By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

On the 154th anniversary of the day that marked the end of the Civil War, the Junction City Rotary Club dedicated their centennial project.

On Tuesday the dedication ceremony was held in Heritage Park for reproductions of the memorial plaques that have been placed adjacent to the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Memorial Arch. Rotary Club President Noel Park said after three-plus years this day has additional meaning to the community. “On this date 154 years ago was the date of the end of the Civil War. This was an end to a terrible time of division in this country. After that time this Arch was erected as a reminder of that period in history.

The chair of the Club’s 100th anniversary committee, Mary Hogan, said 2017 was the club’s 100th year anniversary. She did some research on the possibility of restoring the Arch. The Arch had to be put on historical preservation lists.

“We noticed that we could not replace the plaques because it was on the list, we can’t touch the art so we decided to recreate the plaques on a pedestal behind the Arch,” she said.

Rotary Club Past President Karen Carroll said this is a three-part process including placement of the Arch on state and national historical registers, raising funds to recreate the plaques, and the third project which still must be completed….the restoration of the Arch.

“We have shared information with the City on how to apply for a restoration grant through the state of Kansas. We have also set up a tax-deductible account with the Geary County Historical Endowment Fund so monies may be collected,” she said. “We encourage all of you to donate to this great cause.”

There are also buttons available for purchase, similar to the original campaign undertaken by community forefathers to build the Arch.

“We will raise the money one lucky penny at a time,” Carroll said.

 

 

 

The Junction City Rotary Club will dedicate their centennial project at noon Tuesday in Heritage Park.

Reproductions of the memorial plaques have been placed adjacent to the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Memorial Arch. The ceremony will also recognize major contributors for the project.

The Junction City Rotary Club was chartered in 1917.

April 9th is also the 154th anniversary of the end of the U.S. Civil War.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies were dispatched to a cabin at Acorns Resort Saturday night in reference to juveniles drinking and possibly smoking marijuana.

A total of five juveniles from Abilene were arrested. They included two female juveniles were arrested on allegations ranging from suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession Drug Paraphernalia to Minor in Possession of Alcohol to Interference with Law Enforcement, and another female juvenile on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia and Minor in Possession Alcohol.

One male juvenile was arrested for suspicion of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Minor in Possession of Alcohol, while another male juvenile was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Identity Theft, and two counts of Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

Adults arrested included:

–Colton Mcvan, Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.

–Chase Mason, Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.

–Riley Kopfer, Clay Center, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.

–David Pinedo, Abilene, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Alcohol by a Minor, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer and Contributing to a Child’s Misconduct.

The arrests occurred at 8:57 p.m. Saturday.

Bicentennial Manor residents support the I.C.A.R.E. project at the 5th Street Playground Park. They are planning to get a workout on the multi-generational playground fitness equipment designated for adults of all ages.

If you are interested in donating toward a commercial shade covering structure for the multi-generational space contact Vickie Bobbitt, Executive Director, I.C.A.R.E. 701 West 10th Street, Junction City.

The chair of the Kansas House Veterans and Military Committee, Lonnie Clark, Junction City, wants to see a 1st Infantry Division tag developed in the 2020 session of the legislature.

Clark told a legislative forum audience in Junction City he is trying to do some things Junction City residents are anxious to see happen.

“For example next session we’re going to be working on a distinctive tag for the Big Red One. Didn’t get that in this year. There were so many entities out there we did a tag for all branches of the service, but didn’t go to the individual distinctive tag for the Big Red One. ”

Clark said that will be the first item next year.

Governor Laura Kelly has signed the bill to increase public school funding. The measure was approved by the legislature this week.

Speaking at a legislative coffee in Junction City, Saturday, State Senator Jeff Longbine noted with growth the state should be in good shape, but a dip in the economy in the future could be a concern.. The measure provides an additional $92 million in funding. “For the first time ever we are in agreement between the executive branch, the legislative branch and the state school board on what the proper amount should be. We are very confident the court will look favorably on this.”

