The blue-green algae cell counts and toxin levels remain extremely high in Zone C of Milford Lake forcing a third week of a closed status for that portion of the lake.

RJ Harms, Corps of Engineers Project Manager at Milford Lake went over the results from this week’s blue-green algae testing.

“High levels again, up around 60 million cell count and 3,200 with the toxin level, which anything above a 20 is a warning. So, really high levels of toxin still showing up at the Timber Creek area up there in Zone C,” said Harms.

Cell Counts and toxin levels in Zone B also increased into a Watch Level. Zone A remains clear.

The closure of Zone C comes at a bad time as the waterfowl hunting season opens up Saturday.

“As a precautionary measure up there (Zone C), we’re going to have additional signage really warning those hunters that may have dogs with them for retrieving waterfowl to be extra cautious with that.”

Harms explained that it is unusual for them to see this type of issue this late into the season saying that even the KDHE typically stops testing at the end of October.

“They weren’t planning on coming back, but due to the really high levels and the size of Milford Lake they didn’t want to quit testing when we’re still having issues out here. They are scheduled to come back out next week, and we will continue to monitor this until it finally does dissipate and we can just be in a clear status through the winter months.”

Under a complete closure the Corps of Engineers does place barricades in front of the boat ramps in Zone C and restricts all water contact. Boating and fishing is still permitted under a watch status.

The man accused in the March 15th death of Sharon Moody, 52,  of Junction City, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Geary County District Court. That hearing had been scheduled Wednesday ( Oct. 28 ).

Geary County Attorney Steve Opat reported that Daniel E. Edwards waived his preliminary hearing, and a December 2 arraignment date was set in District Court. Opat confirmed earlier this year that he had filed charges of First Degree Murder, felony First Degree Murder, and Aggravated Robbery against Edwards.

Moody’s body was found on March 15th at her     1015 West 9th Street home in Junction City. Later that night Edwards was apprehended by authorities in Topeka, was interviewed by Junction City police detectives in connection with the case, and later arrested. He was 34 years old at the time of his arrest.

Edwards remains incarcerated in the Geary County Detention Center. His bond is one million dollars.

WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) welcomed many Veterans from Kansas to their Honor Flight. Huelskamp was able to meet Veteran Weldon Folwell (Army) from Junction City.

Huelskamp released the following statement: “On behalf of a grateful nation, I was honored to welcome Veterans to Washington D.C. to see their memorials during their Honor Flight. These Veterans put it all on the line to serve our nation. It’s always a privilege to meet American heroes and thank these them.”

During the trip Folwell’s daughter Patty Folwell Blaylock noted there was a mail call for the veterans. “I actually reached out to the commanding general at Fort Riley, and he wrote my father.” Blaylock added that the general’s letter stated, “You and the soldiers you served with helped pave the way for today’s soldiers. I hope that you enjoy your honor flight and the reunion with your fellow soldiers. The time you get to spend with each other will be some of your best memories.  Enjoy. Duty first. Wayne W. Grigsby.”

Blaylock also noted that the general added a couple of handwritten paragraphs. “Thanks for your leadership, selflessness, service and all you have done. And thank you for serving in Korea and Vietnam, especially as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam.”

Folwell served 22 years in the U.S. Army, and retired in 1968 at Fort Riley.

 

When Geary County decided to create a Human Resources Department they hired Lisa Eickholt as the first HR Director, that was 18 years ago.

On Friday Eickholt bid farewell during her retirement party at the Geary County Office Building.

“It’s been a long time coming I guess, and yet it came here so fast,” said Eickholt. “These people that I work with are definitely like family, and so it makes it kind of hard to think that I won’t be in here Monday and see the family.”

Eickholt won’t be leaving the HR profession as she will be working independently with a human resources consulting firm, McGrath Human Resources Group, Wonder Lake, Illinois as a human resource consultant. She will remain based in Geary County and working from a home office.

Eickholt’s successor, Jonathon Thummel is a former Human Resource Director in Shawnee County and has been on the job for almost a month.

 

Update:

An Oct. 29 preliminary hearing and status check date has been set for Scott Wayne Aldrich Jr. in Geary County District Court in this case. The status check is cheduled at 9 a.m. and the preliminary hearing at 1:30, although it is not uncommon for preliminary hearings to be continued to a later date.

Aldrich is free on $5,000 bond.

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The Geary County Sheriff is releasing information on a case that occurred earlier in the week involving a blast caused by a home-made explosive device.

Tony Wolf, Sheriff, said about 10 p.m. Monday the Sheriff’s office and Junction City EMS responded to the 3800 block of K-157 Highway for a reported gunshot wound. After arriving on scene Deputies discovered inconsistencies with the original report.

Further investigation by the Geary County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division revealed that the victim, Mark Ayers, 25, Junction City, sustained major wounds to his lower extremities as the result of a blast caused by a home-made explosive device.   Ayers was transported by Life Star to Salina Regional Health Center.

Scott Wayne Aldrich Jr., 28, was arrested on suspicion of Aggravated Battery and Criminal Use of Explosives.  The Sheriff’s Department Investigations Division is continuing to investigate the incident.

When the new Walmart Neighborhood Market opens in November, there are expected to be traffic congestion issues on both Mcfarland and Caroline Avenues.

Leon Osbourn, Kaw Valley Engineers, told the Junction City Commission Tuesday night a study indicates there will be 5,500 vehicles per day going in and out of the parking lot at the new store….3,500 from the fueling station and 2,000 from the store. “Walmart didn’t build that store not to be busy. We’re going to be in trouble there folks. ”

Osbourn explained the action that should have occurred. “There should have been additional turn lanes put on the south side of McFarland clear around to Caroline up to their entrance.”

