U.S. Senator Jerry Moran is accepting applications for nominations to the U.S. Service Academies. They include the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y. Those selected will enter the academies in June 2016.

Selections are based on SAT or ACT test scores, class rank, grade point average, school records, extracurricular activities, leadership potential, motivation, recommendations and interview evaluations. Applicants must meet the individual admission requirements of each academy in order to Sen. Moran’s nomination.

The application deadline is Sept. 4, 2015. Applicants will be required to interview with Sen. Moran’s Service Academy Selection Board on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2015, at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. Academies will make the final decision on who will receive an appointment of admission in early 2016.

Interested applicants can request application materials on Sen. Moran’s website at moran.senate.gov under the “Services” menu, or by calling Sen. Moran’s Olathe office at 913-393-0711. Additional information is also available online at moran.senate.gov.

Two area residents have received a thank you for their contributions to their communities.

Connie Dix, Herington, and John McMarrell, Chapman, were selected to receve free fuel from Tanks of Thanks, a program that rewards people who do good deeds to help make their community just a little bit better.

The Tanks of Thanks program from CHS and Cenex retailers encourages people to nominate friends, family and neighbors for free fuel as a way to say thank you for doing good in the community. Each month, CHS and Cenex give away more than $5,000 in free fuel through the Tanks of Thanks program.

Dix was nominated for her efforts to care for a local elderly woman, Edna Lorei. Connie reglarly spends time with Edna, cares for her, and takes her meals.

McMarrell was nominated for his dedication as a local mechanic in Chapman.

Recently, Dix and McMarrell were selected to receive $50 Tanks of Thanks gift cards, which are redeemable at any Cenex location.

Junction City police reports included arrests.

–John R. Esquivel II, 19, Junction City, suspicion of Theft. The arrest occurred at Wal Mart.

–Matthew A. Teague, 30, White City, suspicion of Domestic Battery. He was arrested at exit 295 / US 77 Highway.

–Isiah D. Devine, 23, Junction City, suspicion of Battery. The arrest occurred at 529 West 12th Street.

–Two people were arrested at Wal Mart in the same case on suspicion of Theft. They included Lashenae S. Wheeler, 19, Kansas City, and Jasmine S. Carmickel, 20, Kansas City.

The first ever Blue and Gold Market fundraiser is Saturday at the Bradley Gym at Saint Xavier School.

Sean Augustine, Saint Xavier School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director, said, “It’s a big event to get all of our adults, our parents, our students all involved with that.” Augustine added, “Basically on Saturday from 8:30 until 4, there’s going to be all kinds of arts crafts, different vendors for people to come in and check out.”

Augustine noted the money raised will fund things at the school, and the PTO ( parent – teacher organization ) for Saint Xavier. “PTO again, is things that are going to help with the school as well.”

There is a $1 admission charge. That will make those who attend eligible for an IPad drawing.

During the event there will be a bake sale, you can purchase breakfast or lunch, and have a picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

 

The annual Geary County 4H / Senior Citizens Center building fundraiser will be April 11.

According to Chuck Otte, Extension Agent, dinner for the event that raises funds to support the building, will be served from 6-7 p.m that evening. A silent auction will held throughout the evening, and this year there will be entertainment.

“We’ve got a cowboy poet, columnist for Grass and Grain, Glenn Brunkow….very entertaining, talks  about life on the farm, cowboy poetry, just got a whole thing.”

This year organizers are hoping to raise enough money to finish restroom upgrade projects, and possibly add some new signage to the outside of the building.

Motions in the Geary County District Court case for Anthony S. Nichols were heard in court Friday.

Nichols is charged in the shooting death of Anthony Nixon, 37, Junction City on September 7, 2013, at the intersection of 10th and Webster.

Steve Opat, Geary County Attorney, said the court took defense motions under advisement, “with regard to striking certain proposed testimony. We’ll get a ruling on that by email next week. She denied  the other motions with regard to the introduction of evidence. Those will probably be modified at the time that the evidence is presented.” Opat added, “But those are all evidentiary matters yet to be presented to the jury.”

