WABAUNSEE COUNTY -A Manhattan teen was injured in an accident just after 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Nissan Altima driven by Flora Elisabeth Riley, 18, Manhattan, was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 ten miles west of Topeka.

For an unknown reason the driver lost control of the vehicle. It went into the center median and rolled into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70.

Riley was transported to the hospital in Manhattan.

She was wearing a seat belt according to the KHP.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A religious liberty group is now threatening to sue over the ongoing Native American sweat lodge dispute at the VA hospital in Wichita.

The Liberty Institute sent another letter Tuesday to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs alleging discrimination against Native American religious practices of veterans at the Robert J. Dole Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

The sweat lodge’s spiritual leader, who is a substance-abuse counselor at the center, has been indefinitely suspended. Members of the sweat lodge have been unable to meet for religious worship there without him.

Their letter calls the VA’s effort to replace July’s ceremony with a meal and a movie an act of “religious insensitivity.”

The VA did not immediately comment, but has previously said it supports the religious practices of its staff, volunteers and veterans.

JUNCTION CITY- A Junction City woman was injured in an accident just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Colorado driven by Christa G. Rodriguez, 29, Junction City, was stopped at stop sign waiting to turn right onto U.S. 77 from the westbound Interstate 70 off ramp.

A 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Allen John Pavluk, 25, Junction City, was stopped behind the Colorado. As the Colorado started to make a right turn onto U.S. 77, the driver observed a northbound vehicle and stopped but the driver of the Silverado did not pay attention and rear-ended Colorado.

Rodriguez was transported to Geary County Hospital.
Pavluk and a child in the Colorado were not injured.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident according to the KHP.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has officially opened it’s new office in Junction City located at 132 N. Eisenhower Drive following a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday afternoon.

The new location will have one full time staff member to help serve the need in Junction City, which is quite substantial according to the Area Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, Stacie Schroeder.

“We have the potential of having 100 kids to serve here. We could do intake on kids all day long because they’re all there, but we only have about 12 volunteers in the process right now,” said Schroeder.

Schroeder went on to say that they are always looking for male volunteers because they typically have more boys signed up for the program than they have male volunteers. She went as far to say that some boys may not get matched with a male mentor for up to a couple of years because it is hard to find male volunteers.

Anyone interested in volunteering can stop by their new office or contact them by phone at 785-238-1650. You can also find more information at their website www.kansasbigs.org.

Also during the ribbon cutting the Kiwanis Club of Junction City South presented a $500 check to Big Brothers Big Sisters to become BIG Mentor members.

The United Way of Junction City, working with USD 475, are asking members of the community to donate school supplies to help children in the district whose families may struggle to provide the necessary items to start the school year.

With the 2015-16 academic year approaching now is the time many families begin to buy the necessary school supplies.

“We know that 62% of the children in USD 475 qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. That is a strong indicator that families need help with many of the basics,” said Ailleen Cray, Executive Director of United Way. “United Way is focusing on three primary areas of service in our community — education, income staility and health. This project ties directly into our efforts in education.”

Supplies needed include 3-ring binders, 3 x 3 sticky notes, black dry erase markers, Clorox wipes, composition books, Crayola crayons – 24 pack, Fiskar Scissors, gallon Zipock freezer bags, glue sticks, hand sanitizer – 8 oz., Kleenex — large box, large pink erasers, plain pocket folders, quart Ziplock freezer bags, white glue – 8 oz., wide ruled notebook paper, wide ruled spiral notebooks, yellow highlighters, and yellow#2 pencils.

There will be three major public donation dates where community members can help with this project. They are Saturdays, July 18, August 1, and August 8 at Wal-Mart at 521 East Chestnut from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. each of those days.

Several businesses will also serve as drop-off locations for school supplies. They include Central National Bank locations, Exchange Bank locations, Geary Community Hospital, Intrust Bank, KS State Bank, Landmark National Bank, Millennium Bank, and Sunflower Bank.

