The Class of 2017 completed their high school journey Saturday night at the Al Simpler Stadium.

More than 300 seniors received diplomas during commencement on a chilly, windy night. Many in the audience wore coats and in some cases wrapped themselves in blankets to keep warm.

Senior Class President Macy Jaynes told her classmates,” No matter what you’re doing this is the beginning of something new.” Jaynes added, “So this day is often about reflecting on the past and dreaming about the future, don’t forget the present.”

In addition to Jaynes two other classmates chosen by the students spoke during the commencement exercise, Nicholas Dombrowski and Aryus Jones. ” During his remarks Dombrowski referred to current and former star professional athletes. “The successful people we see in the news, the legends we grew up watching and the seemingly perfect professional with loads of titles and trophies are as far from perfect as we are.” Jones said the class of 2017 was one of the most talented, amazing group of people I’ve ever been around.” He concluded by saying, “Good luck to you in every single endeavor you face the rest of your lives. Go out there and change the world.”

Scholarships accepted by the senior class totaled approximately $2,150,000.

The Geary Community Hospital Sleep Lab recently attained reaccreditation through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)

“AASM accreditation is a voluntary process for the assessment of sleep programs and is the gold standard by which the medical community and the public can evaluate sleep medicine services,” said Joe Stratton, GCH Chief Executive Officer. “Geary Community Hospital’s sleep lab has been accredited since 2005 but this renewal serves as an reminder to our patients, families and referring physicians that we are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care at Geary Community Hospital.”

GCH operates a two bed lab that performs polysomnography’s, split night studies, MSLT’s, titration studies and home sleep testing.

“Sleep labs have become more prevalent in the healthcare world,” said Julie Vines, Director of Sleep Lab at GCH. “There are over 80 different types of sleep disorders ranging from difficulty sleeping at night to problems with excessive daytime sleepiness. A sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety and quality of life. Sleep deprivation can affect your ability to drive safely and increase your risk of other health problems.”

The AASM has accredited sleep centers since 1977, and today there are more than 2,500 AASM-accredited sleep facilities. Through regular review and revision of the AASM Standards for Accreditation, the AASM has ensured that the requirements continue to incorporate the latest advances in sleep medicine and meet the needs of patients and referring physicians.

There was some damage reported to a small part of Chapman in Dickinson County in the Thursday evening storms.

The Emergency Management Director for Dickinson County, Chancey Smith, reported on the west side of town on Nicholson Road there was some roof damage to one house and power poles snapped off. There was also some out building damage on that west side of Chapman. ”

Smith noted after the storm there were flash flooding problems in Dickinson County. “Probably five spots between Abilene and Chapman on Old 40 had water going over the roads so they had to put barricades up. ” Those were put up until the water receded, but Old Highway 40 is open this morning. The closures lasted about two hours.

Smith also reported damage to some rural roads in Dickinson County. “A lot of county roads have washed really hard and had water across the top of them. We had to close them until the water came down. But now some of them are impassable because there is no gravel on them, and wash spots across them.

No injuries were reported.

Eight candidates are now in the running for three seats on the Junction City Commission.

They include:

• Heinrich Biggs
• Tim Brown
• Michael Gray
• Michael A. Morris
• Larry Ruiz
• John-Charles Silva
• Jarrod Toothman
• Jeff Underhill

The elected candidates will fill seats vacated by Jim Sands, Mick McCallister, and Mike Ryan in their decision not to seek re-election.

If the candidate list reaches 10, there will be an August primary election ahead of the November general election.

In the Geary USD 475 Board of Education there are four seats up for grabs – three to a full four year term and one to an unexpired two year term.

LaDonna Junghans, current Board President, has filed for election to the unexpired two year term; Sammy Harris, Junction City, and Sarah Talley, Junction City, have  filed for election to a full four year term.

Board member Carolyn Gaston announced that she would not seek re-election; Brian Field and William Brooks have not yet indicated whether or not they will seek re-election. Brooks was appointed special to the Board to fill a vacancy after the departure of Kim Milleson upon relocating to Florida.

The filing deadline for the Board of Education and Junction City Commission is Thursday, June 1st at noon.

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Flash Flood Warning for… Dickinson County in central Kansas… * Until 1100 PM CDT *

At 653 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly. *

Some locations that will experience flooding include… Abilene, Chapman, Solomon, Enterprise, Woodbine, Manchester, Moonlight and Talmage.

Additional rainfall amounts of one to two inches are possible in the warned area. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 289.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Please report flooding to your local law enforcement agency when you can do so safely.

7:24pm

…THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RILEY COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT 730 PM CDT… The tornadic thunderstorm which prompted the warning has weakened. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

A tornado watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for northeastern Kansas.

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7:10PM:

…A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR SOUTH CENTRAL RILEY COUNTY… At 710 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Ogden, moving northeast at 30 mph.

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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Tornado Warning for… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… * Until 730 PM CDT *

At 657 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 5 miles east of Milford Lake, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado.

SOURCE…Weather spotters reported funnel cloud. IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. *

This dangerous storm will be near… Ogden around 705 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
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…A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR NORTHEASTERN DICKINSON…NORTHWESTERN GEARY AND SOUTHWESTERN RILEY COUNTIES…

At 646 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 4 miles south of Milford Lake, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.

This dangerous storm will be near… Junction City around 650 PM CDT. Grandview Plaza, Milford and Milford Lake around 655 PM CDT. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 289 and 294, and between mile markers 298 and 304.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… Heavy rainfall may hide this tornado. Do not wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!
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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Tornado Warning for… Northeastern Dickinson County in central Kansas… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… Southeastern Clay County in north central Kansas… * Until 700 PM CDT

* At 636 PM CDT, a confirmed tornado was located 5 miles north of Chapman, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD…Damaging tornado and golf ball size hail.

SOURCE…Public confirmed tornado.

IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely. *

The tornado will be near… Milford Lake around 650 PM CDT. Milford around 655 PM CDT. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 283 and 295, and between mile markers 297 and 304.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… To repeat, a tornado is on the ground. TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

7:30pm:

Severe Thunderstorm warning has expired. A tornado watch remains in effect until 10:00 pm.

7:20 PM

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 730 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN DICKINSON AND SOUTHEASTERN OTTAWA COUNTIES…

At 714 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Talmage, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include… Abilene, Solomon, Enterprise, Manchester, Niles, Moonlight and Talmage. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 283

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7:08PM–

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Northwestern Geary County in east central Kansas… Western Riley County in northeastern Kansas… West central Pottawatomie County in northeastern Kansas… * Until 730 PM CDT *

At 705 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Riley, moving northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees. *

Locations impacted include… Northern Manhattan, Riley, Milford, Leonardville, Olsburg, Randolph, Keats and Tuttle Creek Lake.

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The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a * Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Northeastern Dickinson County in central Kansas… Northern Geary County in east central Kansas… Southwestern Riley County in northeastern Kansas… Southeastern Clay County in north central Kansas… * Until 715 PM CDT

* At 629 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Chapman, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD…Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include… Southwestern Manhattan, Junction City, Ogden, Grandview Plaza, Chapman, Wakefield, Milford, Milford Lake and Moonlight. This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 282 and 310.