Today and Thursday are expected to be dry with near normal temperatures for this time of year. Chances for thunderstorms return Thursday night into Friday, with severe storms possible Friday afternoon into Friday evening. We are a few days out from this system, and the track may change, so stay tuned for updates!

Today: Sunny. Highs around 58. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows around 38. East winds up to 10 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 64. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday Night: Not as cool. Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph.

Friday: Thunderstorms likely. Highs in the lower 60s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Friday Night: Thunderstorms likely. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 60 percent.

Saturday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

Sunday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the lower 60s.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy with chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Monday: Partly sunny with a 30 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 40s.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

Kansas State University has named Tammy Beckham as the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, effective August 2.

Beckham is currently the director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, or IIAd, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in College Station, Texas. Since 2010, she has led the IIAd’s efforts to perform research and develop products to defend the nation from high-consequence foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic diseases.

Beckham has also served as director of the Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

The Junction City Commission held it’s annual re-organization Tuesday night, and elected Junction City’s new Mayor and Vice Mayor.

Mick McCallister was named Mayor for the coming year. He was nominated by James Sands and was approved on a 5-0 vote. McCallister succeeds Mike Ryan. Commissioner Ryan then nominated Sands for Vice Mayor, and Sands was approved on a 5-0 vote.

Mayor McCallister outlined three goals of his for the coming year,”Obviously the first thing is the Land Bank, we need to keep moving forward on that so we can get those lots back on the tax rolls, that’s pretty important. The next goal coming up here real soon is working on the budget, and that is always a tedious time of the year that takes a lot of time, a lot of thought and a lot of research.”

The third goal was to continue focusing on Regionalism and finding funding for the Flint Hills Regional Council.

Also during the re-organization Commissioners Pat Landes and Jim Sands, along with incoming Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald took their oaths of office. Landes and Fitzgerald were recently elected to four year terms and Sands was elected to a two year term in the April 7th election.

Outgoing Commissioner Cecil Aska did not elect to run for a second term on the governing body. Before parting the Commission Aska said that before coming involved with the Commission four years ago he only knew so much, and it wasn’t until after he became apart of the Commission did he realize the state of the City, and now how far they have come.

“We can’t go backwards. I know that I will be there anytime to give you my perspective on things. Give you my perspective from the folks that I deal with, where they are coming from on stuff,” said Aska. “I guess I just want to send the message that I trust you and I trust the new City Commission to do what is going to be in the best interest of Junction City.”

The Commissioners were then named to the various boards that they will serve on for the coming year. They include:

Pat Landes-Library Board, Land Bank Advisory Committee.

Phyllis Fitzgerald-CVB, Housing Board.

Mick McCallister-Military Affairs, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Flint Hills Regional Council.

Jim Sands-CVB, EDC Advisory Committee, Flint Hills Regional Council.

Mike Ryan-Animal Shelter, EDC Advisory Committee, Flint Hills Regional Council.

The Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Advisory Committee has recommended approval on the Bureau’s budget for 2016. The spending plan would total $575,000 with project income of that same amount.  The spending plan still must be approved by both the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce and Geary County Commission before it can become final.

In other business the CVB:

–The Board received an update on a wayfaring signage project that could be either a one or two year project. Signs will be coordinated to direct tourists and general public to key locations.

–The Cabela’s National Team Championship Walleye Tournament is coming to Milford Lake May 28-30. On the evening of the 27th there will be a banquet for the teams entered in the tournament. So far 181 two-man teams have qualified for the tournament.

–Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mark Ediger reported that there will be discussion on economic development issues at the Chamber Quarterly Breakfast April 28 at the convention center. It begins at 7:30 a.m. Admission is $5, payable at the door.

–The Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new CEO. The position is currently vacant.

–Monday, April 27, will be the Larry Mcgill Legislative Fishing Day at Milford Lake. Forty-one members of the Kansas Legislature are expected to attend. CVB Director Connie Hall reported that Governor Brownback will fish that day. The CVB partners with the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents on this event.

Release from Hugh Davis, Executive Director of Communications, USD 475

On March 24th, six students traveled to the State Future Business Leaders of America competition in Topeka at the Expo center.  Students from all over the state competed in multiple Business competitive events.  A senior member, Christina Brunton was the only JCHS member to place.  She earned 10th place in the Business Procedures competition.  It is very difficult to place as there are sometimes over 50-100 contestants in some of the events.

 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A 20-year-old Kansas man has pleaded not guilty to federal charges accusing him of trying to bomb an Army installation for a terrorist group.

John T. Booker Jr. appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, wearing an orange jumpsuit and his legs in shackles. The Topeka Capital-Journal (https://bit.ly/1OChysl ) reports Booker politely responded to Judge James P. O’Hara’s questions as he entered his plea.

He’s charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempting to damage property by means of an explosive and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group.

The Topeka man was arrested near Junction City on April 10 by FBI agents who say he was trying to arm a fake car bomb he planned to detonate at Fort Riley.

The final total is still being calculated, but the fundraising total from the recent Saint Xavier School Auction is estimated to have exceeded the $100,000 mark.

Assistant Principal Shawn Augustine provided the information. He also noted $23,000 was pledged towards air conditioning for the Bradley Gym at the school.

More than 300 people attended the event.

The auction raises money to support the Saint Xavier school operations.

The Junction City Police Department will be conducting DUI Saturation patrols throughout the city on Friday night and Saturday morning ( April 24 and 25 ). 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 test. Confirmed impaired drivers will be arrested.

The purpose of the patrols, according to Breci, “is not to harass motorists, but to increase overall motorists  safety.”

The Junction City Pilot Club has made a $540 contribution to the CASA ( Court Appointed Special Advocates ) 2-4-2 fundraising campaign.

The campaign is seeking to raise money to fund four part-time volunteer supervisors for CASA.

The Pilot Club has challenged other civic clubs to make a donation to the campaign.

CASA serves as the spokesman for children in the court process.

Junction City High School math instructor Mark Ervin has passed away.

The school district issued a release stating that last evening Ervin was sent to Geary Community Hospital due to pain in his right leg. A JCHS administrator, a hall monitor, and Ervin’s wife ( Custer Hill Elementary School teacher ) assisted him in getting to the hospital. After initial evaluation, Ervin was life flighted to Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka to undergo further medical review. JCHS was informed Tuesday morning of Ervin’s passing.

The Executive Director of Communication for USD 475, Hugh Davis, stated that counselors and social workers are at the Freshman Success Academy, the Career Academy campus for Junction City High School, and at Custer Hill Elementary School to support staff and students.