The United Way of Junction City-Geary County has announced it’s Ben Kitchens Volunteer of the Year recipient.

John Hagerty, Head Coach of the JC Pacesetters, the local Special Olympics team, has been named the 2014 Ben Kitchens Volunteer of the Year. Hagerty was nominated by Ted Hayden, 2008 recipient of the Volunteer of the Year award.

Hagerty served as a Military Police Officer until he retired from the Army. He then became a police officer for the Junction City Police Department. It was while serving as a police officer that John became involved with the Special Olympics Torch Run. It didn’t take much for those team members to stake a claim on John’s heart. He started working directly with the team in 1995 and continues to this day. During the academic year, Hagerty continues to work with special needs students as a Para in USD 475.

The Ben Kitchens Volunteer of the Year Award was established to shine the spotlight of gratitude on deserving individuals for their selfless giving through organizations that serve the people of Geary County.

Hagerty was presented the award by past recipients Ben Kitchens 2007, Ted Hayden 2008, Otis Scroggins 2010, and Robert Munson 2012.

A few isolated storms may skim across far northern Kansas near the KS/NE border early this morning. Otherwise, much of the daytime hours should be dry but hot with highs in the 90s and heat indices reaching into the 98-102 degree range. Scattered thunderstorms may develop as early as late afternoon through this evening, primarily along and north of I-70. Cannot rule out the potential for a few of these storms to be strong to severe with some strong winds and possibly some small hail. Sunday and Monday will be marked by very hot conditions as heat indices rise into the 104-112 range. As a result, a *Heat Advisory* has been issued for the entire outlook area.

The renovation and expansion of the Junction City Municipal Court building located at 701 north Jefferson is expected to be substantialy complete on September 1st.

Tyler Ficken, City Clerk confirmed the new completion date Friday,”after they do the punch list we expect to get in there.”

The project originally had a completion date of March 31st of this year but due to a delay in the manufacturing of the new metal building system it was delayed for well over 110 days.

Despite the delays the project is expected to come in at the budgeted price of approximately $1.1 million. When complete will be a multi-use facility.

“It’s going to house the City Commission meetings, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings, and mostly the Municipal Court operations.”

The contractor on the project is Cheney Construction, and the architect is Bruce McMillan AIA Architects.

Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hwy 77 and Rucker Road Thursday at 5:25 p.m. for an injury accident.

According to the Sheriff’s daily report Hannah Nelson, of Junction City was west bound on Rucker Road in a 2008 Chevy truck when she collided with Joseph Simpson of Topeka who was south bound on Hwy 77 in a Toyota passenger vehicle.

Simpson and a passenger from the Chevy Truck driven by Nelson were transported to Geary Community Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Midwest Appliance and Ace Hardware have scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony for next Tuesday at their future site just off Highway 77 and Caroline Avenue.

The site is just south of the future Walmart Neighborhood Market currently under construction at the corner of Hwy 77 and McFarland Road.

Tuesday’s groundbreaking is scheduled for 10 a.m..

Junction City police will be conducting DUI saturation patrols throughout the city on Friday night and Saturday morning, July 10-11. According to Captain Dan Breci there will be five additional patrol cars on the streets to detect and deter drunk driving.

The patrols are designed to identify intoxicated drivers. Those motorists stopped for traffic violations who are suspected of intoxication will be given an on-site field sobriety test. Confirmed impaired drivers will be arrested.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Tuttle Creek Lake is reporting that a sink hole has developed at Tuttle Creek Lake. The Corps determined that it was a non-emergency condition and occured around 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 9.

According to the Corps facebook page, ” A sink hole developed adjacent to the stilling basin (locally known as the tubes) as a result of the sustained high releases from the lake, causing damage to the parking lot and creating a hazard to the public and vehicles in the area. The area around the stilling basin has been closed to all public access until further notice, this includes bicycles and pedestrians.”

The Corps has noted that there is no threat of safety to the dam. Releases from the stilling basin are continuing on the opposite side until the sink hole can be further investigated.

Story by Michael Pagels, Little Apple Post.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK – 

Scattered thunderstorms will move across the area this morning. Lightning and locally heavy rainfall will be the primary hazards with these morning storms.

Additional thunderstorm development is expected across the area this afternoon into tonight. A few severe storms are possible mainly between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. The primary hazards will be damaging winds and large hail with the strongest storms. Localized flash flooding will also be possible, and there is a small chance for one or two tornadoes across the region as well.

A few may be strong across north central KS with hail and gusty winds. Main concern for the weekend is the heat. Heat indices will range from 100 to 107 Saturday through Monday.

Early This Morning: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Southeast winds up to 5 mph.

Today: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday: Warmer. Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 90s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Highest heat index readings around 108 in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 70s.

Monday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 90s. Highest heat index readings 108 to 109 in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 70s. Highest heat index readings around 108 in the evening.

Tuesday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 90s.

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

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

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 70s.

Thursday: Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 90s.

Junction City police reported eight arrests during the 24-hour period on July 9th and early Friday morning July 10th.

-Courtney Vieyra, 29, Junction City, Warrant Arrest for a Junction City Municipal Court Warrant for Failure to Appear. She was arrested at the Junction City Police Department.

-Brandon M. Tanzey, 25, West Virginia, suspicion of violating a court ordered Protection from Abuse order. He was arrested at MM 314 E I-70.

-Paul David Snyder, 36, West Virginia, suspicion of violating a court ordered Protection from Abuse order. He was arrested at MM 314 E I-70.

-Y’Vonne Ndereba, 21, Topeka, suspicion of intereferance with Law Enforcement. She was arrested at the Junction City Police Dpeartment.

-Daniel Charles Williams, 38, Junction City, on a Junction City Municipal Court Warrant alledging Failure to Appear. He was arrested in the 200 Block of W 11th St.

-Jesse Lee Bailey Jr, 47, Junction City, on a Geary County District Court Warrant alledging Probation Violation and a suspicion of possession of marijuana charge. He was arrested at 1225 Pershing Drive.

-Jacob Charles Vaughn, 21, Junction City, on a DC warrant alledging probation violation. He was arrested at 126 W Elm St #501.

-Joshua Daniel Gilliot, 22, Junction City, on a MC warrant alledging failure to appear. He was arrested at 1303 Spring Hill Dr..

The JCPD is also reporting the arrest of two Juveniles on suspicion of City Curfew Violation. They were arrested at 3:05 a.m. Friday at 1000 W 6th St.. They were released to their parents.

A third Juvenile was also arrested at 3:05 a.m. Friday at 1000 W 6th St. on suspicion of violation of a court curfew. Juvenile intake was notified.

The Metropolitan Planning Commission in Junction City has continued a final decision on approval of the proposed update to the city – county comprehensive plan until their August meeting in Junction City.

That is being done to give the contractor on the project time to fix various issues with the draft, including such things as print font and some punctuation.

The MPC meets on the second Thursday night in August.

The MPC recommendation on the comprehensive plan will eventually go to the Junction City and Geary County Commissions.