The congregation of the Alida-Upland Cooperative Parish invite interested area residents and guests to attend a Central Flint Hills Area Quilt of Valor 2015 Project Celebration on Sunday, January 31, 1:00 P.M.at the church located at 2243 3300 Ave, Junction City.
This is one of the earlier quilts presented to a veteran during this project.
Included in the celebration will be a photo montage of the Quilts of Valor awarded to area veterans and service members prior to Veteran’s Day 2015. Also included is a showing of the moving photo tribute to veterans and service members who were awarded a Quilt of Valor through the Project in 2015. The photo tribute premiered at the 2015 Veteran’s Day observance.
Quilt of Valor 2015 recipients, their families and friends, supporters of the project, quilt makers, military veterans and service members, and community members are invited to attend the celebration. Quilt of Valor 2015 recipients are invited to bring their quilt to display during the celebration.
Plans for the Quilt of Valor 2016 Project will also be presented.
The Alida-Upland Cooperative Parish is located just off Hwy 244 west of Milford Lake, approximately 11 miles northwest of Junction City.
For additional information contact Donna Martinson at 785-238-7303.
The City of Junction City has yet to take possession of the new Municipal Court building but the Commission along with court employees and other city officials had the opportunity to tour the new facility Wednesday evening.
The tour was requested by the City Commission during their regular meeting on January 5th, as the project is just a couple of months away from being a full year behind schedule.
Originally the City expected to take possession of the building in April of 2015, delays during construction pushed that back later in the year. In November of last year it was stated that the final punch list had well over 200 items on it and Allen Dinkel, City Manager, explained the City would not take possession of the building until everything on that list, within reason, was complete. As of Wednesday night the punch list was down to under ten.
“Some of those items are exterior items, and so it only makes sense to wait until the weather is conducive,” said Dinkel.
After looking things over Mayor Mick McCallister feels the City is now just a couple of weeks away from taking possession of the building.
“I think we’re very close to moving into the building,” said McCallister. “I think that the Architect is working very hard with the General Contractor, and I think within a couple of weeks we ought to be in here.”
The Commissioners were able to see most of the items that are left on the punch list during their walk through.
“We’re looking at some things like the door stops on some of the trim pieces, they don’t go all the way to the floor. There’s some electrical things that need to be done. The bullet proof glass on the desk area, there were some chips in it so we need to get that straightened out and get that done properly,” said Commissioner Pat Landes.
It is still unclear on what will happen next when the City does take possession of the building. The contract did include penalties including $100 a day for liquidated damages, but it’s currently unknown how much will the City assess the damages.
The commission is expected to discuss the project again more in-depth during their February 2nd meeting. When they will take possession and the early talks of how much of the penalties will be assessed could come out at that meeting.
There is a delay in the arrival of public transportation buses that will be provided for use by aTa Bus on new fixed bus routes in Junction City.
That was confirmed by Geary County Commissioner Florence Whitebread, who noted they are now not expected to come in until about the first of February. “And once they do it will take another four to six weeks to get them ready for the routes so that has set that back to at least sometime the first part of March.”
County officials had hoped to have the routes in place, and the buses operating sometime in January.
aTa Buses transportation can be arranged at the present time in Junction City via appointment. You can get rides to work or various appointments in Junction City and Manhattan.
The life of Martin Luther King Jr. was full of peace, ups and downs, and those attending the King Day celebration in Junction City were there to help keep his dream alive.
Those were comments by Fort Riley Garrison Commander, Colonel Andrew Cole, who noted that there is no doubt that there is plenty of for improvement in race relations. And in 2015 there were some low moments with incidents in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland among others.
But Cole also challenged the audience at the C. L. Hoover Opera House to not let the headlines cause them to be jaded, and also not to ignore the problems.
Cole said King’s dream is alive, and he sees it day in and day out at Fort Riley with soldiers of every color interacting, with different backgrounds and histories accomplishing the seemingly impossible through teamwork. “They are the epitome of Dr. King’s dream.”
