Geary County Attorney Steve Opat has decided not to seek re-election.

Opat, 68,  told JC Post on Tuesday that he has decided not to be a candidate for another term as county attorney. “When I sat back and thought about announcing whether or not to run I asked myself the question of whether or not I could tell people that I would be here in four years because it is a four year term. And when I answered myself that I could not I figured it was probably time to turn it over to somebody else.”

Opat added if you’re going to campaign for office the implicit promise to voters is that you will be there during the course of that term.

Opat has served two stints as Geary County Attorney. The first one extended from December of 1979 to January of 1989, and after time spent in private practice he returned in June of 2003 to become the county attorney, and has worked in that position since then.

He’s not ready to completely retire from the practice of law. “No I’m not saying I’m ready to retire. In fact I feel good both mentally and physically, I think I’m probably still in the game as far as my mental faculties are concerned. So I’m sure that I will have opportunities or options or I’ll find something to do.” Opat added he’s not concerned about that now because he has to focus on the every day running of the county attorney’s office. His current term will expire in January of 2017.

Assistant Geary County Attorney Chris Biggs and current Junction City Municipal Court prosecutor Krista Blaisdell have both announced that they will run for the County Attorney position.

Jerry Hodson will be the next superintendent of schools in Chapman USD 473.

Board of Education President Judd Liebau confirmed after a special Board meeting Monday  morning that Hodson is their choice for the superintendent’s position. Hodson is currently the superintendent of schools for Atwood-Rawlins County.

Liebau said Hodson is a former principal in Wakefield, and has also served in the Wellington school district. “Jerry is a very sharp individual, seems to be a good communicator, and seems to be a good people person. Certainly understands budget issues and understands how to run a school.

Liebau noted that Hodson was one of four people interviewed for the job, and one of approximately 15 applicants. “Our goals are to make a transition as smoothly as possible. As a school board we want to just be supportive and be there to assist in that transition. We just look forward to getting into the next stage of USD 473.”

Hodson will succeed Lacee Sell who is resigning, effective June 30. She will become the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Manhattan USD 383.

Earlier this spring the majority of the Chapman school board voted not to extend the contract for Sell beyond June of 2017. That created some controversy in USD 473, with some members of the community expressing concern and opposition to that decision at a Board of Education meeting. Sell then decided to move to the position in the Manhattan  / Ogden school district.

The specific  starting date for Hodson in Chapman is still being determined.

-by: DeAngela McDougald

“Run for the Wall” made it’s way through Junction City this evening in a patriotic, and emotional tribute to America’s veterans.

Nearly 350 motorcyclists arrived in town shortly before 5:00 p.m. and a ceremony in Heritage Park at the Veterans Memorial followed.

Event emcee Phyllis Fitzgerald reminded the crowd that that “many [veterans] did not make it back home, and those we will never forget and we will always honor them for their sacrifices for us.”

The tone of the evening was very much in tune with Fitzgerald’s remembrance of those who “sacrificed” for us.

Guest speaker and Medal of Honor recipient Retired Colonel Donald E. Ballard said, “I’m of the belief that the military is a family owned business. We pass it down from generation to generation and we’re influenced to join because of [our] parents, [our] grandparents – because somebody in [our] family told us you can’t live here for free…and if you can’t serve the military, serve the community.”

Also among the speakers at the event was Senator Jerry Moran. Moran gave an impassioned speech in which he shared his experiences growing up in a post-Vietnam War era and his father’s contributions in the military.

Moran closed his moving speech with this, “The message from the people of Kansas to the riders, to all of you who have served our country, to the folks in Fort Riley who serve our country today here and around the globe is this:  we thank you, we respect you, and we love you.”

The new Veterans Administration community based outpatient clinic project for Junction City is moving to a faster track.

VA Public Affairs spokesman Joseph Burks, said instead of a possible late summer – early fall groundbreaking for the project, it will now be held on Saturday, June 4 at 9 a.m.

The clinic will be located on the south side of Junction City just west of US 77 Highway.

The proposed name for the new 10,000 square foot building is the Lieutenant General Richard J. Seitz Rural Health Clinic.

The facility would allow for expansion of VA services in Junction City, and replace an existing clinic of approximately 3,400 square feet in size at 715 at Southwind Drive.

Scholarships valued at $2.6 million were presented to the Class of 2016 at Junction City High School Thursday evening during the Senior Awards Night ceremony.

Two of the scholarships were appointments to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Both carried a value of $350,000. They were presented to Joseph Korey Kyser Jr. and Christopher Emmanuelle Hogue.

In addition to doing well in his academic work and involvement in school activities Hogue had to meet a series of requirements to be accepted into the U.S. Military Academy. “I had to make sure that I’m healthy. I had to do a fitness assessment, a good score on my ACT, and interview with 12 experienced people in the military, and I had to interview with Congressman Tim Huelskamp.” Hogue plans to major in computer science at West Point, and join the cyber team there.

Kyser said the scholarship means everything to him. “It means everything to me. Free college is a plus but nothing compares to being able to go to one of the best military colleges in the nation and get to serve my country.”

Numerous other major military scholarships were presented to JCHS students. Some of those included $45,000 Kansas State University Army ROTC scholarships to Andrew Beamer and Jacob Sticca, $100,000 Virginia Military Institute Army ROTC scholarship to Miguel Espinosa, $118,000 University of Southern Alabama Army ROTC scholarship to Gary Panion, Navy Advanced Electronic Field Scholarship valued at $80,000 to Nathan Burgoyne, and a Navy Nuclear Program scholarship valued at $80,000 to Jaden Krienert.

