Mayor Mick McCallister at work at a City Commission meeting.
Junction City Commissioner Mick McCallister has announced that he will not seek re-election to a second four-year term.
McCallister stated due to circumstances that affect the family and minor health issues he must focus his immediate attention and efforts elsewhere. He stated, “The past four years has been filled with great memories of working with the greatest community in Kansas.” McCallister noted the governing body worked as a team to control spending and holding the property tax mill levy flat for the past four years. He added he is proud of the many accomplishments that have been made.
After his term expires in January of 2018, McCallister said he would remain engaged with the community at a lower level with volunteerism, committee work and consulting.
McCallister said it’s imperative the community continue to move forward with fresh ideas and positive energy from the elected leaders, and there are several people who can step forward and help the city grow.
McCallister noted he hopes this is not an end to his political career, and he plans to continue public service in the future.
More and more school districts across the state and country have begun implementing programs where high school students participating in athletics or school sponsored activities are subject to random drug testing.
The latest school district to implement this measure is USD 320, where Wamego Board of Education members voted 6 to 1 on Monday, May 8th to adopt the policy.
For high school students in Geary USD 475 this has been a successful program, according to Junction City High School (JCHS) Principal Melissa Sharp.
“After our required health class in this District, which is usually at the 9th grade, there is no other curriculum regarding the use or misuse of drugs; this is an opportunity as an educational facility for us to educate our public, for us to work with partners and for us have conversations with kids about leading a healthy lifestyle.”
Any student at JCHS participating in any KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) sponsored event is subjected to random drug testing.
“Our athletic director Mr. Westerhaus works in conjunction with an outside entity, [and]they schedule random dates throughout the course of the year,” said Sharp.
In April of each year Sharp reports to the Board of Education on the success of the program, noting that negative test results were in the 97th percentile this school year, as reported last month.
“Over the course of the last three years, our negative rating has garnered between the 95th and 97th percentile,” said Sharp. “We’re never going to end the drug and opiate problem in the country, but what it does give us is an opportunity to have conversations and educate people – and that’s our goal.”
The results of the tests are usually received within a day, and parents of students who do not test positive for drug use are notified with congratulatory letters sent in the mail.
Students who test positive, or fail the drug tests are not reprimanded or punished with detention/suspension; but they are invited to have a conversation with administrators and their parents on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.
“Now is when we can help them, when they go out and leave our facility they’re on their own…we’re hoping with education and preventative work that we can help them before it’s too late,” said Sharp.
Sharp noted that the success of the program is not in the punishment or embarrassment of the student, but in educating and working with the student, their family, and the community.
“Our total intent behind this is to help somebody before it’s too late.”
Would school uniforms at Junction City High School put an end to debate over the school Dress Code Policy; one Board of Education member brought that question to the Monday, May 8th Board meeting.
Tom Brungardt questioned Board members on whether or not the possibility of having students at Junction City High School wear uniforms would eliminate inconsistencies and debate.
“There has been controversy around dress codes and a lot of that centers around whether or not most of the rules apply to males or females; and most of the time they apply to females.”
The JCHS dress code, as outlined in the Student Handbook found online, reads in part:
“A student’s personal appearance is the responsibility of the student and his/her parents, but becomes the responsibility of JCHS when it disrupts learning. The preferred dress for JCHS is casual attire, reflective of a student who is career ready. The JCHS Administration reserves the right to make decisions concerning the appropriateness of a student’s attire, and also reserves the right to confiscate any item deemed inappropriate for school or to send a student home for a change of attire. These items will then be retained in the Academy Office of that student.”
In an era where women are taking ownership over their bodies and not willing to accept being a “distraction” to male students, the policy has raised concerns.
If “the JCHS Administration reserves the right to make decisions concerning the appropriateness of a student’s attire”, then saying a clothing choice “disrupts learning” is entirely subjective.
“A uniform policy would negate that issue,” said Brungardt.
