Duane Bauer, Herington, has received a special thank you for paying it forward in his community. Bauer was selected to receive free fuel from Tanks of Thanks, a program that rewards people who go the extra mile for others.

Recently, Bauer received a $50 Tanks of Thanks gift card, which is redeemable at any Cenex location, for his volunteer efforts with the Herington community’s VFW. Bauer is one of three people from Post #1281 who drives veterans to appointments across four towns in the area.

The Tanks of Thanks program from CHS and Cenex retailers encourages people to nominate neighbors, family and friends for free fuel as a way thank them for doing good deeds.

MANHATTAN — Garmin International Inc., U.S. Engineering, and Veterinary and Biomedical Research Center will be lead tenants in the first building in the newK-State Office Park according to a media release from KSU.

This innovative four-phase project will help lead the development of Kansas State University’s north campus corridor and fuel economic growth and development of Manhattan and the region.

The Kansas State University Foundation is developing the K-State Office Park, a 14-acre tract of land at the corner of Kimball and Denison avenues, which is adjacent to the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility site and the Grain Science and Industry Complex. The first building, which will be 60,000 square feet, is set to open Oct. 12. Ultimately, four office buildings will add 220,000 square feet of space for academic and commercial enterprises. Only 6,500 square feet of space is still available for lease in the first building, and preleasing for the second 60,000 square-foot building has begun.

“We are excited to be among the first corporations to have a presence in the K-State Office Park,” said Tyler Nottberg, chairman and CEO of U.S. Engineering. “Having a presence in the Manhattan area allows us to partner with K-State on new technologies and approaches, while remaining a driving force within the communities and an integral part in building up the Midwestern skyline.”

Bob Billings, director of aviation software at Garmin, said proximity to Kansas State University student talent attracted the company to the university campus in Manhattan five years ago and he looked forward to expanding Garmin’s presence closer to the students with its location in the K-State Office Park.

“Our presence in the K-State Office Park allows us to tap into the incredibly talented pool of students at Kansas State University,” Billings said. “We recruit student interns in the areas of computer science, computer engineering and electrical engineering who will use this new space to support software development activities for aviation and other business segments at Garmin. This not only helps us develop better products, but also allows us to develop relationships with talented students early in their careers.”

“The ability to leverage the synergies of this national center of excellence for animal health drove our decision to locate our new headquarters in the K-State Office Park,” said Kelly Lechtenberg, CEO and chairman of Veterinary and Biomedical Research Center. “We look forward to opening our doors in Manhattan and to the incredible collaborative opportunities the location will provide.”

Rand Berney, retired senior vice president of corporate shared services for ConocoPhillips and vice chairman of the KSU Foundation board of directors, said the office park would create opportunities for corporate partners and the university.

“The K-State Office Park offers a prime location for corporate partners with a desire to tap in to the opportunities available on the Manhattan campus,” Berney said. “Positioned in close proximity to existing cutting-edge research facilities and the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, corporate partners will have the chance to build professional relationships as well as leverage the strengths of K-State in the areas of student talent and technical innovation.”

Kirk Schulz, Kansas State University president, said that the university, along with the Manhattan community, had taken a comprehensive, collaborative approach to developing this north campus corridor.

“We are excited to welcome our first corporate partners to this dynamic location in Manhattan,” Schulz said. “The K-State Office Park will fuel economic growth and development with a wide area of impact for the region. Ultimately, it will advance us toward our goal of becoming a Top 50 public research university by the year 2025.”

The K-State Office Park project, coupled with last year’s turnkey build to lease of a new 50,000-square-foot building by the KSU Foundation for the Kansas Department of Agriculture in the K-State Research Park, has increased the amount of leased commercial space on the Manhattan campus by 110,000 square feet in the last two years.

For information about leasing opportunities, contact Kate Ryan atkater@found.ksu.edu or 785-532-7559 or visit www.k-siteonline.com.

According to the National Weather Service of Topeka, rain will gradually taper off this morning with a chance of redevelopment mainly along and south of Interstate 35 this afternoon. Tonight a weather system will approach the area from the southwest and bring additional rounds of moderate to heavy rainfall to areas generally south of a line from Emporia to Lawrence tonight and Wednesday. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 PM Wednesday for much of east central Kansas (Green shaded area). Highs will only warm into the 70s today with 60s across the area tonight. Much of northeast and north central Kansas will remain dry with partly to mostly cloudy skies.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Today: Cooler. Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A 40 percent chance of rain showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with slight chance of rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Lows around 60. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Thursday: Rain showers and thunderstorms likely. Highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Friday: Warmer. Partly sunny with slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s.

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

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 90s.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 70s.

Sunday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 90s.

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

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

 

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has approved average 6.5% salary increases for the coming year for classified employees and administrators in the school district.

Superintendent Dr. Corbin Witt confirmed to the Board that the raises are sustainable. “We have cash balances we have built up over the years.” The Superintendent also noted the federal military heavily impacted aid money received by the school district the past two years is a factor. That totaled approximately $8.1 million each of those two years, and Witt noted that changed the USD 475 budget “quite a bit.”

Witt added district officials have analyzed it closely. “April 24 is when everything kind of changed for us. At that point we had not yet had our district audit yet, and we also had been informed we were probably not getting impact aid this year. So we were getting ready to do cutting mode, and then we found out that day that we were approved for heavily impacted aid for this year, and then will also get it next year. That’s about a $16 million change in one day.”