The celebration also included the recognition of former Buffalo Soldiers MSG ( Ret. ) Nolan Self and 1SG ( Ret. ) Albert Curley, who received standing ovations from the audience.
The Geary County Children’s Choir and representatives from the 1st Infantry Division Band performed during the ceremony.
The USD 473 Chapman Board of Education has voted against a motion to extend the contract of Superintendent Lacee Sell.
Sell informed JC Post that the superintendent’s contract was on the Board’s agenda last Monday as an action item. The motion to extend the contract failed 2-5. She reported that Board members Bob Haynes and Judd Liebau voted in favor of the extension, while Board members John Hultgren, Joe Miller, Brian Rock, Todd Frieze, and Mitch Langvardt voted no.
The current contract runs through June 30, 2017. Sell told JC Post historically, typically, a superintendent is on a contract two years out. “Well I had two that were in favor of doing so and five that voted against. So as of right now, unfortunately, it looks like my career at 473 might be coming to an end next June ( 2017 ).
JC Post asked Sell if she would remain in the job through June 2017? “I am going to do my absolute best to do that. The Board doesn’t feel that my performance is good enough to extend my contract two years out. There are some things that I am going to have to solve on my own in regard to my own thoughts and feelings about this. I say yes to that because every decision that I have ever made has been in the best interest of our kids. My absolute intention is to continue leading every day and to make decisions upon what’s best for our kiddos.”
On the reason why the contract is not being extended Sell said it’s based upon performance. “Concerns of things that I have been asked to do in the past and have done differently, and tried to change, and maybe that wasn’t good enough. ” Sell added, “Some opinion is thrown in there. Maybe some communication about possibly over communicating….I needing for communication to be a two-way street. ”
Sell called the decision devastating in light of the accomplishments that have occurred for the staff and students in USD 473. “( USD ) 473 has come a long way in the past few years. I’m not trying to be arrogant by any means, but we have great people doing great things with great kids. I’m right there beside everyone, and I want to continue to be part.” Sell added her intention is to continue leading every day in the way she knows how.
On whether the school board might reconsider the decision and extend the contract, Sell said, “Absolutely. I pray for that and I hope for that. I hope that there’s a change of heart and we can get on the same page as far as what expectations of me need to be so I can meet whatever those are, and absolutely. I haven’t given my heart, and my time and my soul the past five years just to turn and walk away.”
While contract renewal typically occurs in January, the Board could at any time vote to extend it, if the members choose to do so.
In a prepared statement Sell also wrote, “Yes, there have been areas of conflict and differences of opinion between myself and some board members as I suspect happens from time to time in any organization. I do not believe any of that rises to the level of me not performing my job at a high level and not having my contract extended.”
There was an attempt to contact different board members on this story, but at this point there has been no public comment to JC Post on this matter. Some of those we tried to reach were unavailable.
Kevin Royse is resigning from his post as Junction City Fire Chief to become the Fire Chief in Salina.
Kevin Royse
Royse confirmed for JC Post he will step down in Junction City on January 29, and begin work in Salina on February 15.
Royse said the position in Salina is a nationally accredited fire department, and there are only four of those in Kansas. “Salina is a little bit larger than Junction City here, and they just have a well trained, well managed Fire / EMS Department.”
Royse noted the Salina Fire Department has 94 employees and four fire stations. That compares with 51 employees and two stations in Junction City. He has served as Fire Chief in Junction City since July of 2013.
Junction City Manager Allen Dinkel said Royse was an asset to the community and added that Royse was also a great asset to the fire department. The city manager indicated he would probably appoint an acting chief before Royse leaves, and then begin the selection process and work forward.
The gas leak that occurred on 18th Street Thursday afternoon on the north side of Junction City has been repaired.
Junction City Public Works Director Ray Ibarra confirmed repairs were finished about 7 p.m.
Ibarra reported that a contractor doing a sewer clean for the City on 18th between Jackson and Jefferson Streets hit a gas line while cleaning the sewer line. The gas line had been bored through the sewer line. Kansas Gas Service was called to the scene. “We also had the Fire Department out there because of the gas pipe that was spewing the gas.” The gas was then shut off. “They pulled that line out of our line, and they went and bored another line to Domino’s, is I believe the gas line that was serving there.” The line went from Domino’s underneath the city street to the curb on the other side of the roadway.
