A grass fire about five miles south of I-70 in the Humboldt Creek Road area of Geary County was still burning at mid-morning Monday.

Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges estimated 180-200 acres has burned.

Berges said the fire is in a hilly area with a lot of low spots. “This whole area has probably not been burned according to the landowners probably about 10-15 years at least.” Berges added the area included a lot of dead trees, leaves, and decayed material. “It’s very hard. We can’t get trucks into it because of how thick the trees are in that area. It’s just watch what’s going on, contain the perimeter of it like we did yesterday ( Sunday ) with the back burn.

There has been no injuries, and no major property damage.

Saturday, March 28^th Geary County 4-H members participated in Regional 4-H Club Day activities in Clay Center, Kansas.  They competed with other 4-H members from the Central Kansas District, the River Valley District, Dickinson County and Marshall County.  Results are as follows.

 

Junior Demonstration or Illustrated Talk

Lindsey Ascher, Brookside 4-H Club – Blue

Rebecca Errington, Lyon Creek 4-H Club – Red

 

Senior Demonstration or Illustrated Talk

Katharine Kellogg, Brookside 4-H Club – Blue

Jaydon Zima, Brookside 4-H Club – Red

 

Project Talks

Kacey Butler, Humboldt 4-H Club – Blue

Travis Leasure, Brookside 4-H Club – Blue

 

Senior Readings

Lauren Moon, Brookside 4-H Club – 1^st Alternate Purple

 

Senior Solo Acting

Danielle Shane, Humboldt 4-H Club – 2^nd Alternate Purple

 

Skits

Lyon Creek 4-H Club – Red

 

Junior Other Talent

Rebecca Errington, Lyon Creek 4-H Club – 1^st Alternate Purple

 

Senior Other Dance

Taylor Curtright, Blue Line 4-H Club – 1^st Alternate Purple

 

Junior Other Dance

Ava Locke, Macie Muto & Sara Rexrode, Humboldt 4-H Club – 2^ndAlternate Purple

 

Senior Vocal Solo

Rebekah Thomas, Lyon Creek 4-H Club – Red

 

Senior Instrumental Solo

Lauren Moon, Brookside 4-H Club – 2^nd Alternate Purple

 

LOLITA C. BALDOR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter is considering easing some military enlistment standards as part of a broader set of initiatives to better attract and keep quality service members and civilians across the Defense Department.

While there are few details yet, Carter is exploring whether to adjust some of the requirements for certain military jobs, such as those involving cyber or high-tech expertise.

The idea, which is largely in line with many civilian sectors, upends the military’s more rigid mindset that puts a high value on standards. And it reignites a persistent debate about how the services approve waivers for recruits who have committed lesser crimes, behaved badly, are older than current regulations allow or have other physical issues that prevent them from joining the military.

Very high fire danger concerns are present for the entire outlook area today as highs reach into the 70s, southwesterly winds gust upwards of 25mph, and relative humidity values drop into the lower 20 percent range. These mostly sunny skies and mild conditions will continue through mid week with temperatures soaring into the low/mid 80s by Wednesday. A cold front is expected to move through Wednesday night, bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms to the area. There is a slight risk for some of these storms to be severe, primarily along and north of a line stretching from Emporia to Lawrence. The main threats with the strongest storms will be large hail and damaging winds.

Today: Sunny. Highs around 74. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph increasing to around 15 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 25 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows around 44. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the northwest after midnight.

Tuesday: Sunny. Highs around 79. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Breezy. Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. South winds 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s.

Thursday: Cooler. Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s.

Thursday Night: Colder. Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 40s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Friday: Cooler. Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 50s.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 30s.

Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday Night And Sunday: Partly cloudy. Lows around 40. Highs in the mid 60s.

 

MANHATTAN — A Kansas State University animal health leader has been chosen to engage local, regional and national stakeholders in the development of strategic partnerships for theNational Bio and Agro-defense Facility, or NBAF.

The Department of Homeland Security has selected Dr. Marty Vanier, the university’s director of operations at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, to be the senior program manager for strategic partnership development. Vanier will start her new responsibilities with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate in April.

“Dr. Vanier’s background will help to catalyze innovation and future planning in support of NBAF by establishing and furthering partnerships with industry, end users and key stakeholders,” said DHS NBAF director James Johnson.The Department of Homeland Security has selected Marty Vanier, the university’s director of operations at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, to be the senior program manager for strategic partnership development. Vanier will start her new responsibilities with the DHS Science and Technology Directorate in April.

Construction on the $1.25 billion animal disease research laboratory will begin in May and is expected to be completed in 2020. The lab is on the northeast edge of Kansas State University’s Manhattan campus.