Witt confirmed officials began talking about doing something to make employee salaries where they were compatible,  and where USD 475 can compete with surrounding districts with competitive salaries.

Teacher ( certified employee ) salaries for the coming year have not yet been finalized because contract negotiations are still under way.  Those contract negotiations resume July 14.

 

Brian Field has been elected to serve the next 12 months as the president for the Geary USD 475 Board of Education.

Field was unanimously elected by his fellow board members Monday evening. “I’m glad that they bestowed that kind of confidence in me. I appreciate the confidence that they have in me being the representative of such a solid board.”

On goals for the coming year, Field noted the district needs to continue its’ one-on-one initiative providing computers for the students in our district, that’s a big one.” He  also noted a new school is coming online this fall ( Fort Riley Elementary School ).

“I think the biggest thing right now, especially with a lot of questions with the state is the budget.  Which way are we going to go. What are we going to be able to do as a district? We do have some numbers that we are working with, and we’re confident in those numbers, but at the same time we’re going to have to watch the future. Over the next couple of years  we could see some drastic changes in the way schools are funded in Kansas.”

Field is a product of the USD 475 system. He attended school, K-12, in the district, and graduated from Junction City High School in 1989.

Field succeeds Kim Milleson, who completed her one year term as Board of Education president. LaDonna Junghans has been elected to serve as BOE Vice President for the coming year.

 

 

Geary County Emergency Management Director, Garry Berges has reported that as much as 4 inches of rain has fallen in portions of Geary County.

He updated Junction City Post following the severe thunderstorm that rolled through Geary County Monday afternoon.

“We’re looking at, in Junction City, a little bit over an inch to two inches. I know of close to four inches in the area of Ascher Road and Clarks Creek Road area, which would be south east of Junction City three to four miles,” said Berges.

Berges also said reports of wind gusts up to 45-50 mph were reported near Geary State Lake.

Only minor damage was reported including some branches on power lines south of Junction City. .

Geary County Commissioner Florence Whitebread did report that the Geary County Research and Extensions Building did report some flooding as well.

“With the amount of water that we had this afternoon, they’ve got some water running in the basement up there because the down spots couldn’t take all the water and it was running through some window wells and so forth. It looks like our maintenance people will have a job ahead of them tomorrow.”

No other damage has been reported at this time.

Cox Bros BBQ in Junction City is teaming up with the Junction City/Geary County United Way to host a United Way Restaurant Day on Wednesday. 

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday Cox Bros BBQ will be donating a portion of their proceeds to the United Way campaign. Cox Bros BBQ is located at 812 E. Chestnut Street in Junction City.

United Way supports programs of 15 local social service organizations in the Junction City-Geary County area.

Well over half of an inch of rain fell in the Junction City area over a 45 minute period Monday afternoon causing localized flooding.

Garry Berges, Geary County Emergency Management Director explained that a lot of streets in Junction City had water from curb to curb,”we’ve got some manhole covers that are popped in different places, that’s in Junction City.”

“Along Interstate 70, driving along the roadways it looks like a lot of people have pulled off on the exit ramps and are staying off the highways, which is good because I have seen water just flowing across the highway in different places which could cause cars to hydroplane,” said Burges.

Berges also reported that he has heard reports of two to three inch tree limbs being down south of Junction City along Hwy 77, but no other reports.

The National Weather Service out of Topeka did issue a Urban and Small Stream Flood Advisory in effect until 6:30 p.m. for much of the surrounding area including Geary County, Southeastern Riley County, Central Wabaunsee County, Northwestern Morris county and Southwestern Jackson County.

At 3:37 p.m. Doppler Radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms that will cause urban and small stream flooding in the advisory area. Up to two inches of rain had already fallen in some locations.

The advisory includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 292 and 340.

The NWS is advising motorist that most flood deaths occur in automobiles, never drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Flood waters are usually deeper than they appear. Just one foot of water is powerful enough to sweep vehicles off the road. When encountering flooded roads make the smart choice…Turn Around, Don’t Drown.

The National Weather Service out of Topeka has issued a second Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southeastern Geary County, Northern Morris County, Southwestern Wabaunsee County and East Central Dickinson County.

This warning is in effect until 3:45 p.m.. At 3:04 p.m. a Severe Thunderstorm was located 6 miles Northwest of Dwight, moving east at 30 mph, and hazards include 70 mph wind gusts.

Trained Weather Spotters reported 70 mph winds 4 miles southwest of Grandview Plaza at 3:00 p.m..

Expect considerable tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings.

Locations impacted include Dwight, White City, Alta Vista, Alma, McFarland, Woodbine, Parkerville, Latmer and Volland.

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The National Weather Service out of Topeka has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Geary County, Northwestern Morris County, Southwestern Riley County, Northeastern Dickinson County until 3:30 p.m..

Trained weather spotters reported 50 to 60 mph wind gusts south of Chapman at 2:35 p.m., expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

As of 2:38 p.m. the severe thunderstorm was located near Chapman moving east at 30  mph.

Locations impacted include Chapman, Junction City, Grandview Plaza, Milford Lake, Ogden, Manhattan and Moonlight.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 282 and 312.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Junction City Post will update this story as more information becomes available.