House Bill 2450 proposes increasing the speed limits on separated multi-lane highways in Kansas designated by the Kansas Department of Transportation, from 75 mph to 80 mph.

The bill is currently sitting in a legislative committee, a decision of whether it goes to the full house could be made sometime next week.

Lonnie Clark, 65th District Representative says he was approached by the Representative in support of the bill who explained the theory behind it is,”is that the trucks all drive 80 anyways.”

Clark isn’t sure how the bill will go if it is put before the full house, but he hasn’t talked to very many people in favor of the bill.

“To me I think it’s a useless bill. From all intent and purpose, you raise the speed limit to 80, everybody’s going to drive 85. Right now it’s 75 and most people drive 80,” says Clark. “I don’t see the point in it, unless you want to turn it into an autobahn, and I think that’s going to create more accidents, increased insurance rates, and probably deaths.”

Clark went on to make it clear that he will not vote for the bill if it is ever introduced.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and the Kansas Highway Patrol have both provided written testimony opposing the bill. Both groups expressed concerns about highway safety if the speed limit were to increase.

The popular Sundown Salute celebration is a Junction City tradition around the Fourth of July.

The executive director of Sundown Salute, Sharon Glessner has ideas on her wish list for the future of this celebration.

During a visit on the “Your Town” program on KJCK AM she talked about the need for more space downtown where the festival is held. “We could use a few more streets. The carnival would love to bring in more rides. ” Glessner knows space is limited. “I know the businesses have been very gracious. So we’re not sure what we possibly could do.”

Also on her future wish list, Glessner would like to see hot air balloon rides and other large performing shows. Funding is always an important topic. “We would love to have more financing so we could get bigger bands. We need more corporate sponsors, yes.”

This year’s dates for Sundown Salute are June 30 – July 4.

 

 

UPDATE:

The cause of a fire at 526 East Grandview Drive in Grandview Plaza on Saturday has been determined to be electrical. That information was provided by Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges.

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There were no injuries, but a fire at a 526 East Grandview Drive residence in Grandview Plaza Saturday morning caused approximately $30,000 damage to the structure. That did not include contents.

Grandview Plaza Fire Chief Jerome Thomas provided the damage estimate. He confirmed the residents, Coletha and Jamira Rawls,  were not there at the time of the fire, which was reported at 9:06 a.m.  The owner of the residence is Stephanie Pitchford.

Thomas stated when firefighters arrived on the scene the residence was fully engulfed with smoke. Fire and smoke vented through the roof of the structure. “As soon as it vented through the roof it burned two big holes in the roof and started inside the home going up through the ceiling…it was a two part ceiling. Had a metal roof and it also had a wooden roof up on top of it.”

Mutual aid was requested from Geary County and Junction City Fire and EMS. Approximately 30 firefighters responded to the scene.

The Red Cross has been called in to provide assistance to the residents.

 

Fort Riley, Kan. (February 15, 2016) – Fort Riley and Corvias Military Living announced Friday that single and unaccompanied military personnel who receive the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) are now eligible to live on post in privatized military housing.

 

The decision to expand eligibility was made due to immediate home availability and a small decrease in the number of active-duty families currently living on post.

 

With recent troop drawdowns and changes to Army structure, several Army installations have similarly expanded on-post housing eligibility programs across the nation, including at Fort Bragg, the nation’s largest base by population. The expansion of housing eligibility at Fort Riley helps to ensure the housing partnership between Corvias and the Army is able to reinvest in future home construction, modernization, upgrades and repairs throughout the 50-year partnership.  More importantly, it will give unaccompanied Soldiers the opportunity to live on post, a benefit previously open only to military families.

 

“Living on post provides a sense of community and increases housing choices for our Soldiers at Fort Riley,” said Col. Andrew Cole, Jr., Fort Riley garrison commander. “Our decision to offer unaccompanied Soldiers the option to live on post will help strengthen that community and support more of those who serve our nation. A strong Fort Riley supports the success of the community, both on and off post.”

 

Corvias residents enjoy 24-hour maintenance, lawn care, free resident events and several amenities, including community centers with computer labs, fitness centers, and resort-style pools. Plus, there are no application fees, security deposits or credit checks required at move-in.

 

“We are proud to offer our unaccompanied service members the same benefits and improved quality of life that their married counterparts already enjoy in living on post,” said Jim Champagne, business director for Corvias.

