The Geary County Commission has approved an interlocal agreement with the City and USD 475 for a new artificial turf project at Rathert Field.

The County will put up $200,000 toward the project from a special one-cent transient guest tax. The City will provide a portion of the funding, a private donor some of the funding, and the school district some in-kind services.

The County portion of the funding had been collected to help fund a possible sports complex, but instead will be used for this project. Commissioner Keith Ascher noted it’s been clear for some time that a sports complex will not happen right away. “Whether it be land availability, or whatever. And I think this is a really good way to give some seed money to get something started. I think we’ve got a real gem in Rathert Field, so that’s probably the biggest reason.”

Commissioner Ben Bennett said he’s looking forward to the turf at Rathert Field. “I think it’s a good addition to our community, and also will help us market the field for games and activities.” He added if done correctly and managed correctly that could lead to additional transient guest tax revenue, “by utilizing it for games and activities that would cause overnight stays, tournaments.”

The school board has not yet taken action on the agreement, but it is expected to go before them at a future meeting. The Junction City Commission has approved the agreement.

Tobacco use remains a key risk factor for many adverse health outcomes. Geary County Fetal Infant Mortality Review has identified community tobacco cessation as a key recommendation from case reviews. Agencies from across the Geary Community community have joined forces to address this public health issue with emphasis ranging from tobacco free parks to new, incentive-based quit programs.

Tobacco Free JC Quit Program is a locally-developed program available at the Geary County Health Department, Geary Community Hospital and Konza Prairie Community Health Center. Participants will have the opportunity to access evidence-based tobacco cessation resources with the help of an in-person Quit Coach, and earn up to $75 in gas cards or diapers and wipes. This Delivering Change – Healthy Families Healthy Communities collaborative project, is funded by a community grant from the Kansas Chapter of the March of Dimes.

For more information visit the new Tobacco Free JC Website at www.tobaccofreejc.org.

On August 7th, the City of Junction City put into effect a resolution promoting a tobacco-free environment at outdoor recreational areas within the city.

Community partners are drafting a strategic plan that will outline community tobacco cessation efforts and the various grants that fund those projects. Community partners include: Central Kansas Foundation, Delivering Change – healthy Families Healthy Communities, Fort Riley Department of Public Health, Geary County Health Department & WIC, Geary Community Healthcare Foundation, Geary Community Hospital, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Konza Prairie Community Health Center, Live Well Geary County – Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas.

Geary County Fetal Infant Mortality Review is a collaborative project of the Geary County Health Department and the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation. FIMR is a community-based and action-oriented process to improve service systems and resources for women, infants and families.

There are 97 Soldiers and 49 host families participating in the Home Away from Home program coordinated by Junction City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald.

During a visit on the JC Now show on 1420 KJCK AM, 107.9 FM, it was noted that Fitzgerald has applications from Soldiers wanting to enter the program. Host families are needed. “As I get host families I will start comparing their likes and interests and work on making that connection. ”

Fitzgerald said the families will meet the Soldiers. “A lot of the host families will stay in touch with their Soldier, text or call. A lot of the Soldiers today they do like to text and the Soldier will check in with their host family.” No specific time commitment is needed for families. For example you might have a Soldier over to your home for dinner or attend an event together.

To register as a host family, click on a link at the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council web site for the Home Away from Home program. Registration forms are available at that site.

The Coors Banquet rat ( gerbil #6  ) crossed the finish line first in the Rat Races Saturday night at the Elks Lodge in Junction City. The occasion was a fundraiser for Sundown Salute, the Fourth of July celebration in the community.

The Director of the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Michelle Stimatze, said it was their first fundraiser for the 2019 celebration. “I think probably our proceeds are probably a little bit over $1,000, $1,200, so great event.

Stimatze said officials are looking at an overall budget of about $65,000 that will be needed for Sundown Salute in 2019. “We’re trying to do some different fundraising events to get different crowds and hope for the best.” The next fundraiser will be “Dueling Pianos” on Saturday, January 26th, at the Courtyard By Marriott Convention Center.

