The U.S. Geological Survey has reported that a 2.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:30 a.m. one mile north of Junction City.
That was about the time of the loud boom type explosion heard in Junction City that left many people puzzled.
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A loud boom type explosion was heard in the Junction City area on Thursday morning and some buildings shook. There was a check with Fort Riley to see if there may have been any activity there that could have caused the sound but nothing surfaced.
Units from the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley are conducting routine
artillery training on the installation at this time. However, we are not
aware of any activity that would have resulted in what has been reported.”
Jason Roberts
1st Infantry Division Public AffairsATE:
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Authorities are still trying to determine what caused a loud explosion type sound in Junction City about 10:45 a.m. Some buildings were shaking after the boom.
Assistant Geary County Emergency Management Director Kurt Janke said at this point authorities do know what caused it. or where it came from. “Our building on East 8th and the County Public Works across the street, both of them shook pretty good from it. ” It lasted for about one minute.
The sound was heard at the Junction City Municipal Building and at other locations.
Janke said the police officers were out driving in the city to see if they could find anything. “Normally on something like this you get a followup call that something has happened. But we did not get any kind of followup calls other than people calling to try to find out what caused it and where it came from.” So far nothing has been found concerning any possible cause of the loud noise and shaking.
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Law enforcement and emergency personnel are puzzled about what caused a loud explosion type sound in Junction City at mid-morning ( Thursday ). Emergency Management and the Junction City Fire Department have not been able to locate any problem.
The sound shook the Junction City Police Building on East 9th Street and could be heard at the Junction City Municipal Building on 7th Street. The cause is still unknown.
The Courtyard by Marriott convention center served as the home for the 2018 Business Expo in Junction City. Business and organizations ranging from insurance and financial investment firms to service clubs used the opportunity to explain their products and goals.
Chamber of Commerce Member Relations Director Amy Garner was excited about the number of businesses that participated in the event. “We have food vendors, crochet and gifts, a sewing vendor, electronics, all sorts of service vendors, real estate, just about anything, banks, anything you could ask for.” Garner estimated the public turnout visiting the Expo in the 300 to 500 range.
The public could purchase products, there were food vendors, and there were prize giveaways by different vendors.
Garner noted she definitely wants to bring the Expo back in 2019.
The Junction City Commission by consensus has decided to leave lots in the Land Bank available for sale without special assessments. Those assessments are normally used to fund infrastructure related to the lots, but the City has several hundred of those lots available and they are not selling rapidly.
There was a push by a contingent of home owners in the Land Bank area to require the lots to be sold with the specials. They pay special assessments and are concerned that when the time comes to sell their homes they will not be able to do so since newer homes could potentially be built by developers and sold for less due to the lack of those assessments.
Mayor Pat Landes noted he wants to see the City succeed. “We have valuable resources here in these Land Bank lots. We just have so many of them, and that’s the issue. We will continue to beat the drum with our economic development folks to try to bring jobs here and get more people to come to Junction City.” Landes added the City wants to get the lots in play. “We are spending so much money just trying to take care of them, we’re not even doing much with them at all.”
Commissioner Jeff Underhill previous action did not help move lots and a stagnant economy was having more of an effect than the homes actually existing. “I still think that we need to try and eliminate the specials and move forward with what we had planned and marketing them that way, and trying to get out of the real estate business.”
Commissioner Tim Brown did suggest the possibility of placing special assessments on the lots for a reduced period of time, by prorating the specials for 10 years. But that idea did not gain approval of the other officials.
In order to authorize the sale of the lots with special assessments on them the Commission would have to approve an ordinance at the time of the sale authorizing the sale of the lots with the assessments, but no action was taken..
TOPEKA —Gov. Jeff Colyer MD has issued a state of disaster emergency declaration for five Kansas counties affected by flooding over the weekend. Named in the declaration are Jewell, Kingman, Marshall, Pratt, and Riley Counties.
Flood victims rescued Monday in Riley County -photo RCPD
Damages in these counties included washed out roads, bridges, culverts and flooding to some businesses and residential properties.
“Here in Kansas we make it a priority to take care of our neighbors,” said Colyer. “Those impacted by the recent flooding have our full support and we will continue to do whatever is needed to help during this time of emergency.”
The state declaration may be amended to include any additional counties that declare due to flooding as damage assessments are conducted. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria.