 

Homes with spacious floor plans, yards and ample storage are now available for unaccompanied Soldiers in the Warner Peterson, Colyer Forsyth and Historic Main Post communities.  Rates start as low as $400 per month for a two-bedroom home shared with a roommate. For those wishing to live alone, rates are available starting at $800 for a two- or three-bedroom home.

 

Living on post provides military members and families with greater peace of mind and financial value than many alternative housing options.

 

Corvias has managed Fort Riley’s housing since 2006 and has received national awards for high customer satisfaction.

 

 

The former lead singer of the metal band, Poison, will be one of the headliners for this years Sundown Salute July 4th Celebration in Junction City.

Sharon Glessner, Sundown Salute Executive Director announced Thursday that Bret Michaels will headline on Sunday, July 3rd.

“We thought people would be more apt to come out and hang out, and enjoy the concert more without having to go to work the next day, as opposed to July 4th when everyone has to go to work the next day on Tuesday,” explained Glessner.

This will be Michaels’ first performance at Sundown Salute.

The headliner for July 4th will be Hells Bells, The Tribute to ACDC. They last headlined the July 4th celebration in 2014.

No other headliners were announced.

A Junction City business staple had a big day on Wednesday.

JC Livestock Sales Inc. celebrated 50 years of business with a big sale involving about 3,000 head of cattle, and visits to the sale barn by longtime friends.

Ann Langvardt has enjoyed the years with the business. “We had good customers and good buyers that have been with us for 50 years. ” And she added, “Without good customers and good buyers it wouldn’t have lasted, but it has lasted because we have good people around and good quality cattle.”

Laverne and Marie Langvardt, Howard and Ann Langvardt got the business started. Ann, working with her late husband, Howard, and the other family members  started on the ground floor and has learned most aspects of the

business. “I’ve done everything but auctioneer. I will not do that. I’ve helped drive cattle, and helped drive hogs, helped pen them, clerked and weighed and was at the seller’s window and the buyer’s window.” Her favorite aspect is simply seeing the  customers and the people.

There were customers and friends from the local area, across the state and region in attendance Wednesday at JC Livestock Sales

where you could see family members working and helping serve the customers. There was a big turnout in both the arena for the livestock auction, and in the adjacent restaurant for a mid-day meal of hamburgers and pulled pork.

Ann’s sons Karl, Mitch, and Lynn and their families are all a part of this operation.

As for Ann she plans to continue  right on enjoying JC Livestock Sales.

Release from 1st Infantry Divsion Public Affairs

FORT RILEY, Kan. – Military leaders from six states throughout the Midwest will converge on Fort Riley Feb. 11 for the Total Army Conference, hosted by the 1st Infantry Division.

The conference will facilitate increased partnership among active-duty Army, National Guard and Reserve units and help those units identify training opportunities at Fort Riley over the next five years.

Adjutant generals from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma will participate in the conference, along with leaders from the Army National Guard’s 35th Infantry Division, headquartered in Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Army Reserve’s 451st Expeditionary Sustainment Command out of Wichita, Kansas.

Nearly 100 people filled the Chapman USD 473 Board of Education meeting room Monday evening to show their support for Superintendent of Schools Lacee Sell.

In January the Board voted not to extend her contract by one year, meaning her current contract expires in June of 2017.

Those who spoke want the Board to reconsider that decision. District employee Ron Jones said some of the words he had heard about that decision ranged from unbelievable and unreal to devastated and shocked. “I had heard second-hand that one Board member couldn’t believe that this was that big of a deal. I would just ask that Board member what school district you’ve been representing? To not have a better feel for the patrons you represent is unbelievable to me.”

Jones compared this situation to the 2008 tornado that hit Chapman. “Both have been destructive. The difference is this storm was man made and unnecessary. The morale has suffered and the district has been given a black eye. I respectfully ask that you put your egos and personal agendas in your back pocket, and address this issue again.”

Chapman High School student Jacob Stoneberger said he wanted to discuss the renewal of Sell’s contract on behalf of the student body at the high school. “I and many others including students, parents and other constituents of USD 473 question the legitimacy of not renewing the two-year contract of Mrs. Sell. Although there may be a hidden agenda that many are not aware of I believe there should be an open communication from the Board to the patrons of the school district.”

