During an update Monday to the Riley County Commission Gary Stith, Flint Hills Regional Council Executive Director, announced that they have closed out the HUD Sustainable Communities Grant that has been one of the main sources of funding for the FHRC for the past few years.

The HUD Grant provided just over $2 million in funding for the FHRC and by the time it was closed out there was just $495 left.

“We left $495 on the table. We tried our best to get it all spent, and out of over $2 million, that’s not bad,” said Stith.

Stith added that before the grant was closed they did pull out funding to update their websites. New Boston is under contract completing that project.

Moving forward the FHRC is relying on a number of projects that they have been selected to participate in. Examples include updating the comprehensive plan for the City of Council Grove, writing the application for a HUD grant that would fund the Wildcat Creek Watershed Resiliency Project. The FHRC would also be contracted with to help supply part of the administration of the HUD grant if it is accepted.

Breezy south winds will bring warmer temperatures in the mid 80s to lower 90s today. Tonight after midnight, there is a slight chance for a few thunderstorms to develop in northeast and east central Kansas. Warmer temperatures and gusty winds will continue through mid week. There are also occasional thunderstorm chances through the coming week, with the best chances looking to come on Thursday night and Friday.

Tonight: Breezy. Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 15 to 25 mph.

Tuesday: Breezy. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds 15 to 25 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening…then mostly cloudy with slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. South winds 15 to 20 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 90. South winds 15 to 20 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 70s.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 60s.

Friday: Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s.

Friday Night: Cooler. Partly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday: Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.

The Geary County Democrats will meet on Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library.

Michael Cook, Democratic candidate for the 65th District seat in the Kansas House, will be the guest speaker.

Other agenda items will include reports on Demofest in Wichita, Democratic State Committee meeting in Salina on October 3, fundraising report from the annual banquet, and election of a treasurer.

All area Democrats are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Shelly Hoyle Kite at 785-238-6222, or tandskite@cox.net.

Ware Elementary School kindergarten teacher Chelsea Williams and Fort Riley Middle School 6th grade social studies teacher, Allie Ronnebaum, have been selected to represent USD 475 in the 2016 Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association Horizon Award program.

The program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association, identifies and recognizes distinguished educators who have completed one year of teaching in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

Four elementary and four secondary

classroom teachers will be selected from each of four regions in Kansas and award recipients will be notified in December or January.

The next step for Chelsea and Allie will be to complete a nomination packet by October 9th. The winners will be recognized during a special ceremony during the 2016 Kansas State Educators Conference.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department reported that Deputies responded at 8 p.m to the 12,000 block of Humboldt Creek Road for a one vehicle accident with a deer.

Joseph K. Bitz, Council Grove, was driving his 2014 Nissan north and struck the animal. Bitz was not injured.

The Junction City Police Department has reported that four damage to property cases occurred in the city late Friday night and early Saturday morning.

They were all reported in the 600 block of Goldenbelt Boulevard where damage was done to vehicles by a BB gun. The incidents were reported between 9:47 p.m.Friday and 12:23 a.m. Saturday.

Police also said in the 600 block of Grant Avenue an aggravated battery was reported at 12:54 a.m. Saturday where a subject was injured by a BB gun.

No arrests have been reported in those cases.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Fans have started an online fundraising campaign to support the Kansas State University marching band, which drew criticism over its halftime show at a football game.

The school said the band director will miss a Nov. 28 game and that university officials also must approve future halftime shows.

The college added that it will pay a self-imposed $5,000 fine after the Big 12 Conference warned of potential sportsmanship and ethical conduct violations.

The marching band had shaped itself into a rival mascot and what appeared to be a phallus during its Saturday show.

Supporter Sarah Brinkley has started a crowd funding account (see the page here) seeking donations with for the band. The Manhattan Mercury  reports that as of noon Thursday, the account had raised nearly $13,000.