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RILEY COUNTY —According to officials Anneberg Park and all soft-surface trails will remain closed until surfaces dry, debris is removed, and repairs can be made. No ballfields at any of the parks will be open for practice or play because of the soggy turf. Anneberg is currently without power or restroom facilities.
Bridges will continue to be periodically inspected to ensure safety.
Crews are working to remove debris from the storm sewer. Street sweepers are clearing mud and debris. Please be courteous of these vehicles as they work to clear the roadway.
At this time the City of Manhattan will not be conducting a mass pick up of debris or household items. The City will pick up debris for flood affected areas only. The Riley County Transfer station is currently open for people to dispose of items.
The storm generated 6-9″ of rainfall. Floods in 2009 and 2011 resulted in 3-5″ of rainfall. Water levels for this storm went beyond map projections for a 100 year flood.
28 people stayed in the emergency shelters last night.. Poliska Lane is the only area that still has standing water, according to the Riley County Police Department. It will be closed until next week when repairs can be made after conditions have dried.
People who want to help, should contact the Red Cross in Manhattan.
The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on Wednesday is being moved indoors to the Courtyard By Marriott convention center.
The original plan called for the Expo to be held in Heritage Park but the possibility of rain is in the forecast, explained Chamber Membership Relations Director Amy Garner. “We are concerned about all the rain coming in, well and what’s already come with the mud at Heritage Park and then additional rain coming we just thought it would be easier for everybody if we just move it and don’t have to worry about that.”
There is room at the convention center for all of the Expo vendors.
The Business Expo is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday.
RILEY COUNTY —According to officials Anneberg Park and all soft-surface trails will remain closed until surfaces dry, debris is removed, and repairs can be made. No ballfields at any of the parks will be open for practice or play because of the soggy turf. Anneberg is currently without power or restroom facilities.
Bridges will continue to be periodically inspected to ensure safety.
Crews are working to remove debris from the storm sewer. Street sweepers are clearing mud and debris. Please be courteous of these vehicles as they work to clear the roadway.
At this time the City of Manhattan will not be conducting a mass pick up of debris or household items. The City will pick up debris for flood affected areas only. The Riley County Transfer station is currently open for people to dispose of items.
The storm generated 6-9″ of rainfall. Floods in 2009 and 2011 resulted in 3-5″ of rainfall. Water levels for this storm went beyond map projections for a 100 year flood.
28 people stayed in the emergency shelters last night.. Poliska Lane is the only area that still has standing water, according to the Riley County Police Department. It will be closed until next week when repairs can be made after conditions have dried.
People who want to help, should contact the Red Cross in Manhattan.
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RILEY COUNTY —Bridges have been inspected and declared safe for travel. Fort Riley Blvd and Scenic Drive are open again. The only remaining road closures are S. Manhattan Ave and Moehlman Rd. at Hunter’s Island. USD 383 will have school Tuesday with change to the bus schedule.
photo courtesy RCPD
Rescue stats from @ManhattanFD for people removed by boat, dumptruck or person: Redbud 60 people; Highland Ridge 16 people, Gardenway 50 plus 20 pets, Village/Whitetail 26 people and 4 pets.
The Corps of Engineers reports rainfall around 8.9 inches and around 3-4 inches in Riley. That water then came down Wildcat Creek.
Roads were blocked off and residents were notified at that time to evacuate if they lived in the areas near the flooded roadways.
There is an Emergency Evacuation Shelter set up at Pottorf Hall located at 1710 Avery. They ARE taking pets. If you would like to donate relief items please contact the Red Cross.
There are efforts underway to set up a second shelter. Right now there are around 300 people displaced. The number of homes affected is not known at this time. An assessment will be done later today to determine that number.
There are areas where the water is receding, however there are still some areas where the water levels are rising. Please do not go through high water areas, it is NOT safe.
If you need help, in case of an emergency, always call 911. If you need assistance, but it is not an emergency, please call our administrative line at (785) 537-2112. We encourage anyone who is stranded or in need of rescue to please call.
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The Corps of Engineers reported rainfall around 8.9 inches and around 3-4 inches fell in Riley overnight. Riley County Emergency Management, the Manhattan Fire Department, Public Works and RCPD were notified around 4:30 AM that the water in Wildcat Creek was rapidly rising. More rainfall is expected in the next 24 hours and emergency services will continue to monitor the situation.
Roads were blocked off early this morning and residents were notified at that time to evacuate if they lived in the affected areas. It is estimated that 300 people have been affected by flooding at this point.