There were no injuries reported in this incident.
Update 1:50 p.m.
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges is reporting that eastbound traffic on 18th street between Jackson and Washington Streets is still being detoured following a gas leak in that area. “Anybody going westbound from Washington to Jackson Street, we’re just getting ready to open that up. What it looks like, the City had contracted with a cleaning crew to clean out the main sewer line. The machine they were using somehow struck a gas line that was inside the sewer line, or whatever, which was right across from Dominos Pizza, causing the gas leak and causing us to shut down this area.”
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A gas leak was reported just after one p.m. Thursday on the north side of Junction City.
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said it involved a contractor working in the area on 18th street between Washington and Jackson Street, “hit a pipeline, a gas line, or something. We’ve got a strong odor of gas in the area. We’ve got 18th Street shut off all the way from Jackson down to Washington Street.”
No injuries have been reported.
Berges added officials need the public to remain out of the area and let emergency responders and gas company personnel take their necessary actions.
No one has been evacuated, said Berges. “Right now we’re not evacuating people. We’re just keeping out of the area by driving through.”
The three Junction City men arrested this week on suspicion of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Kidnapping, and Aggravated Robbery had a first appearance in Geary County District Court Thursday.
According to a check with the Geary County Attorney’s office, bond was set at $100,000 apiece for Ronald Haywood Jr., Erick Wiseman, and Michael White. Status check and preliminary hearings for all three men have been scheduled on January 21 in Geary County District Court.
Sheriff Tony Wolf this week reported that deputies went to a rural location near Milford on Monday night after receiving a report about a kidnapping and robbery. One of the victims was shot and received medical treatment for what authorities described as a minor head wound.
The suspects were arrested when authorities served a search warrant in Junction City. During the search, authorities seized marijuana, numerous guns and suspected stolen property.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of three people, Erick Wiseman, Michael White, and Ronald Haywood Jr. all of Junction City Tuesday evening on suspicion of Attempted First Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping.
Sheriff Tony Wolf said the Sheriff’s office responded to Shandy Lane near Milford Monday night for a report of persons being kidnapped and robbed at gunpoint. During the incident, one of the victims was shot in the head with a semi-automatic handgun. That victim required minor medical treatment.
Wolf said a lengthy investigation ensued, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Johnson Drive in Junction City that resulted in the seizure of marijuana, numerous guns, and suspected stolen property. As a result all three of the subjects were arrested. Wiseman, White, and Haydood were held without bond at the Geary County Detention Center pending a first appearance in Geary County District Court.
The Leaders’ Retreat planned for next Friday and Saturday in Overland Park will cover an array of topics important to the region, including the National Bio and Agro Defense Facility, development of a strong workforce, and Fort Riley’s future.
Lyle Butler, President/CEO of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce told Junction City Post that Maj. General Wayne W. Grigsby Jr, Fort Riley Commanding General, along with Col. Andrew Cole, Fort Riley Garrison Commander, and John Armbrust, Executive Director of the Governor’s Military Council will be in attendance.
“To give an update both from the local level, as well as, the federal and state level as it relates to Fort Riley, its plans for the future,” said Butler. “I think that it will give everybody some information, and then also talk about what areas as communities we need to be working on to continue our support of Fort Riley.”
Activities are scheduled to begin with a buffet luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday the 22nd, and will including a Networking Reception from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Friday. On Saturday activities will go from 7:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
The retreat is a joint effort of the Chambers of Commerce in Junction City, Manhattan, and Wamego.
The last day to register and / or cancel a registration with a refund is Friday, January 15. Substitute attendees and guests are welcome. Contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce to register. For lodging call the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at 913-234-2100 to book a room. The room rate is $95. The block has been reserved under the Annual Regional Leaders’ Retreat as well as the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber, and Wamego Chamber. The room rate is available until Friday, January 8.
