Phase One playground improvements for the Fifth Street Park in Junction City have been completed. Now organizers can turn their attention to fundraising for Phase Two of the project.
Quality Play for All Committee spokesman Kendall Schoenrock noted that Phase Two includes a basketball court and covered pavilion. ” Our initial goal is about $100,000 to $125,000 for that. Our goal is to potentially bring in some funding. We’re exploring Blue Cross Blue Shield, of course additional local donors, we’re going to tap that. And we’re going to be doing some other fun events to try raise awareness and see if we can help achieve these goals.”
Calen Boller, Humboldt Creek 4-H Club, was selected to receive the $2,000 Ralph E. Dietrich College Scholarship, the $800 paul B. and Clara B. Gwin 4-H Scholarship, and a $1,000 Ray and Nellie Smith 4-H Scholarship. Boller is the son of John and Phyllis Boller.
Mason Muto, Humboldt 4-H Club, was selected to receive a $1,000 Ray and Nellie Smith 4-H Scholarship. Muto is the son of Mark and Resia Muto.
On October 7, 2018 a small, emaciated frail German shepherd dog was brought to the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter. A very deep wound around her muzzle left shelter staff presuming she had been bound in some way, perhaps with rope, wire, strong or a rubber band – no one could be quite sure but whatever it was left a lasting scar and constant reminder of the life she left behind, perhaps even escaped from.
Shelter staff named her Nova: “,,,a transient astronomical event that causes the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently “new star…” It is appropriate.
On March 19, less than 6 months after being abandoned, Nova and her scarred nose were certified in narcotics detection and tracking through the Heart of America Police Dog Association with Geary County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Justin Stopper, her handler. It’s a journey that took her less than four months to achieve It also happened to be Stopper’s birthday.
Prior to coming across, Lt. Stopper, Detective Bradley Rose and K-9 Handler Sgt. Chris Ricard, all of the Sheriff’s Department, discussed the idea of getting a second dog for drug detection and getting that dog from the shelter.
“We thought we could prove a tool for the county that somebody discarded and it was at no cost to the taxpayers,” Stopper said. Even her adoption fee to cover veterinary care was paid by an anonymous donation.
It just so happened they went to the local shelter just shortly after Nova was brought in.
“We didn’t even have her on the adoption floor,” Vanessa Gray, director of the local shelter said, “We were just trying to get her weight up.”
On average, a female German shepherd dog should weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. Nova arrived weighing less than 27 pounds and was estimated to be approximately a year old.
“It’s kind of hard to eat when you have your mouth tied shut,” Ricard said with disgust.
After shelter staff got Nova veterinary care, Stopped began the process of getting familiar with his new partner.
“I just went and got her from the kennel and had her ride around with me to see how she was,” Stopper said, taking her back to the shelter after each outing.
“For what happened to her I’m surprised. She’s never really been timid, ” he added.
Just before Thanksgiving the commitment was made and Nova left the shelter for the last time but only if she passed certification.
“We went through a process of evaluating her hunt drive for about a week, throwing a toy, scented bags; having her find them, Stopper said.
“Then we started working on indication,” Ricard said, where she would give a trained response when she found the odor she’s trained to detect.
For Nova, her indication is passive, whereby she will just sit upon detecting narcotics as opposed to scratching or barking.
“I think most of it was training me. She’s going to do what she does. I had to learn how to read her andwatch her,” Stopper said.
Along with the scent detection, Nova certified in tracking which would allow her to be used for situations such as a lost child. The Sheriff’s Department other K-9, Scooby, handled by Ricard is certified in narcotics and apprehension.
“There’s more circumstances where you could utilize her ( Nova ) in tracking than, let’s say a patrol dog,” Stopper said. “I don’t have any fear of her biting someone at the end of a track.”
Stopper admits he was really nervous when certification day came around; not so much about how Nova would do but if he would work well with his new partner that day.
“It was very rewarding for me personally,” Stopper said of the whole experience.
While Nova’s dark pas will never be know, one thing seems certain; this Nova’s future seems bright.
As for Gray and the staff as the shelter, they are over the moon about her success.
It happens more than most people even imagine; pets being abandoned. Whether it’s getting left at the Junction City – Geary County Animal Shelter, dumped along the side of a road or simply left behind at what was once their home, it’s becoming a near-crisis issue locally. If you see someone abusing or dumping a pet – do something, call authorities.
Nova
Nova
Lt. Justin Stopper and Nova
( Photo L-R ) Nova stands between Lt. Justin Stopper of the Geary County Sheriff’s Department and Junction City – Geary County Animal SHelter Director Vanessa Gray in front of the shelter.
This photo was taken upon Nova’s arrival at the Animal Shelter. A plea was put out asking for information about Nova’s previous owners and / or cause of her condition. To date, no information has been presented according to Shelter Director Vanessa Gray.
( Photo L-R ) Rose Stopper, Ricard – Team Nova. All 3 members of the Geary County sheriff’s Department Criminal Interdiction team played a role in getting Nova to reach certification in narcotics detection and tracking.
The Geary USD 475 Art Show was a highlight Friday and Saturday at the C.L. Hoover Opera House.
Students from the district displayed their work. Some of the art was sold with some of the funds helping support a scholarship for a graduating senior who plans to major in art in the future.
Organizers confirmed there was a strong turnout to view the art which was prepared by approximately 130 students. The show is an annual event.
