The severe thunderstorm that moved through Geary County with winds estimated in the 50-60 mph range left quite a bit of gravel on US Highway 77 from the area of the Footlocker plant on the south side of Junction City and extending south for several miles.
During the storm Geary County Emergency Management confirmed there was a one vehicle accident on US 77 Highway about one mile south of the Lyons Creek Road intersection. The driver suffered minor injuries, but did not require transport to a hospital.
Earlier wind speeds in Dickinson County were estimated at 60 mph.
“As you drive down this highway, as you come into this building, as this community hears about Veterans who are coming to the clinic – that name will ring a bell, and it will mean something not just today, but for years from now.”
It was the military service, the medals, the honors – but more importantly, it was the “the way he made a difference in other people’s lives.”
Senator Jerry Moran was a guest speaker at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Junction City.
“Sometimes you would just consider naming a building in honor of someone as just paying tribute to them and we certainly are to General Seitz; he’s so worthy of our esteem and respect,” said Moran. “[He was] such an important military leader, had personal attributes/characteristics that we ought to emulate, and he was such a leader in the Junction City and Fort Riley community.”
It made sense to name the new facility after [Seitz] was the mood throughout the touching ceremony.
“He was so highly regarded, he accomplished so much, he demonstrated courage – what you would want in every military man and woman was exhibited in General Seitz,” said Moran. “But what stands out to me in addition to that is that when he came home to Junction City, he wasn’t playing golf or going to the beach – he lived a life that continued that service to make this community better.”
Moran noted that Seitz was a hero in the community, and in the military.
The new facility is nearly 10,000 square feet equipped with space for specialty care services like audiology, physical therapy and a pain clinic. There will be an additional primary care physician and additional providers for mental health services as well.
“Everytime we can bring services closer to home, it means that more Veterans are going to be cared for, and our commitments are going to be kept,” said Moran.
Moran was joined by Seitz’ family and members of the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, April 14.
A “no contest” plea was entered by Gabrielle “Gabby” Williams in Geary County District Court today.
Williams plead “no contest” to conspiracy to commit premeditated first degree murder in the January 2016 death of 24 year old David Phillips of Manhattan.
The Court presented a factual basis alleging in part that the defendant used electronic communications to lure the victim, David Phillips, to an 827 West 12th Street Apartment C location in Junction City where he ultimately died.
Williams was found guilty today of count 1, conspiracy to commit premeditated first degree murder. The defendant’s initial charges also included felony murder and aggravated robbery; those charges were dismissed in Court today.
Sentencing in the plea agreement ranges from 109 months to over 490 months; the Court has recommended a sentence of 180 months, which is subject to final sentencing. The varied sentencing range depends on Williams’ criminal history.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Thursday, July 27th at 1:30 pm in Geary County District Court.
Paula Hansen has been named the Ben Kitchens Volunteer of the Year for the United Way of Junction City and Geary County. Charles Volland has been presented with an appreciation award for his efforts as United Way President to assist with the transition of directors for the organization.
( L-R ) United Way Executive Director Nichole Mader and United Way Past President Charles Volland
The awards were presented during the annual United Way luncheon in Junction City.
Hansen has served as a CASA ( Court Appointed Special Advocate ) volunteer. She noted she handled a difficult case, with 2016 being the third year for the child. “He had been in an out of psychiatric treatment facilities. We finally got him home after quite a long time, and I helped him get into the correction program at Junction City Middle School. So far he’s been doing very successfully there.”
Volland helped guide and assist United Way during the transition between former director Aileen Cray and current director Nichole Mader. Cray had to retire due to health reasons and later passed away. Volland stated that he had to step and help determine what need to be accomplished. “We had to get the allocations process started for the coming year, and tried to figure out where we were financially with all our gifts because Aileen handled all that work.” An accounting firm provided assistance in dealing with that issue.
Volland now serves as Past President of United Way. His appreciation award
Spring-A-Lodeon JC is an arts, crafts, and home business event highlighting the local community.
Lisa Schaffer, organizer for the event, said that there will be something for the whole family to enjoy. “It’s got several activities for kids, and certainly a lot for adults to do especially when it comes to shoppers – there are lots of opportunities to see what local vendors, not only home based businesses where you get typical retail and direct sales products, but even some arts and crafts folks.”
Schaffer noted that this is an event that “deserves good attendance.” “I participated in an event not too long ago and was just disappointed in the turnout…I think the community wants to support local, small businesses and that’s what all of these people [at Spring-A-Lodeon] represent.”
There will be a “Kids Korner” sponsored by the Flint Hills Church in Junction City.
“They’re going to have games, and events, and balloon animals – I think it will be a really good time,” said Schaffer. “Parents can still be in the area and shop, and see their kids from across the room.”
There will be an opportunity for children to hunt for golden eggs to win prizes, photos with the Easter Bunny and a “bulging basket” giveaway filled with Easter treats.