“We congratulate Marty Vanier on this recognition, as she is the ideal leader to engage a variety of stakeholders in the process of transitioning NBAF to Kansas,” said Kirk Schulz, president of Kansas State University. “With leaders like Dr. Vanier, Kansas State University is poised to continue important research collaborations and to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”

As part of her new responsibilities with DHS, Vanier will engage internal and external stakeholders, including government entities, the livestock community, animal health industry and educational institutions.

“NBAF brings an opportunity for expanded education and training of scientists and veterinarians who are engaged in protecting livestock and the security of our food supply and also are engaged with partners in human health and assisting them in controlling zoonotic diseases,” Vanier said.

Through her work as director of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, Vanier led the center’s mission to develop programs and capabilities that address threats to the national and world agricultural economy.

Vanier said she was looking forward to engaging all NBAF stakeholders in creating a more secure food supply.

“I want to help design new ways for folks in agricultural production to engage in this laboratory effort,” Vanier said. “This is an opportunity to bring the end users of the products of the research that will come out of NBAF and allow them to assist in identifying the needs and issues that are important to them. They can be a part of the assessment of the threats and risks to agricultural enterprise in the U.S. and have a real stake in the outcomes of the research in the laboratory.”

Vanier received her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University in 1979 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1981. She began her career in veterinary pharmaceutical and food safety policy. In 1987, she became deputy director for information and legislative affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety and inspection service.

Vanier first joined Kansas State University in 1989 as a research assistant for the food safety consortium in the animal sciences and industry department. From 1992 to 1999, she also served as executive director for the Kansas Agricultural Alliance, a coalition of statewide agricultural commodity and agribusiness organizations. She became director of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center in 2003.

NBAF will be the nation’s foremost animal disease research facility. The biosafety level-3 and 4 laboratory will research emerging, high-consequence livestock diseases that threaten animal and human health.

Written by Jennifer Tidball on ksu.edu.

 

The fire alarm sounded for Geary County rural firefighters Sunday afternoon.

They responded to a 12900 block site near Humboldt Creek Road where a controlled burn from Saturday had rekindled.

No one was injured, but Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges confirmed a large area of grassland burned, including approximately 80 acres where firefighters set a back burn to put out the main blaze.

The fire jumped Burley Hill Road at one point and came close to a pair of structures, but fire crews were there watching it, and they were able to put it out.

The Geary County Rural Fire Department used seven fire trucks, and approximately 30 volunteers battling the blaze. The Fort Riley Fire Department also responded with two brush rigs to assist.

Berges noted the controlled burn site had been monitored, but early Sunday afternoon due to the strong winds, and change of the wind it rekindled.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported the arrest of two men on I-70 near mile marker 313 on drug-related allegations. The site is about 15 miles east of Junction City.

Aldin Latic, Ballwin, Missouri. was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana with Intent, No Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Speeding, and German Bermudes, Denver, Colorado, Possession of Marijuana with Intent, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The arrests occurred late Friday afternoon.

The first ever Blue and Gold Market at Saint Xavier School on Saturday raised $5,662.

Assistant Principal / Athletic Director Shawn Augustine confirmed the fundraising total.

The coordinator of the event Rebecca Cronander, said it was a successful event. “We had about 57 vendors this year, which is great for our first year.” Cronander added there was a steady flow of shopper traffic.  Officials estimated the turnout between 400 and 500 people.

Items available for sale ranged from paintings done on pallets to crocheted and hand sewn items. Jewelry, candles, and Kansas State items were among things also for sale.

Cronander noted that next year the market will be held earlier, on March 5.  “We’ve already had many vendors ask us when can we come back.”

Funds raised from the Blue and Gold Market will support Saint Xavier Schools and the Saint Xavier PTO ( parent – teacher organization.)

 

 

CONCORDIA- A Kansas teen was injured in an accident just before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Cloud County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Marcus Alexander Dice,18, Onaga, was southbound on 130th Road five miles south and west of Concordia.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled into the west ditch.

Dice was transported to Cloud County Hospital. A passenger Blade Ryan Moody, 19, Salina, was possibly injured. The KHP did not report where or if he was treated. They were not wearing seat belts according to the KHP.

It is shaping up to be a nice weekend with temperatures moderating into the 50s and 60s. A few morning sprinkles are possible today across eastern Kansas and scattered showers are possible Sunday morning. Dry conditions and mostly sunny skies are expected for the early half of next week with temperatures continuing to rise into the 70s. There is a chance for storms to develop across the area late Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday night.

Today: Sunny. Highs around 60. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Lows around 44. South winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 68. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds up to 5 mph shifting to the southwest after midnight.

Monday: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.

Monday Night And Tuesday: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the mid 70s.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows around 50.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 40s.

Thursday: Cooler. Mostly sunny with chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy with chance of rain and isolated thunderstorms. Lows around 40. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Friday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs around 60.