According to the National Weather Service of Topeka, cooler weather is expected this week due to some Canadian air moving south. Temperatures are forecast to be below normal, generally in the 50s and 60s. Periods of rain and possibly a thunderstorm should overspread the region late Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday morning.

Today: Sunny. Highs around 67. North winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows around 45. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. Highs around 60. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: Showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: Cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning…then slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Wednesday Night Through Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower 60s.

Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s.

Friday Night: Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

Saturday: Thunderstorms likely. Highs around 70. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Saturday Night: Thunderstorms likely. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Sunday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s.

 

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will host a special on-campus

ceremony to commemorate Memorial Day and the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

The ceremony starts at 2 p.m. Monday, May 25, in front of the university’sVietnam Veterans Memorial. Media and members of the community are invited to attend the ceremony, which will include motorcycle riders and remarks from campus and community veterans.

The university is among the academic institutions selected to partner with the U.S. Department of Defense to commemorate the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary with events from 2015 to 2017.

“We are bound by duty and humbled by our responsibility to remember the 42 fallen Kansas State University students who committed their lives to serving our nation during the Vietnam War,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Art DeGroat, the university’s executive director of military and veterans affairs. “While our K-State Vietnam Memorial stands in honor to these fallen students every day on our campus, we as a grateful people need to assemble to hear their names be spoken in memorial so that we shall never forget them.”

For the Memorial Day ceremony, motorcycle riders will leave the Manhattan Town Center parking lot at 1:30 p.m. and arrive by 2 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the university’s Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.

The ceremony will include an introduction from retired Col. Mike McDermott, the university’s Vietnam commemoration chairman, and remarks from Ron Trewyn, the university’s NBAF liaison and a Vietnam veteran.

The 5th squadron 4th cavalry regiment will post the colors. Vietnam veteran Tom Fryer will read the names of the 42 Vietnam veterans inscribed on the university’s memorial and Vietnam veteran Chuck Tannehill will play taps.

KTWU’s “Sunflower Journeys” will film the ceremony and air an episode about the event.

Written by Jennifer Tidball on ksu.edu.

 

The 30^th Annual Project Graduation was a success with 139 students in attendance at Junction City High School.

Graduates were involved in numerous activities that began at 10:00 p.m. and ended shortly after 3:00 a.m.

There was 3 on 3 basketball, volleyball, board games, and the famous dodge ball.

Those in attendance received gift cards that ranged in value of $10 to $20  to various locations that included Chik-Fila, Burger King, Bed Bath and Beyond, Olive Garden, Walmart and Sonic to name a few.

There was plenty of food that included Pizza donated by Pizza Hut, Subway sandwiches, chips, and a variety of soda, water and sports drinks.

This event is not possible without the continued support from the Community and parent involvement. A special thank you to those parents who dedicated their time tonight to allow these graduates to celebrate their accomplishment together in a safe environment.

Dana Weigand — Senior Class Advisor

 

 

Sunday was a big day for seniors at Junction City and Saint Xavier High Schools….Graduation Day!

Katharine Kellogg was was named the Valedictorian at Junction City High School.   Melissa Sharp, Principal, told the audience at the Al Simpler Stadium Kellogg was the recipient of the Bonecutter-

Jellison-Geary Community Schools Foundation Scholarship totaling $1,000, an AP Scholar with honors at the national level, in the top one percent of the graduates in Kansas, a member of the Scholars Bowl League champion team, and finished with a grade point average of 4.437.

Kellogg told JC Post commencement seemed surreal. “Kind of like it doesn’t feel like it’s really happening yet. I’ve done this with the band for three years ( performed at graduation ). The setup’s real familiar. And it hasn’t quite hit that I’m the one graduating this time.”

Antonio Carter Jr. was the Salutatorian for the Class of 2015.  He wished his classmates good luck, saying during his time at the graduation podium, “I think of this as a start rather than the end.”

The commencement ceremony concluded with a brief memorial remembering two students and one teacher who had passed away while the Class attended JCHS. They included students Brandon Bramlage and Madison Frisbee, and JCHS teacher Mark Ervin.

There were 311 graduates in the Class of 2015.

 

Saint Xavier High School Commencement

At Saint Xavier High School diplomas were presented to six seniors this year.

Two teachers, Rodney Case and Kristen Dinsmore, were selected by the graduating class to serve as commencement speakers. Case told the graduates to be proud of themselves for accomplishing this goal. “Job well done.”  Dinsmore told the graduates to, “just keep swimming,” meaning to persevere. And she added, “You have an advantage when it comes to being able to persevere. You can fall back on what you have learned in your time at Saint Xavier to help you move forward.”

Krystina Sunley was named the Class Valedictorian, and Peter Paras Jr. the Salutatorian.

Junction City has become a regular stop for the central route of the Run for the Wall Riders as they make their way from Los Angeles, California to Washington D.C. where they will reach their final destination at the Vietnam Memorial.

During their stop in Junction City the riders were escorted to Heritage Park by Geray County Sheriff Tony Wolf, JCPD Captain Dan Breci and City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald. Once at Heritage Park the riders participated in a POW/MIA Memorial Service at the State of Kansas Vietnam Memorial.

Run for the Wall Riders include Veterans of various past wars and patriots who want to do their part in recognizing our Nations Veterans, and this year the Ride includes a Medal of Honor Recipient.

