The Geary County Commission has adopted a proposed 2020 county budget for publication. The approximate $17 million spending plan will now go to a public hearing on August 19th, said Commissioner Keith Ascher. “It will go to publication and then we set a public hearing for the 19th of this month, and then we’ll take a final vote on it on the 26th.”

The property tax levy would increase slightly from 70.47 up to 70.706 mills, or about three-tenths of one mill.

The county commission trimmed more than 11 mills from budget proposals before they came up with a spending plan. Core services provided by the county received more emphasis this year, while some other agencies that receive funding would see a reduction. Among them there would be a $10,000 reduction to Pawnee Mental Health Services funding and a $30,000 reduction for ATA Bus funding.

There was a preliminary review of the proposed 2019-2020 budgets for the USD 475 Board of Education meeting Monday evening.

The general fund alone will total $52 million and the property tax levy will remain the same at 43.525 mills. There will be a public hearing on the proposed spending plan on August 19th.

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The Board of Education approved three major roofing projects including work on the Devin Center, H.D. Karns building and the Larry DIxon Center.

The district’s chief operations officer David Wild explained the work will complete the major roofing projects in the district. Federal heavy impact aid totaling $989,000 will be used to fund the projects.

Three people are in custody after a pursuit that began in Geary County along I-70 eastbound near mile marker 310 just after 11 a.m. and traveled through Geary, Riley and Wabaunsee counties before ending in a field approximately one mile west of Pavilion Road.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department said Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck at the I-70 310 eastbound rest area for allegedly following too closely and an unsafe lane change. Deputies returned to their vehicle before re-establishing contact with the driver and asking him to step out of the pickup. The driver, who was later identified as a teenager from Kentucky, fled in the Dodge Ram and led Deputies on the three-county pursuit which ended with the arrest of the driver and two passengers.

Deputies arrested the driver, whose name has not been released, on suspicion of Felony Flee and Elude, Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Felony Drug Paraphernalia, Following too Closely and Unsafe Lane Change. The passengers including Antonio Deshawn Eddins and Sharon Alphuis, both of Louisville, Kentucky were arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Child Endangerment, Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute and Possession of Felony Drug Paraphernalia.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center will hold a Back to School Health Fair on August 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Junction City Konza location as part of National Health Center Week.

The event is part of a national campaign to increase awareness of the ways health centers are providing affordable health care in communities.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center is part of a nationwide network of locally-run health centers that serve more than 29 million people nationwide.

Community organizations participating in the Back to School Health Fair include: CASA 8th Judicial District, Flint Hills MPO and ATA Bus, Girls on the Run Flint Hills, Immanuel Lutheran Early Childhood Center, Junction City Pregnancy Services Center, Geary County WIC, Geary County Health Department, MADD, Pawnee Mental Health, United Way Junction City Geary County, USD 475 Early Childhood Program, Infant Toddler Services, Heart and Vascular Clinics, Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, Junction City Fire Department, K-State Research and Extension Geary County SNAP-ed, Geary Community Hospital, Delivering Change, and Aetna.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department received a call at 12:59 p.m. Sunday about a boat with two occupants who appeared to be in distress on Milford Lake at the mouth of Madison Creek.

The Sheriff’s Department had a marine unit already on the water and responded to the location. They reported that upon arrival Deputies located Armando Matute Jr., Fort RIley, and his 14-year old son floating in the water. Deputies pulled both out of the water and transported them to Milford State Park where they met with Kansas Wildlife and Parks officials to work a boating accident.

Armando Matute Jr. said they were going along in their boat when they heard a loud pop and their boat started taking on water.  He believed they struck something in the water.

The Sheriff’s Department said they were grateful both the father and son were using safe boating practices and were wearing their personal flotation devices ( life jackets ), or the incident could have had a tragic ending.

No injuries were reported.

 

By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

There was a big catch during the third annual Brandon Stroda Kid’s Fishing Derby at Homer’s Pond in Junction City Saturday. Zach, Jacob and Craig Bender pulled in a huge catfish. Tournament participants estimated the size of the big fish was in the 20 to 22 pound range.

Nine-year old Jacob told JC Post that his sister, Logan, first saw that their fishing line was being pulled and told her dad who then saw that the line was being pulled down. Jacob said at first that they thought they had snagged a turtle so it was a surprise when it was pulled out of the water. “Yeah. And then it got snapped when it just came up on the shore.”