Typically school boards cannot comment publicly on personnel matters or discussions that were held during executive session.

Chapman Elementary School cook Amy Bliesner said upon learning about the Board’s decision she wondered why was the decision made without letting the people of USD 473 and the community know why. “I thought why not support Lacee and see what we could do to keep her two-year contract and extend her past the 2017 year. ” Bliesner reported on the results of a petition that was circulated, saying there were more than 270 signatures “from the community and from the school.”

All of the speakers on the subject received strong applause from the audience attending the meeting. The Board of Education listened to the public but took no action Monday evening.

On whether the Board can take another vote on the issue BOE President Judd Liebau noted he was uncertain Monday evening and would have to check. “I know that there are some timing restrictions when it comes to administrative personnel. ” Liebau added, “As far as we’re concerned right now as far as I know the next time we deal with this is a year from the last time we dealt with it.” That would be in January of 2017.

The Board vote last month not to extend Sell’s contract was 5-2. Liebau was one of the members who voted in favor of an extension.

Lacee Sell told JC Post she was thankful for the support that was shown. She called it heartwarming, “It helps me continue to know that the work that I am doing is the right work for the right reasons and for the right people.” Sell added she is hopeful the issue will come back up before the Board again.  She noted she would like to receive an extension, make whatever improvements are necessary, and would like to continue serving as superintendent of Chapman USD 473.

Retired Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of the Association of the United States Army, visited Fort Riley Friday.

Sullivan served at Fort Riley when he was a Lt. Col. and later served as the Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division from July 1988-July 1989, while stationed in Germany.

During his visit he received an aerial tour of the post, visited soldiers in the field, and had an opportunity to speak with leaders of both Fort Riley and the surrounding communities. On his thoughts of the tour he explained he was impressed with how much the post has changed since the last time he was here.

“The amount of money that’s been spent here, the improvements, big improvements. The deployability out of here, Manhattan airfield, and the rail head. The training area. The enhancement of the new hospital which is in some state of being completed. And the housing, it’s great. We’re hitting the families, and the training, the readiness of the soldiers, and the guard, and the reserves, you know everything. It’s great,” said Sullivan.

As the President and CEO of the Association of the United States Army his responsibilities encompass both daily business operating and strategy planning for the largest Army-oriented non-profit association. He’s also a large advocate for a strong Army.

“I want an Army of a million and a half. I want it to go back to what it was, because I think the whole international scene has gone back to where it was, and I think we should put the Army back at a million and a half. I don’t think it should be any less than a million, but it should go back up to 1.5 men and women active guard and reserve.”

Sullivan went on to say that if the Government doesn’t increase the size of the Army he’s thinks,”we’re going to regret it.”

Commissioned as an armor officer in 1959, Sullivan served more than 36 years before retiring in 1995. He has held AUSA’s top spot since 1998.

Thirty-nine year old James Henning has been given a controlling term of two life prison sentences  with the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Henning was sentenced Thursday in Geary County District Court on earlier convictions on multiple charges including two counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties with a Child, three counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, four counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and one charge of Rape. The charges had stemmed from the September 2014 time frame. The victim was his eight-year old daughter.

In court a tearful Henning apologized for his actions. As to why he commited them he stated if he knew he didn’t think he would here ( in court ) now.  Henning also stated,”I do not believe I am a bad person.” And he noted, “regardless of my sentence I will pay for the crims for the rest of my life.” He stated that words couldn’t describe his sorrow and regret.

The defense asked for a durational departure on the sentence, and sought a term of 155 months. The lengthy military service to the country by Henning and lack of any criminal history were cited in support of the motion. Henning served 19 years in the military, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and had served as a military policeman. He served six overseas tours of duty.  The standard 25-year to life sentence that applied on the charges in this case was described as essentially a cookie cutter approach.

Prosecutor Michelle Brown opposed any type of departure in sentencing, noting that life was the presumptive sentence on each count. She added letters written by Henning since his arrest showed no remorse, that he had blamed his eight-year old child for sexually provoking him, and still maintained he did nothing wrong. Brown said there was nothing to justify a departure.  The court did not grant the departure request.

In announcing the sentence in the case the judge granted good time credit for time already served….in this case 436 days in jail. Henning does have a right to appeal in his case.

Henning was arrested on Nov. 25, 2014 by Junction City police at his 123 East 12th Street residence in Junction City.