Some of the vendors in attendance will include:
Weathered Legacy
DeeSigns by Dee
S&K Crafty Creations
Hobby Haven
Disabled American Veterans Engraving Service
All Jess’d Up
TurMakithB Jams and Jellies
Carriage rides will also be available from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm for $5.
Spring-A-Lodeon is from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm at the Junction City Municipal Building located at 700 N. Jefferson.
State Representative Lonnie Clark of Junction City will work to support USD 475 on state education funding.
A proposed bill in the Kansas House would reduce funding in the next school year for USD 475 because of enrollment decreases that have already occurred. Clark stated he has visited with the chair of the House committee. “USD 475 is right now looking at about a shortfall of someplace between $6.3 and $7.4 million dollars when you take into consideration heavy impact aid, and the state, and everything else.” Clark called that unacceptable.
Clark plans to speak to the committee during the legislative veto session that begins in Topeka May 1. He is currently gathering information. “I’m just going to go to battle and see if I can get some of that money back for us.”
More than 300 soldiers from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Infantry Division (1ID) returned to Fort Riley today in the first of multiple redeployment ceremonies.
April is the month of the military child; and children were the focus for many of the soldiers returning home today.
For Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Tim Kirschbaum this was his sixth deployment, but that didn’t dull his excitement coming home to his family. “I’m absolutely exhilarated right now, I’m coming back from my 6th tour, and [my girls] just keep growing on me.”
Heidi Eiman, wife of CW2 Walter Eiman, said that though this was the first deployment for their three children, they showed strength in their father’s absence. “I didn’t know how [the would handle it], but they did really, really great; a couple weeks ago [our younger daughter] started hauling around pictures of daddy everywhere she went.”
Sergeant Jared Rivera noted that in the age of social media, the time apart from his three children was easier to bear. “It’s easier to stay focused with the internet and technology we had access to seeing them every night and talking to them every night and my wife was a lot of my strength.”
A second redeployment ceremony took place at noon today with more than 200 soldiers and a third is scheduled overnight at 2:00 am.
The “Demon Brigade” deployed to Afghanistan as part of a regular rotation of forces in August 2016 in support of Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
All members of the “Demon Brigade” in Afghanistan are expected to redeploy (return home) by the end of April, according to 1st ID Public Affairs.
JUNCTION CITY, KAN. – Geary County Schools USD 475 announced on Tuesday, April 11, 2017, that following several interviews a new Executive Director of Human Resources has been named. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Corbin Witt placed Mona Manley (former Director of Teaching and Learning for USD 475) in the position, pending Board of Education approval.
Manley, a resident of Junction City, Kansas has worked in education for more than 30 years including time spent as the Director of Elementary Education in Geary County Schools and principal positions in both Junction City, Kansas, and Lincoln, Nebraska. She began her career in education as a Teacher for 2nd and 3rd grades at Washington Elementary School.
The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the hiring of Michelle Stimatze as the new Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director.
According to a Chamber news release after a review of several candidates in a national search, a committee consisting of Convention and Visitors Bureau board members, Chamber Board of Directors members, and the Chamber CEO, the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has named former CVB Marketing Manager, Michele Stimatze, as its new Convention & Visitors Bureau Director, effective immediately.
“The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce advertised this position both on a State and National level. After several initial phone interviews our selection committee interviewed three candidates. It was clear that Michele Stimatze was the best choice for the promotion and development of our Convention and Visitors Bureau. Michele has a long history in the hospitality industry and has spent the last two plus years in our CVB. She is a lifelong resident and has a passion for Geary County/Junction City and the Flint Hills,” Dennis Beson, Chamber President & CEO said.
A Junction City native, Stimatze brings over 7 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. Stimatze began her career with event planning and fundraising at the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation. She then went on to be the Director of Sales at the Courtyard By Marriott and the General Manager of the Junction City Hampton Inn By Hilton. For the last two years, she has served as the CVB’s Marketing Manager. Stimatze currently serves on the Board of Directors for the C.L. Hoover Opera House, Junction City Brigade, Jammin’ In JC, Noon Rotary, Sundown Salute, Community Connections, Travel Kansas, Travel Industry Association of Kansas (TIAK), I-70 Association, Kansas Society of Association Executives (KSAE), Kansas Birding Festival, and serves as the Vice President of Meet Kansas.
“I’m extremely excited about my new position with the Geary County CVB, a Division of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce. My experience as the CVB Marketing Manager led me to pursue the position after the retirement of past Director, Connie Hall, in December of 2016,” Stimatze said.
The Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes Junction City/ Geary County for convention marketing, leisure and outdoors marketing, group tour marketing, and sports marketing. Stimatze will lead the CVB with current Media Specialist, Bob Cervera, and CVB Admin Dottie Kell to achieve the division’s objectives and goals alongside the rest of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and its staff.
The severe thunderstorm that moved through Geary County with winds estimated in the 50-60 mph range left quite a bit of gravel on US Highway 77 from the area of the Footlocker plant on the south side of Junction City and extending south for several miles.
