Starting Dec. 1 Fort Riley’s Grant, Estes, and a portion of 12th Street access control points will be closed on Saturdays. The 12th Street commercial gate will remain open Saturdays for all commercial vehicles. 

The changes are necessary to maintain solders’ readiness for future training and deployment requirements.

For more information about Fort Riley access procedures, visit https://www.riley.army.mil and click on the yellow “Accessing Fort Riley” button on the right hand side of the page.

Kathy Tremont, Geary County Treasurer, has issued a release stating that 2015 tax statements will go out approximately Nov. 13th. Taxpayers that have their mortgage company escrow their tax will be sent a copy of the bill for information purposes.

The 1st half taxes are due Dec. 20. If you are mailing your payment it should be postmarked no later than the 20th.

Once you receive your bill if you have questions regarding the assessment of the property you can call the appraiser’s office at 785-238-4407. The treasurer’s office is responsible for mailing and collection of statements but does not assess properties for valuation purposes.

Real estate taxes may be paid in full or half by Dec. 20. Second half taxes are due by May 10, 2016.

Statutorily, at least half of the personal property tax is due Dec. 20.  If you fail to pay the first half, the 2nd half is due by May 10. No motor vehicle transactions can be processed for individuals having delinquent personal property taxes.

Participants in the neighborhood revitalization program must have their taxes paid in full before a rebate check will be issued.

A 4% per annum interest penalty will be assessed. If a taxpayer does not receive a tax bill, call 238-6021. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure their taxes are paid.   Owners can pay online by going to the Kansas County Treasurers website at https://www.kansastreasurers.org/ or they can use the drop slot located at the entrance of the south door to the Geary County Office Building at 200 E. 8th Street.

Taxpayers can us the following methods to pay for their taxes: Cash, Check, Money Order and Credit and Debit cards. Also, taxpayers will be given the opportunity to make monthly payments. Those interested should contact the office and ask for the payment program.

The Geary County Perinatal Coalition is calling all expecting mothers to attend the 2nd annual Luke’s Community Baby Shower Saturday put on by Delivering Change: Healthy Moms, Health Babies, in partnership with the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network.

Luke’s Community Baby Shower, named for local SIDS baby Luke Nelson, is an opportunity to educate pregnant women and their support systems on safe sleep and other community resources available to them in Geary county. It is being held Saturday at 10 am at Washington Elementary School, 1500 N. Washington St. in Junction City.

Expecting moms that complete the safe sleep training at the baby shower will be provided with a free Graco Pack ‘n’ Play portable playard, a free Halo Sleep Sack, and other free items based upon availability.

The Baby Shower is funded as a part of the Healthy Start Grant that Delivering Change received this year.

The annual Toy run sponsored by City Cycle Sales and the KS Flint Hills Harley Owners Group is Saturday at City Cycle Sales in Junction City.

The event begins at 1:45 pm at City Cycle Sales with kick stands up for the run at 2 pm, weather permitting. The final destination will be City Cycle Sales where pizza and refreshments will be served.

Over 250 children in the Junction City, Grandview Plaza, and Fort Riley area benefited from the toy run last year and event organizers are looking to duplicate that.

“I know personally that when those gifts are delivered, I’ve either heard the stories or I’ve been there, that the families are just so appreciative, they’re in tears,” said Sue Gwaltney, Treasurer of the Flint Hills Harley Owners Group. “They love being able to wrap their own gifts for their children. They get to see them and wrap their own gifts, but they really, really appreciate what has been done for them.”

Toys for children ages infant through 17 years-of-age are being accepted, except no stuffed animals due to potential allergies. If a toy takes batteries you are asked to tape to the toys or include them.

New this year City Cycle Sales will add 200 Customer Loyalty Program points to your account with any toy or cash donations.

Donations can be made at City Cycle Sales and will be welcomed through December 23rd.

A cold front will move through the area this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible with the front. Northeast and east central Kansas are most likely to see thunderstorm activity, and some of the stronger storms may be capable of strong wind gusts and hail. The storms are most likely to occur between 3 and 9 pm. The thunderstorm activity will quickly come to an end once the front passes to the east. Cooler temperatures will move in for Friday and the weekend.

The Junction City Commission wants to take a look into the possibility of relocating two light poles on East Chestnut Street near the round-a-bout that have been hit by vehicles on multiple occasions.

Ray Ibarra, Public Works Director approached the commission Tuesday asking for approval to purchase two new light poles and light fixtures at a cost of approximately $10,720.

“They would be used and stored in public works in case the light poles on East Chestnut get damaged or hit again in accidents, and then we can replace them without having to wait,” Ibarra told the Commission.

It takes approximately eight weeks for the new poles to be shipped after being ordered and Ibarra said it’s a good idea to have the spares on hand.

Commissioner Pat Landes expressed his thoughts on moving the poles off the street a littler further to try to prevent them from being hit.

“I don’t understand why we don’t have them on the other side of the side-walk and maybe a hanging type pole that’s not even close to being in the way,” said Landes. “Because you’ve got a little curve coming through off that round-a-bout, it looks cute, but if there’s ever any ice or somebody’s coming through there too quick, it’s just a setup for trouble.”

The commission ultimately approved the purchase of the two new poles but indicated they would like to discuss moving the poles again at a later date.

MANHATTAN -The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University broke ground Wednesday on a $2.8 million state-of-the-art equine facility.

The ceremony will include a celebration of the donors and the future of equine care at the Veterinary Health Center

The Equine Performance Testing Center will offer an indoor riding arena with hard and soft footing to better evaluate and diagnose lameness issues in equine patients. Also included in the plans are an indoor examination area, radiology suite, farrier space and consultation room, according to a KSU media release.

Nearly 50 percent of the roughly 2,500 services provided annually by the Veterinary Health Center equine clinicians involve performance-related disorders. The Equine Performance Testing Center will provide safe, year-round access to consistent footing and shelter for patients, clients, students and clinicians.

Private donations have funded more than $800,000 of the project.