Master Sergeant (Ret) Leroy Petry was presented the Medal of Honor in 2011 by President Barrack Obama for actions in 2008 during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petry was a member of a team on a mission to capture a Taliban target in Paktia Province on May 26th, 2008, when was wounded in both legs by gunfire, but continue to fight and give orders. When a grenade landed between him and two other soldiers, Petry grabbed it and attempted to throw it away when it exploded, saving the soldiers’ lives but severing his right hand.

He told the crowd Sunday during the POW/MIA Memorial Service that when he found out about the Run for the Wall he knew he had to participate and this is his first year.

“It really made since to me what they were doing. It’s like the Medal of Honor for myself, it’s not for self but it’s to honor all, and that’s exactly what they’re doing when they do the ride,” said Petry.

Petry went on to say that he’s seen the support that the Run for the Wall Riders receive but he kept hearing along the ride,”Wait until you get to Junction City.”

“I saw why as we rode in, and I see why looking at your faces here today.”

Following the ceremony the riders went to the JC Nazarene Church for dinner. They will stay the night Sunday before heading out early Monday morning for the next leg of their trip.

The ride will culminate on May 23rd and 24th when the three routes will join back together in Arlington, Virginia, and participate in Rolling Thunder at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C..

 

Despite the rain Mudd Bogg went on as scheduled…..and the spectators were there to watch.

Coordinator Eric Boland confirmed all the racing was completed. The event went on despite the rain.

“We had some diehard mud racing fans out there. It rained a little bit, a few of them left, then they came back when the rain stopped.  They hung out in there maybe until 5 o’clock. They just stuck it out and stuck it out. It was great.” Boland added a big crowd was in attendance for the beginning of the racing at 1 p.m.

Additional racing activity continued through the evening on Saturday until about 9:15. Fans stayed in the rain to watch.

One vehicle rolled over and another sustained some front end damage during the competition, but there were no injuries. Boland noted the drivers take all the necessary safety precautions ranging from neck braces and helmets to seat belts and fire suits.

Mudd Bogg raises funds for Sundown Salute. The total raised should be known early next week.

 

The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of two people on drug related allegations.

Police reported that two South Carolina residents, Kenneth Shimer, 39, and Christine Gilbeau were arrested at mile marker 307  on I-70 east of Junction City on suspicion of Possession With Intent to Sell, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

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In other cases the JCPD reported the arrest of:

–James Duke Burton III, 32, Junction City, on a Riley County warrant charging him with Aggravated Battery. The arrested occurred at 3 a.m. Saturday in the 1700 block of North Jackson Street.

–Virginia Brooks, 43, Junction City, on suspicion of Aggravated Assault and Domestic Battery. She was arrested at 5:10 South Washington on Friday evening.

–Caryn Lois Hearn, 52, on suspicion of Domestic Battery in a Rude Manner. That arrest occurred Friday night in the 200 block of East Fourth Street.

–Tynacia Brown, 19, Wichita, on suspicion of Theft. The arrest occurred Friday evening at 521 East Chestnut Street.

 

According to the National Weather Service of Topeka, there is an enhanced risk for severe weather on Saturday, May 16.

They are reporting that, “while much of the morning hours should remain dry, there is a chance for some scattered storms to develop during the afternoon hours, with a broken line of storms expected to advance into central Kansas by late afternoon/early evening and continue tracking eastward through the evening hours. Large hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats, but cannot rule out a few isolated tornadoes. At this time the best potential for severe storms looks to be across central Kansas and further west.”

The Little Apple Post will update as weather develops in the area.

Saturday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Saturday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Engines were roaring and mud flying on opening night of Mudd Bogg in Junction City.

Competitors from across the Midwest participated in the event where supercharged trucks and cars are timed as they race through a 200-foot long pit of mud.

There were fast times in the two-and-a-half second range for the vehicles. Eric Boland noted this event attracted some top drivers. “A lot of bad boys here, a lot of bad boys.”

Boland noted there were Chevrolet trucks entered with big blocks, 570 to 600 cubic inch nitrous, blowing alcohol. “It’s crazy the power they have.” He estimated the investment in different vehicles ranged anywhere from $15,000 up to $80,000 to $90,000.

There was a big turnout for Mudd Bogg, which continues Saturday at 1 p.m. in the 1000 block of Grant Avenue. The admission price is $10.   The event helps raise funds for the Fourth of July celebration in Junction City, called Sundown Salute.

 

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has completed an investigation of two separate alleged burglaries at Clem’s Convenience Store and Storage,  north of Junction City along U.S. highway 77.

Sheriff Tony Wolf confirms a Milford resident, Timothy Joel Roberts, has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of Burglary, three counts Theft, and one count of Criminal Damage to Property.

Wolf  said storage units belonging to the business were burglarized.

Wolf said during the investigation the Sheriff’s Department discovered that Roberts was allegedly operating an unlicensed illegal business called, “Simply Repaired.” According to several victims, Roberts was taking in broken or damaged electronic devices such as cell phones and computers, in exchange for money, with the expectation that he would fix the broken or damaged items. The preliminary investigation has shown that Roberts may have sold numerous items that he was paid to repair without the knowledge or consent of the owners.

The Sheriff said if you believe you are a victim of this type of criminal activity involving Timothy Roberts and would like to file a police report, contact the Geary County Sheriff’s Department.