Longbine pointed to budget concerns for the future. “Schools are a component of that because of the percentage of the state general fund. When you look at our years in the budget profiles they run negative. Hopefully, the economy will stay strong, hopefully our tax revenues will continue to increase. If not we’ll hve to make some budgetary changes, but that’s nothing new for the legislature.” Longbine added adjustments can be made.

The legislation is an attempt to satisfy a Kansas Supreme Court mandate for increased school funding.

The formal grand opening for the new Orscheln Farm & Home store at 121 East Chestnut Street was held on Friday. The grand opening activities continue Saturday.

Store Manager Scott Kent said the building is brand new. “Great facility. We’ve got LED lighting, we’ve got so much more that’s added to this. We’ve got sporting goods. It’s just bigger, it’s cleaner, it’s better. ” Clothing is another strong area.

Kent said he loved the openness and brightness of the store.

Four members of the Geary County community were honored for their military service Friday in Junction City.

They included Levi “Sarge” Nelson, Raymond Padel, Andrew Craddieth and Craig Bender.

The quilts were presented during a ceremony at JC Transportation where Nelson, Padel and Craddieth are employed. Bender is the current Military Affairs Director for the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Nelson, 97 years old,  has worked for JC Transportation for 30 years.

 

 

 

By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

Meadowlark is bringing a program to Junction City to help people with Parkinson’s Disease.

Michelle Haub, Parkinson’s Program Coordinator at Meadowlark, said there are many people in the region affected by Parkinson’s. “We have a lot of individuals affected by Parkinson’s in this region. and coming to Manhattan is really hard. So we want to provide opportunities for individuals to learn and grow and live better qualities of life here in Junction City.”

The program will be offered at the Junction City Athletic Center, 935 East 4th Street,  beginning in May. There will be a Parkinson’s Education Group session at the center on Thursday, April 11th from 2-3:30 p.m. “This is an opportunity to come if you have the disease, if you have someone that you’re providing care for or if you just want to learn more about Parkinson’s Disease. ”

You will be able to learn how to cope or help someone else with the disease. A medical advisor and social worker will be present for the session.

In addition to medication, exercise can help in dealing with Parkinson’s. Rock Steady Boxing will be part of the program. Haub explained that’s where the Junction City Athletic Training Center factors in to the mix. Rock Steady Boxing has been done in Manhattan. Haub stated, “We’ve just seen amazing results with this boxing program. It’s geared and designed specifically those symptoms of Parkinson’s. So helping to address the stooped posture, the slow movement, the small gait, the quiet voice, all of those things are targeted in these boxing classes.  And so exercise is huge.”

The Rock Steady boxing classes will be offered once per week beginning in May at the Junction City Athletic Training Center. To participate in the program you must go through an evaluation so your medical background is, what needs to be watched or could put you at risk for doing a specific type of exercise. Once those who are interested have completed that step participants can then begin attending classes.

 

 

By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post 

The Geary County Commission has voted 3-0 to approve the Munson Road Maintenance Agreement.

The action by the commission during a special meeting Thursday morning means that road can be opened up for use as a haul route by contractors working on the new Junction City High School project. The Board of Education approved the agreement as well, in a special session on Wednesday.

The county had stopped Bergkamp Construction from using the road on March 24th until the maintenance agreement was finalized. Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze explained why the agreement was needed. “We have a statutory duty to protect and make sure all county roads are safe for the general public, and this is nothing new for any large project that’s going on that we don’t do.” Stimatze explained there was a similar agreement for Westar Energy, “to make sure the roads are up, safe for the other general public travel on the roads.” Westar undertook an earlier substation project in Geary County.

Signs have also been put up indicating that no tracked vehicles are allowed on Munson Road near the new school site. . Stimatze confirmed that was the case, “No tracked vehicle allowed on any county roads, especially that one there because it’s going to be around some construction equipment. ” A tracked vehicle could damage the roadway.

Stimatze also stated, “I know that if they wanted to cross the road, Cory Trumpp( ( Geary County Public Works Director )  has said that they can use steel plates, they make rubber mats, tires, whatever he agrees to that they could use to cross the road.” Tracked vehicles could also be hauled into the new school site on a trailer.