The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 affected Americans globally in a way that no other tragedy in our modern era had previously.

Where were you when terrorists hijacked planes and declared war on our country; little did any of us know, it would submerge the United States in to the longest conflict in history.

“No mission to difficult, no sacrifice too great – duty first; the motto of the 1st Infantry Division is perhaps the most fitting way to describe the heroic actions of our nation, our first responders, our army and our Big Red One soldiers and families,” said Deputy Commanding General Patrick Frank, 1st Infantry Division.

Melissa Stifter recalled being in high school on September 11, 2001 – but she did not foresee the direct impact the war on terror would have on her future family.

“He was a strong man, and he was older when he joined the military, but he wanted to be able to help [his country],” said Stifter tearfully remembering her late husband SGT Joseph F. Stifter Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Tea, 1st Infantry Division.

SGT Stifter died in combat in Iraq on January 28, 2016.

J. Stifter was amongst those honored in the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony on Fort Riley Sunday morning; many soldiers whom knew Sgt Stifter personally were in attendance.

“We were pretty close, all of us that were in Iraq [together] were really close” said SSG Tylor Enright, Bravo 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “He was very loving, very dedicated, and he was a soldier…we all miss Sgt Stifter…but we know that he is smiling down on us right now and that he appreciates everything that everybody is doing for him and his family.”

J. Stifter’s name was added to a memorial with the names of  214 other soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the war on terror.

“The soldiers that we lost…those soldiers still remain a part of the 1st Infantry Division; just as we always say in our Warrior Ethos, ‘no comrade is left behind’, and we truly believe that – that’s why we have ceremonies like we had here today where we honor the sacrifice of those soldiers that we lost from the 1st Infantry Division and we continue to keep their families as a part of our family here at 1 id,” said Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division, General Patrick Frank.

In the midst of the heart-wrenching ceremony remembering the lives of the many fallen heroes, there was the smile and innocence of a child – Olivia Stifter – that gave everyone a little hope.

“It will be tough to explain [it] to her, but I think [ceremonies like this] will help her understand and help her realize how great of a dad she had,” said Melissa Stifter, mother to Olivia who will be three in October.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 didn’t end on that day, they didn’t end with the collapse of two buildings – they took the lives of countless civilians, first responders and military personnel.

To all of those working day in and day out toward keeping us safe – thank you for your tireless, selfless duty to our cities, counties, states and our nation – thank you.

**Gold Star lapel pins are presented to surviving spouses, parents and immediate family members of military personnel killed in combat.**

1st Infantry Division officials and Fort Riley are preparing for the 100th anniversary of the Big Red One in 2017.

In a premiere event, Major General Wayne Grigsby Jr. and Division Command Sergeant Major Joseph Cornelison will travel to West Point this weekend for the Army vs. Rice football game. The commanding general and members of the 1st Infantry Division Band will play a role in several events highlighting the 1st Infantry Division.

The game kicks off at 11 a.m. and will be televised nationally on CBSSN ( CBS Sports Network ). You can watch it on Cox Cable, Channel 260, Direct TV channel 221, and on DISH TV on Channel 158.

Major General Grigsby will lead the Army team as they run onto the field just before kickoff. The Army team will run out with the 1st Infantry Division flag, the Black Knights Parachute Team will fly in the 1st Infantry Division flag, the 1st ID Spirit video will play during a commercial break in the first quarter, and LTC Dave Siry will discuss a short history of the Big Red One during a commercial break in the second quarter.

At halftime the 1st Infantry Division Band will join the West Point Band and NYPD Police Band in performances that pay tribute to our heroes and first responders.

It’s that time of the year again – school is back in session, cooler temperatures are upon us, football season has begun and the Junction City/Geary County United Way fundraising campaign is preparing for it’s big kickoff.

Each year the local United Way raises money for various agencies and organizations including Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Food Pantry of Geary County, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army and the American Red Cross of Geary County – to name a few.

Nichole Mader, United Way Executive Director said that this year they have a goal of raising $135,000, which is lower than last year.

“It is down, we have in the past reached for $175,000, however, the Board has agreed to lower it just to maybe give us a little bit more fire…when you set a goal and you’re unable to reach that goal, it kind of kicks you a little, and so we’re hoping to get some more fire under our seats by setting a reachable goal,” said Mader.

To help with meeting that sizeable goal, the United Way has a unique raffle at the September 9th Blue Jay home football game.

“We will be setup, we will have a booth set up at each gate where individuals can come in and buy raffle tickets for a chance to win 1 of 2 framed jerseys from the Junction City High School blue jay championship game,” said Mader.

The jerseys will also come with an article celebrating the State Championship team of 2008 – the school’s first 6A title, and only the second in school history – the previous title was 1969.

Tickets are $1 each or $5 for six; you must be present at the time the tickets are called in order to win.

Raffle numbers will be called during halftime and at the end of the third quarter of Friday night’s home game.

