Service members stationed at Fort Riley have a new educational option to consider with the establishment of a computer-based degree program from the Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus.

An associate degree in web development technology from Kansas State Polytechnic will be offered at Fort Riley starting in August for the fall 2019 semester. Eligible students include active-duty military members, part-time and reserve service members, veterans, military families and the general public. Courses will be taught at night by instructors at Fort Riley and structured in an eight-week format to accommodate students with military priorities.

Kansas State University is also furnishing a new computer lab to enhance the program’s hands-on lesarning style and focus on practical application.

The associate degree was created to equip students with web design and development expertise essential for growing and changing technologies.

While he program is based on Fort RIley, students can complete the degree online if they deploy, relocate or transition out of the military.

MANHATTAN —The 26th annual K-State Boy Scouts of America Merit Badge Conference and Target First Class Program will take place on Saturday, April 27. There will be over 1,200 Scouts and adult leaders from 118 Troops throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Missouri.

48 merit badge classes will be taught by 75 K-State faculty members and experts from the Manhattan community. Merit badge classes will take place at Colbert Hills Golf Course, Manhattan Airport, Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan Fire Station, and throughout the K-State campus.

Keynote speakers for the past 4 years have been Dr. Kirk Schulz (an Eagle Scout and 13th K-State president), Jerry Moran (member of the Boy Scouts Coronado Area Council Executive Committee and US Senator for Kansas), Richard Myers (a Star Scout, retired four-star general in the US Air Force, 15th Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and 14th K-State president), Dr. Peter Dorhout (an Eagle Scout, award-winning Chemistry professor, current President of the American Chemical Society, and K-State’s Vice President for Research). This year, the keynote speaker is former K-State head football coach, Bill Snyder.

For more information visit CoronadoScout.org

A panel discussion focusing efforts on becoming resources for victims of human trafficking is scheduled Thursday evening at the Church of the Nazarene , 1025 South Washington, Junction City.

The event is titled “Do No Harm.”

The panel begins at 6:45 p.m. with doors opening at 6:15. You can meet the members of the Flint Hills Human Trafficking Task Force.

The information was provided by the Junction City Police Department.

Live Well County has announced that Tyme Out Steakhouse, 101 Continental Drive, in Grandview Plaza has received a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Achievement grant for installation of a main floor family restroom.

The funds will be used to build an accessible restroom on the main floor of the restaurant. Tyme Out is also working with a dietitian contracted by Live Well Geary County to introduce new healthy items to their menu. It will include weekly healthy specials and more options on the children’s menu. With every entree patrons can choose a salad or fruit cup as a side along with or instead of traditional potato offerings.

Owner Ty Glessner said he’s excited about the changes, “the new bathroom will allow customers access without having to go up the stairs to the second floor where the only restroom facility is currently located.” Glessner hopes the addition of new items to the menu will provide customers with an opportunity for healthier choices when dining out.

Geary County is one of 16 Kansas communities selected to participate in the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas program, which is the largest community grant program ever funded by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Live Well Geary County has received a $100,000 coordination grant; Geary County schools, worksites, restaurants, food retail outlets and other organizations have the opportunity to apply for non-competitive implementation and achievement grants amounting to $400,000 through 2020..

The water level at Milford Lake is 9.72 feet high and slowly rising.

That information was provided Wednesday by the Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake, who noted that the Missouri River gauges remain high and a release of water is not in the forecast. Water is being held to prevent downstream flooding.

According to the Corps the forecast calls for an elevation of an additional .86 hundredths of a foot by April 27th.

FUN….that was the story at the Shenk Gym at Junction City High School Wednesday evening.

Teams comprised of community, law enforcement, Coach’s Grill and Bar representatives and the hosts JC Naz enjoyed a donkey basketball tournament to help raise money for the Open Door, Food Pantry of Geary County and Breaking Bread JC.. Several hundred people attended the event.

JC Naz pastor Mark Hatcher said it was the first time to try an event like this. “We just tried to do something out of the box. We want to bless our community, we just thought this would be a fun way to bring some blessing to a lot of people.” Hatcher wants to do this again.

A company from Ohio, Buckeye Donkey Basketball, provided the mini-donkeys for the event. JCHS teacher and JC Naz Leadership Board member Tyrick Artley said the church members thought it would be fun to look at animals out on the court. “When people fall off donkeys and tumble over it’s just a really fun and a really good time.” Shots at the basket could only be taken when the shooter sat on their donkey, and players could only go get the loose basketballs if they pulled their donkey with them. Obviously the donkeys were not always cooperative, leading to some funny moments.

The law enforcement team defeated the community team in the semifinals and then got an overtime basket from JCPD Officer Nick Blake to win the championship game 4-2 over the JC Naz Squad.

High

49°

Breezy. Much cooler. Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 40s. West winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 40 mph.

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged sex crime.

Just after 12:30a.m. Wednesday, police filed a report for sexual battery in Manhattan involving a 29-year-old female victim, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Police listed an 81-year-old man known to her as the suspect.

Due to the nature of the crime reported, police released no additional details.