“Whether or not [uniforms are] the best thing for our District – I don’t know; I simply asked [the Board] whether or not we’ve ever thought about it.”
Further specifications in the dress code policy ban leggings or tights without shirts or skirts over top of them, and skirts/shorts must be fingertip length when hands are placed at sides. Ripped jeans, and exposed shoulders are also listed as prohibited clothing.
“This is a controversial issue, dress codes are always controversial; whether you go to a uniform or not would be controversial as well, but you’d negate some of the other problems,” said Brungardt.
Brungardt’s comments did not receive much support at the Board of Education meeting.
Three people have been arrested in connection with an alleged robbery at Siony’s Treasures Thrift Store at 339 East 10th Street in Junction City.
Junction City Police reported that 24 year old Malcolm Theodore Wooten, 24, Ogden, 24 year old Donnithan M. Jones, and 28 year old Robert Finley Burks both of Junction City were arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery and conspiracy. Wooten was also arrested on suspicion of theft and aggravated assault.
Police said a computer was allegedly taken and during an attempt to flee a knife was pulled and a threat issued.
One of the suspects was first apprehended and after an investigation authorities arrested the other two suspects.
The April 8th fire at the Bluffs apartment complex in Junction City has been classified as accidental.
Deaun Bailey of the State Fire Marshal’s Office stated it has been “classified as accidental associated with the improper disposal of smoking materials.” She noted the determination would have been impossible to conclude without the testing that was planned and performed by Fire Investigator Nick Nutter.
The cause of the fire was released by Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson, who noted the cause was improper disposal of smoking materials. “We believe cigarettes, inappropriate use of what we call a butt can, somewhere to put the cigarette butts. What they used was more of a plastic material than a metal material, no sand, that type of thing. ” Johnson added authorities believe that’s where it started and the material ignited. “Melted the plastic and it went from there.”
The fire destroyed the 28-unit Building B in the The Bluffs complex. The damage estimate was later placed at near the insured value of $3.8 million. No one was injured.
Johnson confirmed the fire originated on the third floor of the apartment complex.
TOPEKA, KAN. – A man and a woman from Manhattan were sentenced Monday to 28 years in federal prison for taking part in the kidnapping of a Junction City woman who was killed during the abduction, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.
Larry L. Anderson, 28, Manhattan, Kan. pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping resulting in death. His girlfriend, Marryssa M. Middleton, 26, Fort Riley, Kan. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping resulting in death.
The body of Amanda Clemons, 24, of Junction City, was found in
Marryssa Monyque Middleton
February 2014 in Geary County, Kan. In their pleas, Anderson and Middleton admitted that on Feb. 7, 2014, they and co-defendants met the victim, who was a prostitute, at a hotel in Junction City and kidnapped her. The defendants beat the victim in retribution for comments the victim had made on social media about having a sexual relationship with Anderson. During the beating, the defendants demanded the victim pay $300. They took the victim to another hotel room in an unsuccessful attempt to get the money, after which they transported the victim to a residence on Fort Riley.
While there, the defendants allowed the victim to call her mother. The victim’s mother realized the victim was in danger and called Junction City Police. When police called the victim’s number to check on her, and the defendants listened to the call on speaker phone. Fearing arrest, the defendants transported the victim to a bridge in a remote part of Geary County, where they resumed the beating and attacked her with a knife. The victim broke free and jumped off the bridge, falling 15 feet and breaking her ankle. Some of the defendants found the victim in the snow and resumed the assault during which they cut her throat and killed her.
Co-defendants include:
Drexel Woody, 26, who lived on Fort Riley at the time of the crime, is set for sentencing June 26.
Shantrell D. Woody, 27, Fort Riley, Kan., formerly an active duty service member, is set for sentencing May 30.
Christopher Pugh, 33, Junction City, Kan., is set for sentencing June 26.
Beall commended the Junction City Police Department, the Grandview Plaza Police Department, the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, the Riley County Police Department, the Fort Riley Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag and Geary County Attorney Steven Opat for their work on the case.