Areas currently flooded include: Garden Way, Highland Ridge, Red Bud, and Hunter’s Island. If you live near Wildcat Creek, take precaution as additional flooding will be possible if rain continues.
Rescue stats from Manhattan Fire Department for people removed by boat, dumptruck or person are as follows: Redbud 60 people; Highland Ridge 16 people, Gardenway 50 plus 20 pets, Village/Whitetail 26 people and 4 pets.
Riley County ATA bus has also been assisting with rescue efforts, transporting evacuees to shelter locations.
An emergency shelter has been set up in Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park, located at 1710 Avery Drive. Pets are being accepted at this time. To check on relatives in emergency shelters, please use the website https://safeandwell.communityos.org.
A second emergency shelter is being established at Bramlage Coliseum. Affected students should contact student life stulife@ksu.edu with concerns about housing or classes. An emergency displaced student help center has been set up in the Union today. Students who need transportation, housing, or help with personal items should call 785-395-7233.
Public Works crews are working from west to east to clear debris from roadways. KDOT will inspect closed bridges this afternoon to see if they are safe to be reopened.
The Keats area is also experiencing some flooding, so residents living in these areas should take precautions to protect themselves.
Volunteers and donations are not needed at this time. If you would like to donate relief items please contact the Red Cross directly.
Geary County Extension Agent Chuck Otte has kept rainfall records in Junction City since 1992. He says the four and 82-hundredths inches of rain received during the 24-hour period is the greatest he has ever recorded in that 26-year period.
The rain fell during the overnight and early morning hours Monday.
Junction City police dispatch confirmed barricades have been up at low water crossings in Geary County but no other problems have been reported.
Riley County Emergency Management Director Pat Collins reports that county has received up to eight inches of rain in some locations. Evacuations have been occurring in the Keats area and along Wildcat Creek. Collins said the National Weather Service reported that Wildcat Creek is expected to crest at about 27-feet. That could put water into the Redbud Estates, Village Plaza and some of the areas around Highland Ridge area in Manhattan. Residents there are being evacuated and advised to go to Pottorf Hall in Manhattan for shelter. Residents in the Hunters Island area are being notified that the water will come that way as well. “By 10 o’clock ( 10 a.m. Monday ) we’re going to have significant flooding along Wildcat Creek and people need to evacuate.”
Collins added some people were stranded in different houses and apartments but they were able to walk out through the water. No injuries have been reported.
( Photos of flooding in Manhattan area courtesy of Kathy Tremont )
The Chapman Labor Day celebration is set for Sunday and Monday.
The annual parade will be on Monday at 2 p.m. The theme will be “Music Connects Us.” Those who enter the parade will assemble at 1 p.m. at Beemer Ball Complex. Floats will be judged at 1:15 p.m.
On Sunday there will be a golf tournament with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. This will be the Lions Club 4-person scramble. There will be a street dance downtown at 5th & Marshall from 7-10 p.m.
The Steve Miller Memorial Labor Day 5K Run/Walk will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday. Other activities that day will range from a pancakes & sausage feed at the American Legion from 6:30 until 10:30 a.m., a car show from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the high school parking and an antique tractor show south of the high school at 9 a.m.
The annual toy show at the high school multi-purpose room runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Monday and there will be a hamburger feed beginning at 11 a.m. and until they run out at the American Legion.
Junction City police have reported that one person died, one was wounded and another is in custody following a shooting on the west side of Junction City on Friday afternoon.
At 4:38 p.m. olice responded to the area of 2306 Wildcat Lane for a disturbance. Upon their arrival Officers located two men suffering from gunshot wounds. The victims, Felix Snipes, 29, and Cartavius King, 25, both of Junction City were ultimately transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. Snipes later died of his injuries. King is expected to survive.
Police said during the investigation a suspect was developed and interviewed. Fontelle N. Jolly, 21, Junction City, was later arrested on suspicion of Murder, Attempted Murder and Aggravated Battery. He is currently being held at the Geary County Detention Center without bond.
Detectives are still actively working this case and if anyone has any information call the JCPD Investigations Division at 762-5912.
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Junction City police have confirmed a shooting occurred in the parking lot of 2306 Wildcat Lane after an altercation Friday. Two victims were transported to the hospital. Law enforcement officers and emergency personnel responded to the scene just before five p.m. Friday.
A suspect is in custody but police are still conducting interviews to find out a motive and if others were involved.
More information will be released by police at a later time and will be updated here on JC Post.
