By Dewey Terrill

JC Post

The Junction City / Geary County United Way is participating in the United Way Student program.

Students selected from local schools for the program show thoughtfulness toward their community and compassion for others, and a willingness and drive to make a difference in the lives others.

United Way Director Nicole Mahder is providing information on the individual students that are participating. In this report the focus is on Emily Varnado of Fort Riley Middle School.

Emily helps at a monthly food bank by donating food, is active in the KAY Club at school and volunteers at the JC Opera House as an usher and cleans up after performances. . She and her family donate clothing to other groups. Emily works in the concession stand at her school and is an Honor Roll student.

 

MANHATTAN —One person was injured in a fire Thursday in Manhattan.

Just before 4:30p.m., crews to the fire at a home in the 400 Block of South 16th Street, according to a media release. Upon arrival they found smoke coming from the back of the residence.

Crews extinguished the blaze in approximately five minutes. Riley County EMS transported one person  to Via Christi for possible smoke inhalation.

Damage to the residence is estimated at $5,500. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Westar Energy is inviting eligible youths to its spring turkey hunt, April 1-16, at Jeffrey Energy Center located seven miles north of St. Marys. The event is open to 12-16 year olds who have not harvested a turkey. The project is supported by Westar Energy Green Team volunteers who are veteran hunters available to assist the youths and their mentors.

Youths must be accompanied by an adult mentor, preferably one who does not have turkey hunting experience. The trips will take place in enclosed blinds around small crop fields scattered through the plant’s property, where turkeys are abundant.

A shotgun is needed but no special clothing, calls or decoys are necessary. Hunters 15 years and younger will need to purchase a youth spring turkey permit. Hunters 16 years of age will need to purchase a unit three turkey permit and have a hunting license, and a hunter’s safety certificate or an apprentice hunting license.

Hunts will occur primarily in the mornings and on weekends, but weekdays and afternoons are possible based on volunteer guide availability. Registration will be open through Friday, March 15th or until all slots are filled. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with preference for inexperienced mentors. To apply call 785-575-6355.

High

41°

Not as cold. Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. southeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reported in their current Basin / River Conditions report that Milford Reservoir is releasing 1,000 cubic feet per second and is being evacuated to the winter target level.

Tuttle Creek Reservoir is releasing 160 cfs to allow a contractor to work on the lower basin walls. It will be increased as soon as possible to evacuate to the winter target once the contractor is finished.

Next week is severe weather awareness week in Kansas. With that in mind Farm Bureau Financial Services has developed a checklist to keep your family safe this severe weather season.

The list includes:

–Your family. Make sure everyone is together.

–A phone and charger. Bring a phone in case you need to call for help, and be sure to unplug the phone before using it.

–A radio: A radio is the most reliable source of news and updates during a storm, so make sure you have extra batteries.

–A flashlight: In case the power goes out, have a flashlight so you don’t get stuck in the dark.

–Blankets: Blankets offer extra protection from falling debris.

–Your pets: Make sure you account for them.

–A game: a fun game can help pass the time and take your mind off the storm.

The fifth annual St. Xavier Catholic School Blue & Gold Market is scheduled Saturday, March 23rd.

School Principal Shawn Augustin said local crafters, artists and director sale vendors will participate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission will be $1.

Activities will include a  bouncy house, plinko, a bake sale and more. This event is open to the public but do not bring strollers for children. Lunch will be served in the school cafeteria. The event raises funds for the school.

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The Milford Lions will sponsor a soup / chili supper from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Milford City Building. The  cost is $5. Proceeds will assist in Milford elementary students and for community projects.

Charges have been dismissed against two of the three men initially accused in the case involving the late December shooting death of Jenna Schafer, 31, and her unborn baby in Junction City.

A check of the Geary County District Court records revealed that in recent weeks a charge of capital murder against Mashaun Jay Baker, 33, Junction City, has been dismissed. Also, a probable cause allegation of conspiracy to commit capital murder against Jeremiah Joseph Grubb has been dismissed.

One man. Dion Jamel Green, 33, Junction CIty, still faces two counts of capital murder. According to an earlier news release on or between December 24th and 25th Green was accused of killing Schafer with premeditation by a gunshot wound.

A status check or motion hearing is scheduled in District Court for Green on April 11th. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in his case on August 14th.