David I. Drummond will serve as the keynote speaker for the Geary County Veterans Alliance Veterans Day ceremony. It will be held Monday, November 12th at 11 a.m. at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.

Drummond served on the staff and faculty of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College for more than 30 years. He completed his 42 years of federal service as the deputy director of the Command and General Staff School and retired on June 2, 2006. Prior to joining the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Drummond served as an officer in the Army.

The master of ceremonies for the ceremony will be Lee Bliss.

Milford Lake has been up more than eight feet this past week due to the necessity to hold back water to prevent downstream flooding.

Corps of Engineers were hopeful that they could begin releasing 1,000 cubic feet per second on Friday, but downstream conditions were still too high to increase the releases.

The latest forecast indicated releases could possibly begin on Sunday.

The current lake elevation is 1153.53, and the current inflows at the Clay Center gauge total 1110 cfs.

Senator Jerry Moran confirmed they included the approximate 3,500 member 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division which will deploy to Europe, the 1st ID 1st Combat Aviation Brigade of about 2,200 soldiers will deploy to Europe and the 1st ID Sustainment Brigade will deploy to Afghanistan all as part of the winter 2018-19 rotation.

Moran stated they are significant deployments from Fort Riley. “it highlights the value of Fort Riley to the Army. It highlights the importance of the Soldiers that are there and train there to defend our country to complete missions around the globe.”

Moran noted it’s a sad time for families and their Soldiers as the deployments occur. “It means once again the Fort Riley communities will have to rally around those families while the deployments occur. It also means that people who live in our community aren’t going to be here for nine months.” The Senator said the absence of those Soldiers mean fewer people in town and it means that we’re all going to have to pull together to make sure good things continue to happen in the Fort Riley region.”

The deployments will be for a nine month period. The precise dates have not yet been released.

GEARY COUNTY – Today, special agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, the KBI arrested Anthony J. “Tony” Wolf, 44, at approximately 9 a.m., at the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, 826 N. Franklin St. in Junction City. He was arrested for felony theft, for allegedly giving a county-owned firearm as a gift to a third party, and for misuse of public funds. The misuse of public funds allegation asserts Wolf used public dollars in a manner not authorized by law.

The KBI initiated this investigation in August. The findings were presented to Dickinson County Attorney Andrea Purvis, who was appointed as special prosecutor for the case, and a warrant was obtained for Wolf’s arrest.

Following the arrest, Wolf was booked into the Geary County Jail, and then released on bond. He is on administrative leave.

Wolf told JCPost.com that the case “is weak, it’s false. They haven’t got all the story straight. That’ll come out in the coming weeks. ” Wolf stated that he placed himself on administrative leave. Undersheriff Brad Clark will oversee operations of the department while Wolf is on administrative leave.

The Junction City Commission has approved an interlocal agreement with Geary County and USD 475 for improvements to Rathert Field. They include a new artificial turf for the infield, foul areas and warning track.

Parks and Recreation Director Ed Lazear explained the project will help alleviate rainout problems. The bid was awarded to Hellas Construction of Austin, Texas for $424,715. “They will start their process probably in November. A lot of work to be done. They have to completely remove all the infield, the outfield, put in the sub-drainage, get it tied into the storm sewer, get the turf laid down and then come back in and actually replant the grass and get the new sod going.” The outfield will remain natural grass in the future.

City Manager Allen Dinkel explained the project will be paid for via a $200,000 commitment from the county from the transient guest tax that was initially put in place for a sports complex. We have a private donation of $100,000. ” The rest of the cost will be paid for using city funds via a lease-purchase on that to possibly stretch out their funding so other work could possibly be done at Rathert Field like the outfield fence or decking improvements. That will also allow the city to continue with their plan to make budgeted upgrades at some other parks.

The Geary County Commission still has to give formal final approval on the plan but has been a regular participant in the discussions on this project.