Another big part of reaching this year’s goal are the large contributions from ‘Pacesetters’ – or, donors that have given at least $1000 to the United Way of Junction City/Geary County.

The Pacesetters include:

• Platinum:  $15,000+
  • Central National Bank
• Gold:  $10,000+
  • USD 475
  • Dillons Store #44
  • Ben Kitchens Painting
• Silver:  $5,000+
  • City of Junction City
  • Geary Community Hospital
  • Montgomery Communications
  • Union Pacific Foundation
  • Weary Family Foundation
• Bronze:  $1000+
  • Exchange Bank
  • Ft. Riley Tithes Fund
  • Geary County
  • Holiday Inn Express
  • Hoover Law Firm
  • Intrust Bank
  • Jellison Benevolence Society, INC
  • Jim Clark Auto Center
  • Junction City Rotary Club
  • Kansas Gas Service
  • KS State Bank
  • Meritrust Bank
  • R&R Developers
  • Sunflower Bank
  • USAA Financial Services
  • Veolia
  • Wal-Mart
  • Weary Davis LC
  • Westar Energy

Come out and support the Blue Jays this Friday, September 9th and help raise money for your local United Way.

The fundraising campaign for 2017 runs from September 9th, 2016 until December 31st, 2016.

Discussion on a new Junction City High School was on the agenda at the Tuesday night Board of Education meeting.

Dr. Corbin Witt, USD 475 Superintendent, along with his colleagues, brought estimates in the range of $80 to $85 million to the Board to rebuild a new high school on the existing lot.

The formula, consists of $26 million dollars already saved from Heavily Impacted Aid from the Federal government, a $12 million estimate from the government next year, and $8 million the following year – to bring a total of $46 million dollars that the District can come up with on its own. The state, under current legislation, would then match 48% to bring the District the required funding it would need to build a new high school. All of this, according to Witt, can be done without raising the mill levy – though a bond issue would need to be voted on by the public.

“I describe the building as a building that has cancer, you drive by it and it looks healthy, but on the inside its just falling apart; it’s got infrastructure problems that we keep putting band-aids on, but eventually we’re going to have to build a new high school and the longer you wait, the more costly it’s going to be,” said Board member Tom Brungardt.

The $80-$85 million dollar estimates were provided by the architect firm Schaefer, Johnson, Cox and Frey (SJCF) – a firm that the District has worked with several times in the past.

It is important to note that the new school cost projections didn’t include moving the freshman in to the same building as grades 10 through 12.  Additionally, the point was made by Associate Superintendent Dr. Beth Hudson that one of the reasons a new high school is need is because in five years, students in the District have three transitional phases – from 5th to 6th grade is a new building, from 8th to 9th and then again from 9th to 10th.

“I was a little disappointed to hear that the cost didn’t include moving the freshman over to the main building, I would love to have a situation where the freshmen are in the same building because I know right now their concern is that they don’t feel like they are part of the high school,” said Brungardt.

During the August Board meeting, Witt and Director of Business Operations William Clark, discussed plans to tour newly built schools in two Districts comparative to JCHS. One of the schools toured was Wichita Southeast which was designed by the architect firm SJCF at a projected cost of $68 million – today, the final figures are near $120 million.

Clark attributes much of that additional cost to new athletic facilities the Wichita Southeast District added as well as a pool.

“The most important thing I think we need to think about is that we started to visit this two years ago, the cost of these schools has continued to go up, we’re also investing more money in to this school every year – we’re looking at as much as $25 million over the next 5 or 6 years in to that school – would it be better served to put that money toward a new building,” said Brian Field, Board of Education member.

The Board ultimately didn’t vote on a new school today, they agreed to move forward with more information and research from the architect firm, and the community’s input.

“I want the community to be a partner in this, whether it’s coming from taxpayer money or coming from another source, I value their opinions,” said Board member Carolyn Gaston.

After community forums and outreach, the Board will revisit and possibly vote on the new school early next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that a 19-year old Beatrice, Nebraska man, Dylan

Binnick, was shot and wounded by a Sheriff’s Deputy in an incident Sunday morning on Skiddy Road.

Sheriff Tony Wolf said Binnick was transported by Life Star to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka where his condition was listed as stable, with no surgery required.

Wolf said Deputies had responded at 6:26 a.m. Sunday to rural Geary County in response to a report of a possible vehicle accident, with three suspicious subjects walking in the area of Skiddy Road and Skiddy West.

When Deputies arrived in the area about one mile north of Skiddy Cemetery they made contact with two male subjects, and one female subject, who were walking on Skiddy Road after an earlier accident near the Geary – Morris Co

unty line.  Wolf stated, “They met the subjects in the roadway, got out, started to do some investigation on the accident that occurred, tried to find out who these individuals were. One of the individuals ( Binnick ) was very apprehensive about giving up any identification or anything. He finally gave up his identification, then drew a gun out of his waistband on the Deputy. The Deputy was then placed in a very threatening situation, and he drew his weapon and shot the individual. ”

Wolf said Binnick was shot in the right side of his chest, but no surgery was required.