Twelve-year old Zach said it took about two minutes to reel the fish in to shore. “Then we finally brought it in and it snapped and somebody helped us pull the huge catfish in. It was probably the biggest fish we’ve ever caught.” They were using one-third ( the middle part ) of a bluegill for bait.

There were a lot of kids who participated in the tournament. Coordinator Alex Tyson with the host organization, Geared Up Dads, said the event was an opportunity to give back to the community. Tyson explained that Homer’s Pond is a good location. “Homer’s Pond is centrally located in our community where we can have all forms of people in our community come out and participate.”

The fishing derby is named after the late Brandon Stroda. His father, Bob Stroda, called it a great event. “It’s a good time for the kids to get with their parents and come out and experience some fishing, and just good family time.” He stated his son would have liked the event. “This was his idea when he wanted to get the tournament started.”

As for the big catfish, it was released back into the water at Homer’s Pond.

 

 

Junction City Chamber of Commerce officials recently traveled to Clarksville, Tennessee where they learned about the growth in that community adjacent to Fort Campbell, and the retention rate of Soldiers who remain there after leaving the military.

For those non-career Soldiers leaving the Army the rate is 47-49% compared to 16-20% five years ago. The percentage of career Soldiers who retire from the military and remain in the Clarksville area is currently in the 67-69% range compared to 45-50% five years ago.

Chamber President Mickey Fornaro-Dean and Military Affairs Council Director Craig Bender reported on their trip this week during a meeting with the Chamber board in Junction City.

Fornaro-Dean noted that they were informed in Clarksville that they do what’s best for their community, not the easiest. The population of that Tennessee city has grown during the last 15 years.

Approximately 27,000 troops are stationed at Fort Campbell. Also, 80% of the active duty Soldiers at Fort Campbell live in Clarksville and not on post, and the City recently received an $8 million grant for use with their workforce.

Fornaro-Dean noted that Clarksville is a bigger place than Junction City, but they do a lot that Junction City can leverage. There are some ideas that can be implemented quickly and others long term. She commented in the short term one example could be a Spouse’s Day where military spouses would be hosted with activities and be presented with educational information.

Hoo Haw is back by popular demand for a second consecutive year at the C. L. Hoover Opera House in Junction City. It is scheduled on Saturday, August 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Performed by actors from the Columbian Theater in Wamego, this show is a tribute to the ‘Hee Haw’ television series. There will be live music and comedy delivered by actors and actresses. Prior to the show from 6-7 p.m. there will be free dinner and live music with your ticket purchase. Food is being provided by Smithfield Foods, Freddy’s, Junction City Little Theater, Dillons and Walmart.  The live music including bluegrass and folk music will be provided by the Haymakers.

You can purchase tickets by calling 238-3906, online at jcoperahouse.org or at the Opera House.

 

 

 

 

Heavy rains swept through Dickinson County Friday morning and resulted in some rural road closures due to high water south of Abilene and runnng to the west toward Solomon.

One man had to be rescued from his vehicle after it was swept off the road by the water, said Emergency Management Director Chancy Smith. The site was south of Abilene between Eden and Fair Roads. “Just had some high water across the road, person drove through it and it floated their car off into  the ditch. He was sitting on top of it until rescue could get there and get him off.”

There were no injuries.

The annual Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will be returning to Heritage Park this year. The event is scheduled on Wednesday, September 4th from 5-8 p.m.

The Expo was planned for Heritage Park in 2018, but rain forced it indoors to the convention center.  This year due to new cost concerns the Chamber has decided to return to the park.

The Member Relations Director Amy Garner said after last year they liked having it indoors. “But just looking at the overall costs, trying to keep the benefits intact for members, trying to keep the cost down for non-members we just felt like it was a better option for us to go back to the park. People enjoyed it at the park. Hopefully it won’t rain on us or be too hot. It’s September so hopefully by then the weather will be nice.”

The Chamber Board of Directors learned Thursday that the Chamber would have to pay $2,600 to hold the Expo at the convention center this year versus no payment a year ago. While it was noted that the Chamber was not asking for free usage but was an organization that could help find others to occupy the convention center.

If it rains on September 4th the Expo will be moved indoors to the Municipal Building. Garner stated that not all the businesses could fit inside that facility so the event would be limited to approximately 50-60 of the first businesses that signed up. If the event is held outside the limit will be 100 businesses.