A new playground, walking trail, and wing of Washington Elementary School in Junction City have been named after the school’s late principal Lorraine Walker.

During a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony Larry Hicks, Geary County Commissioner, stated “But I knew after I went through my period of grief and sorrow that what she represented needs to be acknowledged by those she touched both personally and professionally.”

Walker served as principal at Washington Elementary School from 1988 until her death in April of 2014. She was also a teacher at the school from 1981 until 1986.   She was also active in the community, with the Second Missionary Baptist Church, the Martin Luther King Jr. committee, and she had served as president of the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library Board of Trustees.

Hicks said, “Lorraine Walker for perpetuity will have a good name in the annals of history for school district 475, as well as for the City of Junction City and Geary County. She was the embodiment of what a person of selflessness, compasion and humility should look like.”

Walker’s sister, Sabrina Ware told the audience attending the ceremony that even more than a year after her death her work continues to been seen in the school. “We continue to feel her quite humble spirit as we continue to serve and educate and encourage and lift up the children, these children, our children.”

In addition to numerous representatives from USD 475, the student body of Washington Elementary School attended the ceremony.

 

 

The Junction City Commission approved two amendments to the Engineering agreement for the sewer relocation project at K-18 and US 77.

The sewer is being relocated at that intersection due to the future Kansas Department of Transportation Project to replace the K-18 bridge and change the intersection from a clover leaf to a diamond interchange.

“What it’s done is changed the scope and we have to move the sewer line further north and it involves much more land, it involves much more fill, and it involves a sewer line that’s going to be very, very deep,” said Mayor Mick McCallister.

In total the City will have to pay an additional $16,570 in added engineering design and geotechnical work.

It was asked why the City was having to pay that additional cost when KDOT is responsible for the project change. Allen Dinkel, City Manager explained that he wasn’t entirely sure how the project was put together with KDOT because it was done before he was hired, but he does plan on meeting with KDOT in the near future to get a better understanding on that aspect.

Geary County Employee’s will begin receiving bi-weekly paychecks in October instead of monthly paychecks.

The Board of Commissioners approved the new pay schedule on Monday, despite some opposition from some employee’s according to Ben Bennett, Commission Chairman.

“Some of them felt like they didn’t have enough time, they may not have enough money to pay certain bills at certain times that they’ve budgeted for, so they’re going to have to make some adjustments,” said Bennett.

Bennett went on to say that the move isn’t something that just came out of the blue,”It’s been something we’ve discussed off and on ever since I’ve been elected, and this is my third term.”

Bennett cited that efficiency was one reason for the move. He also said that they have received reports from both the HR Department and the Sheriff’s department that they have had a hard time filling vacant positions due to former one paycheck a month schedule.

The ribbon cutting and dedication of the Lorraine Walker community Playground will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2nd at Washington Elementary School in Junction City.

Geary USD 475 will cut the ribbon on the new playground in her memory. Walker,  was the principal at Washington Elementary up until her death in April of 2014.

One man is in custody following a police chase that led officers down I-70 and eventually US 77 to near Herrington.

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf explained that Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a man throwing items off the K-18 bypass over I-70 Friday afternoon, and when they went to check it out the man jumped in his vehicle and took off west bound on I-70.

While on I-70 speeds exceeded 90 mph at times. The suspect then exited I-70 at exit 295 and headed south on US 77.

According to Wolf while on US 77 speeds never exceeded 60 mph, and the suspect eventually turned off of US 77 onto Hwy 4 and stopped. He was then taken into custody without incident.

The suspects name has not been released at this time and no other information is being released while the incident remains under investigation.

As a result of samples collected Aug. 24, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has recommended that all zones ( A, B, C ) at Milford Lake be listed in a “Warning” status. The information was released by R. J. Harms, Operations Project Manager for the Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake.

Harms stated cell counts increased dramatically in the last week at the Milford State Park beach area and Milford City boat ramp while same results from Zone C at Timber Creek and the City of Wakefield remain high.