Deputies administered first aid to Binnick until Junction City Fire / EMS arrived on the scene, and he was then transported by Life Star to Stormont Vail.

The other two subjects were identified as Noah Marshall, 18, and a 16-year old juvenile female, both of Beatrice, Nebraska. Wolf reported it was later determined that these individuals were suspects in reported felony crimes in Beatrice within the previous few days. The initial report of the possible accident, revealed a reported stolen vehicle from Beatrice with ties to the three subjects.

Wolf confirmed Marshall and the 16-year old female were arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Assault and other counts. No formal court charges have been filed at this point. The case has been turned over to the KBI who will be handling the investigation.

Wolf noted the deputy who fired the shot, and another who was providing backup at the scene have been both been placed on administrative leave with pay while a third party investigates the matter. The placement on administrative leave is standard procedure in an incident of this sort.

 

Longtime Chapman resident Donna Relihan was honored by the Chapman community on Monday.  She served as the grand marshal for the Chapman Labor Day parade.

“My husband ( the late Dale Relihan ) and I came in 1952. He was the head basketball coach and the history teacher, and then eventually he was the principal for 20 years. We just always lived here, and raised four children here….three sons and a daughter. So this was home.”

Donna rode in the parade in a convertible through downtown Chapman on a warm, sunny day.  She said the parade has changed in some ways over the years. ‘We have less vendors downtown, but I think some of the other things are new, and seem to be going right.”

She still attends sporting events in Chapman, and has held football season tickets since the stadium opened.

And she liked that convertible she rode in. When asked if parade organizers got the right car for her she said, “Yes they did, I’m delighted.” The folks in Chapman could say the same thing about their parade grand marshal.

Junction City firefighters sponsored a day of activities at Coach’s Grill and Bar on Saturday to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. They ranged from a Dueling Pianos performance to silent and live auctions, plus a Kids Zone.

Firefighter Jason Allen said there were also a lot of teams involved in a barbecue competittion. On the full day slate Allen stated, “Our goal was just to provide a great entertainment value for the citizens of Junction City. We want to raise a little bit of money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the process, and I think we’re accomplishing that.”

A similar event sponsored by the firefighters a year ago raised approximately $5,700. Allen estimated the total this year would easily exceed that figure. “The ultimate goal is to thank the people of Junction City that are always supporting us in our fundraising efforts, and provide them a good night entertainment.”

 

From the Office of the Geary County Sheriff, Tony Wolf:

On August 22, 2016, Timothy Walter Streit, 37, was located and apprehended by the Kansas Fugitive Apprehension

Team at a residence in Carbondale, Kansas following a week long investigation conducted by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office.

On August 19, 2016 a warrant for the arrest of Streit was issued by Geary County District Court, alleging five counts of Criminal Threat. Streit is currently being held on a $1.5 million dollar bond in the Geary County Detention Center.

This case is linked to a previous investigation of Aggravated Indecent liberties with a child where Streit is the suspect. That case is pending in Geary County District Court.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Kansas Apprehension Task Force, for their assistance in apprehending Mr. Streit.

The Kansas Apprehension Task Force is a multijurisdictional fugitive task force comprised of the United States Marshals Service, Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Department of Corrections.

If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crimes, please contact the Geary CountySheriff’s Office at 785-238-2261. Or call Crimestoppers at 762-TIPS; you may be eligible for a reward up to $1000.00.

JCPD responded to a call Friday afternoon of a car that crashed in to the Central National Bank located at 116 West 8th Street in downtown Junction City.

Officer Nicholson, JCPD, was the responding officer reporting that he did not suspect any criminal activity in the accident.

The car, a late 90s early 2000 model Dodge Intrepid, was unoccupied at the time of the crash, and there was some sort of malfunction causing the car to crash in to the building, according to Officer Nicholson.

There were no injuries.

The Army is facing budget constraints. It is prompting leaders to look at Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation services.

The Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, Major General Wayne Grigsby has issued a statement.

“Fiscal year 2017 resource constraints will have implications on the services provided by Fort Riley’s Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation to our 1st Infantry Division soldiers and families.  The Fort Riley garrison is currently conducting an internal review on the restructuring of our DFMWR.  We are faced with challenging decisions as selected services will likely be eliminated, others will be restructured, some services will be reduced in hours and several may now incur a patron fee.  This transformation is an Army-wide initiative to rebalance assets, focused on building and maintaining readiness within the force.  At Fort Riley, we will implement these changes to DFMWR services during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017.  As our internal review is complete, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley will provide an update on the DFMWR service restructuring decisions.

 

“In this transition, Fort Riley employees affected by these reductions were offered different positions within DFMWR.  Those employees who choose not to accept the tendered position will be provided assistance from Fort Riley and our Flint Hills regional partners in developing local employment opportunities. 

 

“Once available, additional information on the changes to our Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation services will be shared on DFMWR and Fort Riley social media, the Fort Riley Post newspaper and fliers at installation facilities.”