Osbourn said the entrances to Caroline, McFarland, and Walmart should have the turn lanes. “The pork chop out there is going to be an issue. I think if you put a stripe down the middle ( of Caroline Avenue ) you’re asking for trouble because people are going to be totally confused what to do out there.” Osbourn noted motorists are confused now, and on McFarland one of the lanes is only ten feet wide, just one foot wider than a parking stall, “not going to work.”

City officials want a meeting with engineers, and affected businesses that are nearby including Coach’s Grill and Bar, and The Animal Doctor.

Earlier this month the city commission had decided to put two yellow lines down the middle of Carolina, and short left turn lanes near both Ash and McFarland on the south and north ends of Caroline. That would leave some parking space on Caroline near Coach’s Grill and Bar for large trucks and vehicles.

Osbourn noted the parking for those businesses is on their lot. “The City didn’t guarantee them any parking on the street right-of-way. They had to meet a parking ratio when they built their buildings, and they know that.” Osbourn added when the restaurant was designed there was room in back of the building for expansion. “And those are some issued that a business man, if he’s going to stay in business, going to have to bite the bullet and spend some dollars on. I’m not saying that’s going to have to happen immediately, but once Walmart opens up just sit back. It’s going to be interesting.”

Junction City MayorMick McCallister said City officials think the traffic will be a serious problem, and there will be a traffic issue there. “To get out in front of it and get ahead of it we’re going to meet with the engineers and with the folks that did the traffic study and determine what’s the best route we need to go. ”

McCallister also noted some businesses in that area will be affected. “We have to get together and get those folks together and come up with a solution. No matter what that solution is we have to have a better solution that what we have now. ” McCallister said in his opinion the streets involve there need to be widened.

 

Her album “New Shade of Blue” peaked at number nine in the Billboard Top Blues album chart.

American blues pianist, singer and songwriter Kelley Hunt will perform in Junction City on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the C. L. Hoover Opera House.

“I’m primarily a songwriter so there is a thread of blues in most everything I do. I’m really influenced by all kinds of things, and I love all kinds of music. ” Hunt added it’s the song that’s important to her. “I like to tell a good story. I was really attracted to the blues when I was growing up because a lot of the music my parents and my older brother and sister were listening to.”

In 2006 Hunt was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame. She has produced album titles ranging from “Inspiration” to the “Beautiful Bones,” the latter released in 2014.

Kelley Hunt grew up in Emporia, and today lives in Lawrence, but travels the nation and overseas performing. She has toured North American and Europe.

A November 9th date has been set in Geary County District Court for a 17-year old Junction City youth, Jalen Eddington, on motions to certify him as an adult.

Eddington faces charges in two separate cases.

According to the Geary County Attorney Steve Opat, Eddington is charged in one case with Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Damage to property and with committing Criminal Damage to property. The first count stems from the Sept. 7 time frame, and the second charge from damage done to vehicles at Jim Clark Chevrolet Cadillac on Aug. 11. Both are felony allegations.

The same charges have been filed against two other juveniles in that case, 17-year old Jase Edward McCray and 16-year old John Alexander Williams, both of Junction City. Motions to certify as adults will be heard for McCray and Williams in district Court on Nov. 16.

Geary County Attorney Steve Opat confirmed there is the potential for more charges to be filed against the three juveniles. He is currently reviewing 120 cases stemming from a series of damage to property cases where b-b guns were allegedly used to shoot windows out of vehicles.

In a separate case the CountyAttorney’s Office confirmed Jalen Eddington is facing four criminal charges including Rape, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, and two counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties. The alleged victim was under 14 years of age. A motion to certify Edington will also be heard in that case on Nov. 9.

Rebekah Thomas and Gabriel Anderson have been named the Geary County 4-H girl and boy of the year, respectively.

The were recognized at the annual 4-H Achievement Celebration in Junction City Sunday evening.

Thomas has been involved with 4-H for 11 years.  “It’s a great honor to be the Girl of the Year because it’s my 11th year in 4-H. This is one of the awards I’ve been looking forward to achieving.

Anderson said the honor was touching, “because I’ve only been in 4-H for two years now, so for me to get Boy of the Year makes me feel like I’m doing something right, which is really great.”

The Scott and Jodi Zima Family were named the 4-H Family of the Year. Jodi was surprised when the announcement was made. Their history in 4-H dates back to 2007. Daughters Myla and Jaydon Zima have participated in 4-H, with Jodi noting they have participated in activities ranging from foods and photography to leadership.

The 1st Infantry Division confirmed via their Facebook page that the 1st Infantry Division Artillery was reactivated during a ceremony at the Cavalry Parade Field on post  Friday.

“Our DIVARTY, like all of our units, will conduct tough, realistic training that will build capable and adaptable leaders to face the future,” said Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley.

Division or DIVARTY, is a brigade headquarters-sized unit that has the mission of effectively synchronizing joint fires across Fort Riley and the 1st Inf.Div.

DIVARTY’s return doesn’t mean area residents will see an increase in big equipment on post. The division’s two field artillery battalions will maintain their guns and radar equipment. The biggest pieces the DIVARTY will bring is radar and communications equipment, according to Col. Thomas Bolen, the unit’s commander.

DIVARTY inactivated 10 years ago in Germany. The process began more than a year ago to reactivate DIVARTY units in the Army’s 10 divisions, and the 1st Inf. Div.’s DIVARTY is one of the last two to stand up this year.