Donations can also be dropped off at the United Way Office, 139 East 8th Street, Monday through Friday. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If people do not wish to shop for school supplies, financial contributions may also be made. All funds generated will be spent on the purchase of additional school supplies. Checks should be made to United Way with “Stuff the Bus” written on the memo line. Mail checks to United Way, P.O. Box 567, Junction City, KS 66441.

Distribution of the school supplies will be handled by the schools. Supplies will be delivered to the schools the week prior to the first day of classes. Teachers will have access to the supplies as directed by the principal at their specific school.

United Way is also seeking volunteers to help with this program. They are needed to sort and pack the donated supplies on Tuesday, Auguast 11 from 9 a.m. until noon. This part of the project will be coordinated at the United Way Office. Volunteers would also be needed to help with the delivery of the supplies on Wednesday, August 12. There will be two shifts that day. The morning shift will go from 9 a.m. until noon, and the afternoon shift from 1 to 4 p.m. Help would also be appreciated for the final delivery push on Friday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.

If you wish to volunteer contact the United Way at 785-238-2117 or email director@unitedwayjcgc.org.

 

The Junction City Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2015 Citizens Police Academy.

The Academy will be held every Thursday evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from September 3rd to November 12th.

Captain Chuck Leithoff with the JCPD explained the academy offers citizens the opportunity to get an up and close look into the department through a number of activities.

“They get to see and hear from each of the departments, what their specific jobs are and things like that. Then they get to go on a ride along and go to the shooting range. Just kind of see the inner workings of the department,” said Leithoff.

Applications can be found online at the city’s website www.junctioncity-ks.gov in the news section. Applications can be filled out online and sent in electronically or can be printed out and dropped off at the Police Department located at 210 E 9th St. Applications can also be found at the Police Department.

Space is limited and they will only be accepting up to 20 applicants to participate.

The Junction City Rodeo Association is hosting the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Business Hours in July at Munson Farms, 4820 Liberty Hall Road.

The date and time are July 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Those attending can catch a ride with Black Hitch Horse Carriage and enjoy Munson Angus farm burgers, and advance tickets for the Junction City Rodeo will be available for sale. Advanced tickets will be $9 for adults and $4 for children, ages 6-12.

The 22nd annual Junction City Rodeo is Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Arena just off South Spring Valley Road on the west side of Junction City.

The Geary County Free Fair runs July 20-23 at the fairgrounds and 4-H Center adjacent to Spring Valley Road on the west side of Junction City.

But there are some pre-fair activities this week.

They include:

–7 p.m. Thursday, 4-H Public Revue and 4-H King & Queen announcement

–7:30 p.m. Friday, 22nd annual Junction City Rodeo

–10 a.m. Saturday, Youth Special Needs Rodeo

–2 p.m. Saturday, 4-H Dog Show

–7:30 p.m. Saturday, 22nd annual Junction City Rodeo

The Geary County Commission has approved the acquisition for and contract ADP, a firm that provides payroll and human resources software andf services.

Ben Bennett, County Commission Chair, explained the action was taken due to federal, state and local ordinances and resolutions in recent years in accounting, human resource and payroll responsibilites. “The goal is to protect and service and streamline where we can the increased efficiency and effectiveness within Geary County departments, especially HR and the County Clerk. These services will include time and attendance, applicant recruitment and tracking,  and backround checks.” Performance management and employee self service options are also part of the package, as is the tracking of the Affordable Care Act legislation.

Bennett noted a number of counties, cities and major industries are already using the system.

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reduced flows from Tuttle Creek Lake since a 15-foot sinkhole was found near the lake.

The sinkhole on the east side of the outflow tubes at Tuttle Creek Lake measures 15 feet in diameter and 8 feet deep.

Engineers reduced outflows from the lake from 19,000 cubic feet per second to 6,200 when they noticed the hole forming last week. They also closed the gates on the east side of the lake’s dam. They have since increased outflows.

Brian McNulty, operations manager for Corps of Engineers, says the sinkhole likely formed as a result of recent high water levels and outflows from the lake and doesn’t indicate any structural problems in the dam.