MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State plans to remove most of the 251 ash trees on its Manhattan campus in advance of an expected infestation from the emerald ash borer.

The insect is decimating the ash tree population as it moves west across the country.

Dave Bruton, a forester with the Kansas Forest Service, says the ash borer is not yet in Manhattan. He says the university is removing the trees now so it doesn’t have to take them all out at the same time when the emerald ash borer arrives.

The Manhattan Mercury reports the trees that will be removed are those with poor structure, serious defects or in poor locations. Replacement trees will be planted.

The ash trees will be milled for lumber to be used in design or capital building projects.

PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) is seeking public input on Kansas’ Monarch Conservation Plan through May 30. The Kansas Monarch Conservation Plan outlines a 20-year objective to conserve, enhance and create pollinator habitat on private, public and urban lands through non-regulatory, voluntary efforts.

Kansas is a national stronghold for monarch conservation and is uniquely positioned to conserve and enhance large acreages and landscapes ideal for monarch migratory and breeding habitat.

The Kansas Monarch Conservation Plan serves as a guiding document to support ongoing and future conservation efforts, taking into account that successful implementation of the plan will require a multi-sector approach. For this reason, KDWPT has collaborated with individuals from ranching and farming organizations, conservation organizations, industry, agencies, academia, and tribal nations – representing 68 organizations – to set voluntary goals for the conservation of monarchs and other native pollinators.

Any individual or entity planning, implementing or funding monarch conservation activities in Kansas should reference this document and consider providing input.

To view the draft version online, visit https://ksoutdoors.com/Wildlife-Habitats/Wildlife-Conservation/Kansas-Monarch-Conservation-Plan.

For more information on the plan, and to provide input, contact Megan Rohweder at megan.rohweder@ks.gov.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department Saturday night planned to close K-18 Highway westbound in an area just east of Milford Lake Road in the western part of the county. Barricades were also going to be put up over Clarks Creek Road near a low water crossing in the southeast part of the county. The information was provided by Geary County Emergency Management.

Torrential rains have dropped up to three inches of rain across the area that includes eastern Dickinson, western Geary,  southwestern Riley and eastern Clay counties.

The National Weather Service put a flash flood warning in effect until 2:45 a.m.

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Westar Energy reported seven power outages about 11:30 Saturday night in Junction City, affecting 1,235 customers or sites.

A check with the JCPD dispatch revealed power outages were reported in the Westwood area in Junction City, the Milford area, and the vicinity of Commanche on the west side of Junction City.

At one point or another Donald “Don” Whitebread may have entertained you in Junction City and Geary County.

He graced the radio airwaves at KJCK Radio during his career as a DJ, performed in more than 80 Junction City Little Theater shows, and worked in dance band gigs during a varied and interesting career. Whitebread attended radio school and worked in that industry from the late 1940’s into the early 1970’s, and met and later married his wife Florence ( former Geary County Commissioner ) after they met while they both worked at KJCK in the late 1950s.

Don Whitebread of rural Geary County was remembered during funeral services Saturday at Johnson Cremations, Funerals & Receptions in Junction City. He passed away May 11 at the age of 91.

His daughter, Cleion, noted “Sharp” as he was sometimes called, was a man of fiesty spirit and many talented gifts who valued education, and knew what it took to push his children in that direction. She said her father also believed if you were well spoken you could get somewhere.

She noted that theater and music were Don Whitebread’s escape. When dad wasn’t playing music he was listening to it..” In the early years of the Junction City Little Theater that was often home away from home for the family.

Pastor Doug Brown closed out his comments by saying this was the final curtain call for Don. “To you we tip our hats. The show is over now. So long, farewell, until we meet again somewhere over the rainbow. Welcome home.”

Eight students received dipolmas at Saint Xavier High School on Saturday,

Minseo Park was named the valedictorian. He remembered arriving at Saint X as a sixth grade student from South Korea, and how he was able to grow there. “With these many people’s support and love I could develop myself from outsider to insider who tried hard to be involved in school and community activities.” Park pointed to how he learned how to cooperate with other people as a community by playing high school basketball. ” I think attending St. X was the best choice I made when I came to America.”

Yujin Seo was the salutatorian. “The teachers have inspired me to become a successful student and leader. The peers that I have built strong camaradie with have provided me with genuine joy and significant memories I will never forget.”

Jacob Keating was recognized as a Pioneer student, the member of the class who attended Saint Xavier schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Members of the class of 2019 include Cameron Augustine, Jacob Berry, Jacob Keating, Sungpil Moon, Minseo Park, Yujin Seo, Damon Smith Jr. and Tamia Stamper.

Geary County Clerk Rebecca Nordyke has announced another candidate filing for a seat on the USD 475 Board of Education.

Kristy M. Haden of Junction City has filed for election. She joins Jim Schmidt and Ron Johnson on the list of candidates who have filed for election to the Board.

In the Junction City Commission race Pat Landes and Nathan Butler have filed for election to a seat on that governing body.

The filing deadline is noon, Monday, June 3rd.