Nichols is facing four criminal charges in Geary County. Opat stated, ” Mr. Nichols is charged here with two counts of First Degree Murder, in the alternative premeditated murder and felony murder committed in the course of the commission of an armed robbery, and of course, since it was alleged to be committed with a firearm, Felon in Possession, because he’s a previously convicted felon.”

Nichols is also charged with First Degree Murder in a Riley County case stemming from the stabbing death of John Burroughs, 68, Manhattan on September 8, 2013. The trial for Nichols in Riley County is scheduled July 16.

Fort Riley has issued a release noting the post is hosting a hiring event for AECOM.

AECOM is seeking to hire qualified production and manufacturing workers during an employer day April 9 at Fort Riley.

The event, which is focused toward Soldiers transitioning from the service, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Building 210, Room 118D.

Available career areas include welding, machinist, and electrical. Those attending the employer day should bring their resume, and be prepared to meet the hiring manager.

WASHINGTON – Thursday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed an amendment (#356) to the Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res. 11) authored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that makes clear the Senate’s strong support for requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (the Choice Act) as Congress intended. By passing Amendment #356 by a vote of 100 to 0, the Senate has called on the VA to provide veterans access to non-VA health care when the nearest VA medical facility within 40 miles drive time from a veteran’s home is incapable of offering the care sought by the veteran. The VA is currently forcing thousands of veterans to choose between traveling hours to a VA medical facility, paying out of pocket, or going without care altogether.

The amendment passed by the Senate today mirrors Sen. Moran’s Veterans Access to Community Care Act of 2015 (S. 207), legislation cosponsored by a bipartisan group of 18 Senators. Sen. Moran is hopeful that the strong support conveyed by the Senate’s passage of his budget amendment will encourage a passage of S. 207 out of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and a vote on the Senate Floor.

S. 207 has been endorsed by numerous veterans’ organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America and the National Guard Association of the United States as well as the National Rural Health Association.

Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor prior to the vote on Amendment #356, describing the ongoing problem veterans’ face accessing the care they were promised through the Choice Act because the VA is not considering whether the VA facility within 40 miles of where a veteran lives actually offers the care a veteran needs.

The third annual Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll will be Saturday, April 4, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature an Easter egg hunt, games, face painting, Easter bunny photos, a scavenger hunt, and more.

The egg hunt will begin promptly at 1 p.m. when the siren sounds.

“The Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll is a great partnership between several fine Abilene organizations,” said Karl Weissenbach, director. “We are pleased to host this community event each year and hope everyone enjoys exploring our various exhibits. Admission to the Museum is free all day.”

“Due to last year’s success, we have ordered 8,000 eggs to be distributed on the grounds. We look forward to another fun-fill egg hunt to start the afternoon festivities. Thanks to the staff at the Eisenhower Presidential Library for hosting this annual event. Remember to be there early!” adds Jane Foltz, director of the Abilene Parks and Recreation Department.

The Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll is modeled after the White House Easter Egg Roll that began in 1878. The Egg Roll is one of the oldest annual events in White House history, although the event was cancelled occasionally during times of war and austerity. The Egg Roll resumed in 1953 after a 12-year hiatus when the Eisenhowers moved into the White House. Mamie Eisenhower desegregated the Egg Roll by inviting all children regardless of race to the event.

The Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll is produced in partnership with the Abilene Parks and Recreation Department, Eisenhower Foundation, and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home. Other organizations volunteering their services for the activities include the Abilene Kid’s Council and students from Abilene High School Future Business Leaders of America and Student Council.

Friday will be cool, but will also signify a persistent warming trend that tops out with temperatures approaching 80 by Tuesday! There is a chance for showers tonight and Saturday night, but any rainfall should be light.

Today: Mostly cloudy. Highs around 48. North winds up to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers. Lows around 33. Southeast winds up to 10 mph.

Saturday: Not as cool. Mostly sunny. Highs around 61. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. South winds 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph.

Sunday Night And Monday: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Highs in the lower 70s.

Monday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s.

Tuesday And Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s. Lows around 50.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the lower 70s.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 40s.

Thursday: Mostly sunny. Highs around 70.