Signs at all blue green algae information locations will be changed to reflect the current information.

As a result of the current tests, designated beaches operated by the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park will be closed until further testing, scheduled for Aug. 31.

During a warning direct contact with the water such as swimming or jet skiing is discouraged, but not prohibited. All boating and fishing are permitted.

 

 

Riley County police are searching for a suspect in the Wednesday morning robbery of the Sunflower Bank in the 2700 block of Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.

Police spokesman Matt Droge told Little Apple Post that officers set up a perimeter searching for a suspect.  The description of that suspect described him as a white man, approximately 5’10, a larger build, wearing dark clothes, had a dark backpack, and was wearing glasses and a ball cap. The suspect left the scene in an unknown direction.

Investigators are trying to track down leads. Droge stated no arrests have been made. “We are currently asking that anyone in the public that has information about this crime to utilize the Manhattan / Riley County Crimestoppers. ” That telephone number is 785-539-7777. You can contact them online at manhattanrileycountycrimestoppers.com. You can also call the Riley County Police Department at 785-537-2112.

Droge said the robbery occurred just before 10:20 a.m.

 

The Orthopedic Clinic at Geary Community Hospital is continuing to see patients following the July 29th arrest and temporary suspension of its Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Allan D. Holiday Jr..

Dr. Joseph Stratton, Hospital CEO confirmed Tuesday that GCH has brought in some temporary Physicians to oversee the clinic on a part-time basis.

“We had Dr. Browning from Kirksville, Missouri, who spent the last week or so with us, and we have another Physician coming in, I think it’s another week off yet. But we’re trying to keep the clinic going, keep those services, at least clinic services, provided on a local basis,” said Stratton.

On the overall financial picture of the Hospital since Dr. Holliday’s temporary suspension, Stratton said the last month’s financials were alright.

“Our revenue was pretty solid overall, inpatient/outpatient this past month. Our expenses were up a hair, but we were ok. You have to look at the whole context of a department and revenue as how it fits into a whole, you have to look at one individual and how it fits into the whole of the organization. We’re doing ok, we’re moving ahead, but obviously there is an impact when you have a Surgeon that’s not doing surgery due to a suspension of privileges.”

The size of impact it will have remains unknown at this point.

Holiday is free on $50,000 bond and is awaiting a September 24th status check hearing in Geary County District Court.

 

A new October 5 trial date has been scheduled in Geary County District Court for James Henning, Junction City, and motions in his case are scheduled to be heard on September 9.  The trial had been scheduled to begin September 1.

That information was provided by Michelle Brown, Assistant Geary County Attorney, who told JC Post that Henning waived his right to a speedy trial and a jury. Also the parties in the case will allow the court to read a transcript of an August 11 motion hearing.

Those were the developments in Henning’s case Monday in District Court.

Henning is charged with five counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, and one count of Aggravated Indecent Liberties With a Child.  He was arrested last November 25 by Junction City police at his 123 East 12th Street residence in connection with the alleged distribution of child pornography.

This years Westwood Elementary School students will always be a part of the new addition currently being built on the schools north side, after they all signed a beam that will be placed somewhere in the addition.

Kimberly Dressman, Westwood Elementary School Principal explained that the Hutton Construction crew came up with the idea of letting the students sign one of the beams.

“I was so excited that they had thought about the Westwood students and the community here because it gives the kids here a chance to be involved in whats going on and they can remember this. When they look in that new addition they will see that beam and then they will remember this,” said Dressman.

The new addition is adding four classrooms and a music room with additional bathrooms. It will also double as a storm shelter.

When asked what the best part of the new addition will be 10 year-old Brianna Hyler, a 5th grader at Westwood Elementary said it’s the added space.

“It means we’ll get more space and we wont’ be so crammed into classrooms,” said Brianna.

The new addition is expected to open in November.