Many other scholarships were presented. Some of those included:

–$36,000 Kansas State University Henry J. Putnam scholarship to Nicholas Arneson

–$104,400 Berea College Tuition Promise scholarship to Robert Long

–University of Iowa Academic Success, Advantage Iowa, and University of Iowa Old Gold scholarships with a  combined value of $144,000.

–Nebraska Wesleyan University Academic / Athletic scholarships calculated at $110,000 for David Graham and Angeleau Scott where they will both compete in football and tennis.

–Bethany College Academic / Athletic scholarships valued at $64,000 to Kristopher Quidachay and Reginald Topps

–Methodist University Presidential scholarship, $72,000 to Abigail Weisler

 

The Retirement Recognition Ceremony for USD 475 was a chance for those whom worked countless hours to be honored by their friends and colleagues.

The program honored five retirees:  Anna Haffner from Morris Hill Elementary School, Gilbert Hall from Junction City High School, Sharon Houston from Junction City Middle School, Jan Pabitzky of the Devin Center, and Susan Zimmerman of Junction City Middle School.

Combined experience between the five honorees was approximately 158 years.

Board of Education President Brian Field said, “It’s a bittersweet moment a lot of times because we want to congratulate them and we’re very happy for them and their retirement, but at the same time we’re losing an awful lot of experience and some really good people.”

The night was filled with laughs and warm sentiments, but one of the most touching presentations was from presenter Lindsay Murphy to her colleague and former teacher Sharon Houston.

“Twelve years after having Mrs. Houston as a teacher in sixth grade, I became a teacher at Junction City Middle School and I was placed on her team; how surreal and wonderful it is then to become a colleague of a former teacher that played a huge role in me wanting to become a teacher,” said Murphy.

Anna Hafner, Morris Hill Elementary school teacher said it was an easy answer for her when asked what she would miss the most – “the hugs” she replied.

Gilbert Hall, whom has said that he is not “retiring, he is simply moving on” was paid an enormous compliment by presenter Mike Gross.

Gross stated, “When I recruited Gil [to teach] the first time, Greg Springstein was the principal and I said, ‘Greg, I’m the second best auto teacher in the state, and I want to recruit number one’ and so I called Gil.”

The retirement ceremony was Tuesday evening at Junction City Middle School.

The love that America has for it’s Veterans is very unique however many veterans from previous wars were not always met home with warm welcomes and honorable receptions by the civilian public.

The “Run for the Wall” annual event is a symbolic motorcycle ride from Cucamonga, CA to the nation’s Capitol – Washington, D.C. Every year, the riders make a stop in Junction City.

State coordinator for the event Carl “Rusty” Brown says, “our mission statement for the event is promoting healing among Vietnam Veterans and their families and friends.”

Brown also notes that this applies for our vets today and adds, “It’s also to call for the accounting of POW, MIA and to honor the memory of those missing and killed in action.”

This Sunday, May 22nd over 300 motorcyclists will stop in Junction City for a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Heritage Park. The riders are expected to arrive between 4:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. with the ceremony to begin shortly thereafter.

For those that are interested in joining the riders as they continue on to Washington, D.C. you can visit their website rftw.org and register to ride.  This registration is not indefinitely open so those interested must register as soon as possible.

The new house built by a Junction City High School construction technology class is finished and ready for sale.

The ribbon cutting with the class members was held Tuesday morning. The framing and all components within the project were worked on by students under the direction of their teacher Jeff Wells. Local contractors leveled the lot, did concretework, plumbing, electrical and termite treatment.

The house, which covers 1,224 square feet and consists of three bedrooms and two baths, will be sold by the Sheila M. Burdett Agency. It has been listed for sale at $124,900. Proceeds from the sale will go towards next year’s project.

This is the seventh house built through the Junction City High School Construction Technology program.

The Live Well Geary County program will be serving lunch meals to children in the Junction City community this summer at six different locations.

They include Playground Park at 1001 West 5th Street, the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, Heritage Park, Regency Trailer Court at 948 Grant Avenue, Washington Elementary School, and at the 12th Street Community Center.

According to federal guidelines the food can be served from noon to 1 p.m. Monday – Friday during the May 31 – August 12 period. Youth will be able to eat hot lunches at Washington Elementary School until July 1, and the Picnic Parties will begin July 5th at that location. Youth can eat hot lunches at the 12th Street Community Center, with the Picnic parties beginning at that site on August 1.

According to information provided by Live Well officials they estimating that 20 kids will be served at each spot daily, which would total 4,820 meals.

 

 

GEARY COUNTY – Two people were injured in an accident just after 4 p.m. on Friday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported 7 vehicles were westbound on Interstate 70 near two miles west of U.S. 77.

The visibility was minimal due to a dust storm. A 1998 Dodge Dakota driven by Alejandro Espinoza, 18, Abilene, and a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Tanner Hassell, 21, Leoti, collided causing a chain reaction.

Also involved in the accident a 2001 GMC Sonoma driven by David Geist 54, Hoxie.

A 2015 Dodge Dart driven by Casey Scott, 77, Santa Barbara, California.

A 2011 Ford F-150 driven by Terrance Huelsman, 55, Wichita.

A 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Jordan Davies, 28, Abilene.

A 2015 Jeep Cherokee driven by David Rupp, 78, Moundridge.

Geist was transported to Geary Community Hospital.

Davies was transported to the hospital in Abilene.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

A series of accidents have occurred on I-70 westbound near mile marker 293 approximately two miles west of Junction City. Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf reports that there have been approximately five to six accidents caused by dirt from a farm field blowing across the interstate. Traffic is backed up a considerable distance, and the westbound lane has been closed to traffic. It is still moving in the eastbound lane. Avoid this area if possible.