 million but that number is now $121.5 million. Despite that development USD 475 officials have made it clear there will not be any increase in the property tax levy for local residents.
The Board of Education received a report on the project Saturday during a retreat at Acorns Resort.
The Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, David Wild, noted that the initial planning estimate is now more than three years old, and the construction price index over the last three years reflect a 15.8% price hike. If that is added to the $105 million figure you get a $121.5 million adusted price. “So the Board is looking at, in order to cover those costs, putting some additional ( federal ) impact aid to the project. The take-away for the project is that there will still be no need to raise the mill levy with the school district. We’re on target, we’re within budget allowances and we’ve got the funds to make the project go.”
The Board of Education met in a retreat at Acorns Resort on Saturday and by consensus agreed to a four-page list of alternates, or more than 120 line items, that will have to be cut from the wish list for the project at this time. Wild said minimum needs of the project are still going to be met. “Enhancements, we will continue to look at critically, trim them, put them in the six-year master plan if applicable, to continue to build out and enhance the project over time.” Wild said officials want to ensure a school in August of 2021 as promised to the community with no increase in the mill levy. The six-year master plan is funded by regular capital outlay revenues.
Wild said since federal heavy impact aid is being used to help fund the project the district is required to follow the Davis-Bacon Act. ” Which are labor costs that are pretty high. We’re talking as high as $55 per hour for a trade discipline.”
Breaking down the funding for the project $105 million would come from a bond issue, $4.5 million from the bond premium. $3.5 million from interest realized to date, another $2 million from interest expected through the construction period and $9 million from federal heavy impact aid that was set aside earlier by the school district for this purpose.
For now, decisions on a possible BUILD transportation grant totaling $3.7 million that could potentially be awarded to the city to help with infrastructure costs, and an orchesta room, additional gym and fitness alternate bid will be delayed until possibly November. The Board and staff are deferring decisions at this time on furniture and equipment which could run from $0 up to $2.5 million, and on a safety and security system.
Some of the alternates being cut from the wish list include deleting brick pavers and landscape benches, removal of the west drive connection between both drives on to Munson Road, removal of some parking spaces, but 882 parking spaces remain in the project.
Other items deleted will include a loop drive at the main entry, plus there will be a reduction in the width of sidewalks, removal of concrete under the stadium bleachers and filling that area with rock, reduction in the concessions area, removal of operable partitions between classrooms and infilling with drywall.
Sloped locker tops at student lockers will be removed along with small conference rooms on both floors along the main corridor and three academy areas and there are a number of changes in equipment, mechanical, campus boiler, pipes, water heaters and softener, lab hoods, heat pump, ceiling tile, for the back stairs and athletic stairs, change of carpet brand, reduction in wood finish carpentry and a change of all corridor wall tile to paint – drywall will be exposed.
Other items being removed include removal of baseball and softball concessions, restrooms and ticket booth building and the baseball and softball announcer stand. A construction class will be tasked with building all of those items. Concrete dugouts, will be removed and fenced dugouts will be installed on those ballfields. Lighting will be removed from junior varsity baseball and softball fields, lighting levels will be reduced on the football field from 50 f.c. to 40 f.c. DIgital scoreboards for football, basketball, baseball, softball will be changed to standard LED, and there will be no scoreboard for soccer.
A total of 804 home seats and 198 sesats will be removed from the football stadium leaving home seating totaling 2,720 seats and 800 visitor seats. The varsity softball and baseball fields will be grass fields instead of turf at a savings of $1.5 million.
The audio visual system for broadcast will be removed although the district’s Tricaster can still be used. The audio system for music classrooms, the orchestra classroom, for the commons and for weights, wrestling, multipurpose and fitness are on the list to be removed.
The next major decision for the Board of Education will occur on Sept. 3 when they consider the guaranteed maximum price for the main school building itself. Wild said that cost will be in the vicinity of $99.5 million.
Junction City Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Fornaro-Dean and Military Affairs Council Director Craig Bender recently traveled to Salina for a conference on Unmanned Aerial Systems ( drones ).