Jim Cross, Public Information Officer
Public Information Officer for U.S. Attorney in District of Kansas
There will be something for everyone to enjoy during the five nights of Sundown Salute 2017.
Nikki Londene, Sundown Salute Committee President, said that June 30th will be the first day of celebrations with a block party, emceed by a professional DJ.
“It’s DJ Mike Scott, he’s been on tour with the Black Eyed Peas, he did the Dave Chappelle Comedy Tour, 50 Cent – he’s been on tour with several big name acts, ” said Londene.
Saturday, July 1st features classic rock bands and Sundown Salute headliner Quiet Riot.
Christian Music is tentative, but Londene did note that country music will take over on Sunday night, July 2nd.
“We’re still kind of working to get our headliner locked in on that, we have someone that we’re in contract negotiations with – but we have not come to an agreement yet.”
Matt Mason, CMT’s Next Superstar will perform on Sunday. “If you like older country, he’s very good with the older classics,” said Londene. “He also does some more modern [music] as well as his own originals.”
Monday, July 3rd will celebrate local and regional talent.
“We’ve been very lucky that we have some pretty good talent in this region; one of our headliners that night has some ties to Junction City, Salina and Wichita…they have several hits on XM radio currently on Octane, so that will be a huge deal; Seasons After is going to be our headliner that night,” said Londene.
The Fourth of July will feature Patriotic themed entertainment, including the 1st Infantry Division Rock Band. Tuesday, the 4th will also feature the Sundown Salute parade and the annual Veterans Ceremony.
“I think technically they’re out of Missouri, it’s their home headquarters, but they have a location out of Great Bend as well,” said Londene. “this particular company has done the Larned firework show, they do several for Great Bend and Ellinwood; we had several companies submit bids, we went through those [bids] and broke it down to see what we were going to the most of our money out of.”
Ottaway Amusements will provide the Carnival entertainment for all five days of the celebration. There will also be daily craft and food vendors.
There will be a staff recommendation to the Geary USD 475 Board of Education Monday evening to hold a school bond issue election on November 7th.
In this election voter approval would be sought so state financial aid could be received for a proposed new Junction City High School project.
The Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Corbin Witt noted the school bond issue would be at the time of the November general election. “After discussing it with administration and our bond counsel, and our architects we just felt like the August time frame, we wouldn’t have kids in school. Many of our parents and students would be on vacation, and so we thought we’d probably get a better voter turnout at the November election.”
The Board of Education will make the final determination on the election, but Witt added there will be resolutions ready for Board adoption for either a November or August school bond issue election. The November 7th also coincides with the general election in Kansas.
The proposed new high school would be funded by a combination of state aid and federal heavily impacted military aid. Officials have made it clear there would be no increase in the local property tax levy to pay for the project.
The Board of Education meets at 5 p.m. Monday at the Devin Center.
The National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California was the weekend destination for a Junction City and Manhattan contingent.
Phyllis Fitzgerald, Junction City Mayor, said they received an in-briefing from the NTC commander, viewed the Second Brigade Combat Team Soldiers from Fort Riley in their training environment and there were briefings from other commanders on the different training activities.
On the briefings she noted the NTC commander told them, “when the Soldiers come out there they are learning how to do their job, whether they are an infantryman, an artillery man, an armor man, intelligence person or logistics. ” Fitzgerald they work in a cooperative fashion to perform their function.
Allen Dinkel, Junction City Manager, explained the Second Brigade Combat Team Soldiers were training in a battle exercise against a troop from Fort Irwin. ” Our Soldiers, we had talked to them that maybe had three hours of sleep in the last 48 to 72 hours so it was real conditions, they were preparing for them.” He added it let the Soldiers what to expect if they ever have to go abroad.
Junction City Area Chamber of CEO Dennis Beson and Manhattan Mayor Usha Reddi were among others on the trip with the delegation. They returned home Sunday evening.