Justin Cook and Gary Ryan took home top team honors at the King Kat Tournament Trail event at Milford Lake Saturday with a total catch of 98.64 pounds. Cook, from New Franklin, Missouri and Ryan from Columbia, Missouri combined to win a total of $4,200 for their first place finish. They also had the second biggest catfish caught in the tournament at 53.42 pounds.
The winning team of Justin Cook and Gary Ryan. Among the fish they turned in were two big fish including the second biggest in the tournament.
.There were 45 two-man teams who braced the winter weather including snow, rain and a cold win to fish in the tournament. With their first place finish Cook and Ryan have qualified for the national championship event November 1st and 2nd in Decatur, Alabama.
The biggest fish was hauled in by Blake McPherren of Wakefield and Jamie Jackson of Clay Center, at 55.56 pounds.
Blake McPherren and Jamie Jackson caught the biggest fish in the tournament.
Cabela’s will host another King Kat Tournament Trail regional qualifier at Milford Lake on March 28th, 2020 and they will bring their national championship event to the lake October 30th and 31st, 2020.
Phase one of the new improvements at the 5th Street Park in Junction City are complete.
A large group of community members, representatives from the R2B4 Bramlage Family Foundation and City staff were in attendance on cold and damp Saturday morning for the official groundbreaking. Then it was time for the kids to play on the playground equipment that is located on a base that included new artificial turf in the park.
A community development block grant and donations helped finance the project.
There will be five phases to the project, with future improvements ranging from a new basketball court to a stage.
Peggy and Ben Bennett of Junction City released a statement about the new playground improvements Saturday.
“WIth smiles, bright eyes, giggles, hearts racing and bundled up energy, young and more mature Munchkins enjoyed the many wonderful and funderful pieces of brightly colored equipment that is now ready for hours and hours of play and enjoyment.
Who cares if it snowed earlier in the day and the sun was hiding under the clouds? It was a great day for all in attendance for Phase One of the newly renovated Fifth Street Park….Quality Play for All.
If you were unable to be there on Saturday morning for the ribbon cutting, come out and enjoy ANY time. It’s there for OUR COMMUNITY to USE, ENJOY and BE PROUD OF!!!
The City of Junction City has partnered with Service Line Warranties of America to offer protection for homeowners for the WSL / SSL protection program. The coverage is voluntary and available at affordable monthly or annual prices. Founded in 2003, SLWA has partnered with more than 400 leading cities and municipalities in the US to provide repair service plans that offer peace of mind and convenience.
“Many homeowners do not know that damage to the service lines on their property is their responsibility to repair,” said Allen Dinkel. City Manager. “In the event of a service line emergency, the homeowner is responsible for scheduling the repair and covering the associated cost. As the homes in the city age along with the infrastructure serving them, SLWA repair plans provide homeowners with an optional peace of mind solution so they can be better prepared in the event of these unexpected repairs.
The SLWA Service Line Warranty Program protects against damage to pipes on homeowners’ property. Repairs to these pipes are not covered by basic homeowners insurance or by the City of Junction City, KS> If a customer’s line is in need of repair, a simple call to the SLWA 24-hour hotline will dispatch a local, licensed contractor familiar with local code. There are no service fees or deductibles. Many factors contribute to the life expectancy of a service line including the age, type of piping material, soil conditions and installation quality – all factors which are covered through the SLWA protection program. This program is voluntary for residents and provided at no cost to the City of Junction City, KS and no public funds are used to promote or administer the program.
“Our service plans not only cover the cost of the repair; they also provide homeowners with reputable, local contractors who will do the best possible job,” said John Kitzie, CEO of SLWA parent HomeServe USA. ” We’re thrilled to be partnering with the City and look forward to the opportunity to provide Junction City homeowners with the assistance they need when faced with a home repair emergency.”
SLWA has been endorsed by the National League of Cities. For questions about this service contact SLWA at 1-844-257-8795 or visit www.slwofa.com.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued a statement that said they arrested Anthony J. “Tony” Wolf, the Geary County Sheriff on Friday on two additional counts of felony theft.
According to a news release, on Friday just after 2 p.m. at the Geary County Sheriff’s office, in Junction City, Wolf was arrested. The charges allege Wolf used county funds to purchase items that were then sold for personal profit, or maintained for personal use. On Friday morning he had appeared at a pre-trial conference regarding charges on which he had previously been arrested on October 18th, 2018. Those charges included felony theft for allegedly giving a county-owned firearm as a gift to a third party and for the misdemeanor allegation of misuse of public funds, which asserted Wolf used public dollars in a manner not authorized by law. His trial on those charges has been scheduled for May 8th and 9th.
Wolf placed himself on administrative leave following his earlier arrest last October.
Wolf was booked into the Geary County Jail following his arrest on the additional theft counts Friday. Dickinson County Attorney Andrea Purvis has been appointed as a special prosecutor in the case.
Geary USD 475 is sponsoring a Community-Wide Multicultural Fair in Heritage Park, Saturday, April 27th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Participants can set up in booths to display art, artifacts, food, games, flags, dancing and singing from various cultures. To participate contact Susan Pender at ( 785 ) 717-4045 or susanpender@usd475.org.
Phase One playground improvements for the Fifth Street Park in Junction City have been completed. Now organizers can turn their attention to fundraising for Phase Two of the project.
