CLAY CENTER- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just before 5 p.m. on Sunday in Clay County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Malibu driven by Trish A. Svoboda, 31, Clay Center, was southbound on Kansas 15 eight miles north of Clay Center.

The vehicle went off the roadway to the west. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle entered the west ditch and overturned.

Svoboda was transported to Clay Center Medical Center.

The KHP reported she was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

 

Geary County rural firefighters responded to seven fire calls over the Saturday – Sunday time frame.

Garry Berges, Rural Fire Chief, reviewed the fires that occurred on Saturday and the estimated acreage and property that burned.

–A  skid loader belonging to Wayne Gfeller burned in a fire west of Junction City. A small amount of grass fire in that incident was brought under control.

–Six acres in a grass and tree fire near K-177 Highway, six miles south of I-70

–Five acres of grass following a fire that followed target shooting in which something richocheted, and caused the blaze

–Ten acres in a grass and tree fire near Schmedeman Road eight miles south of I-70

–And a fire near Clarks Creek Road that was believe to be out then extended into a rubbish and trash area.

Berges said on Sunday there were two more fires.

–Near Tri-County Road about three miles north and two miles east of Dwight, there was a 10-acre grass fire

–And near Tully Hill and Humboldt Creek Roads six miles east of Junction City there was a controlled burn which rekindled, and caught on fire. An estimated 25 acres of grassland burned.

There were no injuries in any of the fires. Berges noted all were either controlled burns or accidental fires.  He estimated the Geary County Rural Fire Department used approximately 25 firefighters and six fire trucks in battling the fires.

The man accused in the March 15 death of Sharon Moody, 52, Junction City, is facing charges of premeditated First Degree Murder, felony First Degree Murder, and Aggravated Robbery.

Geary County Attorney Steve Opat confirmed those charges have been filed in Geary County District Court against Daniel E. Edwards, 34.

Authorities, including the county attorney have not provided specifics on the cause of death.  “Suffice it to say she was the victim of a vicious homcide.”

A status check is scheduled in the case for Edwards on Thursday morning in Geary County District Court, and a preliminary hearing is on the schedule that afternoon. Opat stated, “Prelim is set for 1:30 also, but I suspect it will be continued. We do not have the autopsy. There’s some forensic evidence that we’re waiting on. So my suspicion is the preliminary hearing will not be anytime soon.”

Bond for Edwards in the case has been set at $1 million dollars.

 

 

Geary County Sheriff’s deputies responded to U.S. 77 Highway early Saturday to a single vehicle rollover accident.

Daniel Moeller, Milford, was traveling southbound in a 1998 Dodge Dakota when he left the roadway and over corrected,  causing the vehicle to roll. Minor injuries were reported.

 

WAKEFIELD – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 7 p.m. on Saturday in Clay County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Dodge Truck driven by Cody Cramer, 21, Emporia, was traveling westbound on 9th Road four miles west of Wakefield.

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The truck went off the road and over turned.

Cramer was transported to Clay County Medical Center.

The KHP reported he was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN – Saturday was a busy day for firefighters in Riley County. The Manhattan Fire Department, Blue Township Fire Department and Riley County Fire Department were called to numerous brush fires.

According to Riley County Emergency Management Director Pat Collins 140 acres burned near the KSU Animal Science property adjacent to Top of the World Drive.

The fire threatened 5 homes and took 13 apparatus and 27 firefighters 5 hours to get under control.

An outbuilding on Eureka Drive was completely lost in a grass fire.

Fire crews were called to six other grass fires, all less than 10 acres in size on Saturday. There were no injuries reported.

Earlier this past week the director of the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Connie Hall, expressed concern about a bill in the Kansas House that would impose a four-percent statewide transient guest tax. That would be a tax paid by users of lodging facilities. It would have been in addition to the transient guest tax already charged in Geary County, and the sales taxes.

But on Friday Hall confirmed that the CVB has received that the state TGT bill has been taken off of the table.

Hall said that’s in response to the lobbying efforts of the members of the Travel Industry Association of Kansas and the Kansas Restaurant & Hospital Association, in addition to the members of the Governor’s Council on Tourism.

Hall added although they are relieved that the measure will no longer be pursued, the TIAK Board of Directors and Advocacy Committees encourage continued  education efforts with legislators on the negative impact such a bill would have on the tourism industry.

ELLSWORTH- A Kansas man was injure in an accident just before 10 p.m. on Friday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1995 GMC Sierra pickup driven by Kyle P. Lee, 27, Herrington, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Kansas 14.

The driver lost control of his vehicle due to a blown rear passenger side tire. The truck rolled in the median.

Lee was transported to the hospital in Ellsworth.
The KHP reported he was not wearing a seat belt.

The next Military Affairs Council breakfast in Junction City is Thursday, March 26 at the Geary County Convention Center. Colonel Peter Minalga, 4th Infantry Brigade Commander, will be the guest speaker.

The breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m.

The deadline to register for the breakfast will be Monday, March 23. Cost of the breakfast is $12 per person, payable by check or cash at the door or prior to the event at the Chamber of Commerce office.

To make a reservation, contact the Chamber at 762-2632 or junctioncitychamber@junctioncitychamber.org.

 

aTa Bus fixed routes are one step closer for Junction City.

A member of the advisory committee for aTa Bus, Florence Whitebread, said after a meeting on Friday that they are working with a study group from the University of Kansas to determine the number of fixed bus routes that will initially be put in place.

Four buses have already been ordered to serve Junction City.

Whitebread said they looked at different areas where there is high usage. “One of the highest usage is the high school. Then next is getting to work.” She added all the areas were reviewed. Now the KU group will determine the actual routes and timing. Whitebread expects another meeting will probably be held on the subject in April.

ATa Bus is a public bus transportation service that provides service in the Manhattan, Junction City, and Wamego area. Right now the bus rides in Junction City are provided by appointment.