UPDATE:

An earthquake did occur Friday morning in Junction City. Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges has confirmed that a 2.6 magnitude occurred at 4:28 a.m.. It was centered in the area of Webster, Jackson and Elm Streets.

Berges noted officials confirmed the occurrence of an earthquake through a U.S> Geological Survey website.  There have been no reports of damage or injuries.

It is the second earthquake to in or near Junction City this month.

—-

Was it an earthquake that was heard and felt in Junction City about 4:30 a.m. Friday? We’re not sure yet.

We’re getting reports of a loud bang followed by a brief shaking of the earth about that time. JCPost.com checked with police dispatch who have heard the same reports. They do not report any injuries or damage.

If more information develops we will post it here.

The Corps of Engineers have increased the water releases incrementally at Milford and Tuttle Creek Reservoirs this past week as the flow on the Missouri River at Waverly allowed, staying within permissible release criteria.

Milford is releasing 4,000 cubic feet per second and may be increased to 5,000 cubic feet per second if hydrologic conditions allow within the next few days. Excess storage will be evacuated close to the seasonal target.

Tuttle Creek is releasing 12,000 cubic feet per second and storage will be evacuated close to the seasonal target.

The new superintendent of schools in Geary USD 475 needs to have a strategic plan, needs to become acquainted with community leaders and it would be good to see someone hired with experience with special education. Those were some of the ideas submitted by the public Wednesday night to consultants who are spearheading the search for a new superintendent.

Brenda Dietrich, a consultant with Ray & Associates, said over the past two days the consultants had met with 17 different constituent groups. “What we’re hearing are some common themes about the next superintendent, the qualities and characteristics that folks want to see in that person. Probably first and foremost is some who is very visible and engaged in the community and in the schools and is a strong leader.” Dietrich added they want that leader to give vision and direction to the district, set high standards, be collaborative and approachable and has the best interests of the student in mind.

The importance for the new superintendent to become acquainted with the leadership at Fort RIley, and for the superintendent to be seen in the district’s buildings were two other key point by members of the audience attending the Wednesday night session at Junction City Middle School.

Dietrich said the consultants will compile all the information they have received the past two days and from an online survey the public has been taking, and bring that back to the Board of Education on October 1st “The application opens on October 2nd and will be open for 30 days.” They will return to the Board on November 18th with a pool of candidates for them to consider to interview.”

The goal is for the Board to hire a new superintendent by the winter break of this school year. It’s possible the new superintendent might not start working in the district immediately, but could begin on July 1st, 2019.

 

TOPEKA—The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission is seeking nominations to fill a district judge vacancy in Geary County created by the January 1 retirement of Judge Maritza Segarra. The 8th Judicial District is composed of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties. Justice Marla Luckert, the Supreme Court departmental justice responsible for the 8th Judicial District, said individuals can apply or be nominated, but nominations must come on a nomination form and include the nominee’s signature. A nominee for district judge must be: at least 30 years old. a lawyer admitted to practice in Kansas and engaged in the practice of law for at least five years,  whether as a lawyer, judge, or full-time teacher at an accredited law school. a resident of the judicial district at the time of taking office and while holding office. Nominations must be accompanied by a nomination form available from the court administrator of the 8th Judicial District in Junction City; the clerks of the district court in Dickinson, Geary, Marion, or Morris counties; or the Kansas judicial branch website at www.kscourts.org  under What’s New. One original and nine copies of the completed nomination form and supporting letters must be submitted by noon October 10, 2018, to: Edwin Wheeler Jr., commission secretary 801 N. Washington, Suite D Junction City, KS 66441 The nominating commission will convene to interview nominees at 9 a.m. October 29 in the Geary County Courthouse, 138 E. Eighth, Junction City. Interviews are open to the public. The commission will select from three to five nominees whose names will be submitted to the governor to fill the position according to statutory qualification and residency requirements. If there are not three nominees who reside in the district who are deemed qualified by the commission, the commission may consider nominees who reside outside the judicial district. The governor has 60 days after receiving the names to decide whom to appoint. After serving one year in office, the new judge must stand for a retention vote in the next general election to remain in the position. If retained, the incumbent will serve a four-year term. The 8th Judicial District Nominating Commission consists of Luckert as the nonvoting chair; Darrel Bryant, Council Grove; Carolyn Gaston, Milford; Kevin Harris, Abilene; James Hefley, Hillsboro; Arvid Jacobson, Junction City; Darrell Miller, Dwight; Douglas Thompson, Abilene; and Wheeler, Marion. State of Kansas Office of Judicial Administration

 

MANHATTAN, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today delivered the 178th Landon Lecture, “Answering the Call: Serving a global society post 9/11,” at Kansas State University on the 17th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“It was an honor to deliver a Landon Lecture at Kansas State University on the anniversary of the devastating September 11, 2001 attacks, and I’m grateful to President Myers and Dr. Flinchbaugh for the invitation and to all who attended today’s discussion,” said Sen. Moran. “May we never forget the way we united in the aftermath of those attacks and may we renew our commitment to respecting one another, to working together for the common good and to answering the call to serve.”

In his Lecture, Sen. Moran shared his story of September 11, 2001 and how that day not only broadened his perspective and shaped him as a legislator, but refocused us as a nation on the things that bind us together, rather than pull us apart.

To watch Sen. Moran’s full Landon Lecture, click here.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will present “Answering the call: Serving a global society post 9/11” as part of Kansas State University’s Landon Lecture series at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Admission is free and the lecture is open to the public.

The lecture can be heard on 1420 KJCK AM Tuesday morning.

Moran is the 178th speaker in the prestigious lecture series that has been bringing global leaders to campus since 1966.

Seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers throughout Kansas are invited to attend the 2018 Sunflower Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. The event will run from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The annual event is sponsored by the North Central – Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging with support from the Salina Regional Health Center. More than 750 people attended the event in 2017.

“The theme for this year’s Sunflower Fair is “A Grand Time” – which expresses the Agency’s belief that Kansans should celebrate what is good about our lives each day, ” said Julie Govert Walter, Executive Director for the Agency.

The Sunflower Fair will feature expert speakers and exhibitors on subjects ranging “What’s happening with Social Security and Medicare?” to “What to do about the Blues Talk SHow,” ” Happy Grandparenting!” and “Your Best Heart Health.”

There will be a banquet lunch, health screenings, and Kansas Legal Services will provide counsel for those needing to complete Powers of Attorney and other end-of-life document.

Bus transportation to the event is available along an I-70 route, however, space is limited.

Registration costs $20 before Sept. 10 and that includes the banquet lunch. On-site registration after Sept. 10 is $25. Those interested in bus transportation, or to register in advance or needing more information call the North Central – Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-432-2703.