MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a bank robbery.
Security camera images courtesy RCPD
Just before 4p.m. Tuesday, the Riley County Police Department Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a robbery in the 2000 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd at United Bank and Trust in Manhattan, according to a media release from RCPD.
Suspects were described as two black males, approximately 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-6 inches tall and slender build. Both suspects entered the bank.
Suspect one, who was dressed in all black, remained near the entrance of the bank. Suspect two approached a teller and presented a demand note. He was described as wearing a black coat, with a black hoodie underneath and black pants.
No weapon was shown or threatened. No one was injured. The suspects fled the bank on foot eastbound with an undisclosed amount of currency.
We will report additional details as they become available.
JUNCTION CITY, KAN. – Due to the winter weather forecast, which will bring extremely cold temperatures to our area, impacting students who walk, ride, or wait for buses. Geary County Schools USD 475 will be closed tomorrow, January 30, 2019. This cancellation also includes activities and programs within the district (unless otherwise stated) and the workday for staff. Staff with additional questions should contact their supervisor.
The decision regarding cancellation is made by the Superintendent of Schools and/or her designees. The Superintendent uses community partners, Fort Riley, the National Weather Service, and the best information available at the time to make these decisions. The main focus of USD 475 is using available information to make a decision that best suits the safety of students and staff.
With a large population of students who walk to school or wait for early morning buses, USD 475 is concerned that the extreme cold could become dangerous to students outside for an extended amount of time.
When school is in session during inclement weather, the final decision whether or not a child should attend school or stay at home is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Geary County Schools apologizes for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause and will make any updates necessary in the event new information is available.
A USD 475 nominee for Kansas Teacher of the Year, Jennifer Brown spoke to a Joint Committee on Education in the Kansas Legislature Tuesday afternoon.
Brown was the secondary classroom teacher of the year nominee from USD 475 and became one of eight finalists for the 2019 Kansas Teacher of the Year. The finalists agreed to work together to advocate for education and teaching.
Brown teaches at Sheridan Elementary School in Junction City.
( Photo provided by State Representative Dave Baker )
The process to begin the earthwork for the new Junction City High School is picking up speed. City, County and USD 475 leaders were informed this week that the work could possibly begin in early March.
The due date for the return of the proposals requested for the project from contractors is this Friday. If the Board of Education gives approval in mid-February, a contract could be awarded, equipment could begin to arrive on site by Feb. 25 with groundbreaking in early March. Also, a maintenance agreement has to be completed between the school district and the county for Munson Road before the work can commence. That road would be a haul road for big trucks.
The local leaders learned the goal is to build the super structure of the school and then the outside ballfields, with the school opening for use by students in August 2021.
County Commissioner Keith Ascher was among those briefed.
“I was a little more impressed today because we finally got some timeline, something concrete or at least the timeline they’re shooting for,” he said. “So, from that standpoint, it was well worthwhile.”
The package value on just the earthwork for the project has been estimated at $3 million.
Dangerously cold weather is forecast for the Junction City-Geary County-Fort Riley and surrounding region with lows in the 2 above zero range and wind chill readings as cold as 15 below. In some situations portable generator power may be called into service. The American Red Cross offers these generator operation safety tips:
The primary hazards to avoid when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Follow the directions supplied with the generator.
To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.
Local laws may restrict the amount of fuel you may store, or the storage location. Ask your local fire department.
Store the fuel outside of living areas in a locked shed or other protected area. To guard against accidental fire, do not store it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads.
Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. Known as “backfeeding,” this practice puts utility workers, your neighbors and your household at risk of electrocution.
Remember, even a properly connected portable generator can become overloaded, resulting in overheating or generator failure. Be sure to read the instructions.
If necessary, stagger the operating times for various equipment to prevent overloads.
10-26-1988 President Reagan working in Oval OfficePresident Barack Obama works at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, Oct. 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
MANHATTAN — A national traveling exhibition featuring the work of a Kansas State University alumnus who served as the official White House photographer to two presidents will make its first stop at the university’s Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art and include a talk by the iconic photographer.
“Pete Souza: Two Presidents, One Photographer” will be on display Feb. 5-April 27 in the museum’s Helm Gallery. The exhibition showcases 56 Souza photographs of two presidents at the opposite end of the political spectrum: Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Souza originally pursued his master’s degree in journalism at Kansas State University in the 1970s and completed the degree in 2006.
“This exhibition includes Pete Souza’s favorite images of Presidents Reagan and Obama, providing us with candid moments that are windows into their humanity,” said Hava Gurevich with art2art Circulating Exhibitions, the exhibition organizer, of Ann Arbor, Michigan. “What we see in Souza’s photographs are two presidents who clearly respected the office they held and genuinely respected the people they interacted with, no matter the circumstances.”
“Souza indicated to us that he wanted the exhibition to travel around the country in advance of the 2020 presidential election,” said Liz Seaton, Beach Museum of Art curator. “He hopes to encourage civic conversation about the role of the presidency.”
Currently a freelance photographer in Washington, D.C., Souza is the author of the book “Obama: An Intimate Portrait,” which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. He also is a professor emeritus of visual communication at Ohio University. Earlier in his career, Souza worked for the Chanute Tribune and Hutchinson News in Kansas and the Chicago Tribune.
In conjunction with the exhibition, Souza will give an on-campus talk about his work at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in McCain Auditorium. Tickets are free and required to attend. Tickets can be obtained at the McCain box office beginning Feb. 19, or reserved by calling 785-532-6428 and picked up at will call the night of the performance. Box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 90 minutes before the Souza talk.
Souza’s Kansas State University visit and talk are being made possible by the Friends of the Beach Museum of Art board and its Souza Fundraising Committee, which received support from community members, local businesses and campus entities. A list of all sponsors for the exhibition and talk is available at beach.k-state.edu. Committee members include co-chairs Anne de Noble and Barbara Gatewood, with Michaeline Chance-Reay, Carole Chelz, Anthony Crawford, Michael Donnelly, Gloria Freeland, Rebecca Hackemann-Bahlmann, Jay Nelson and Susan Noblett.
The Beach Museum of Art, at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue, is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and free parking is available adjacent to the museum.
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The National Weather Service is predicting low wind chill readings of 5 to 15 degrees below zero overnight Tuesday and early Wednesday morning.
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said you need to limit your exposure outside. “if you don’t need to be outside don’t go out. If you do layer up several coats, clothing, put extra socks on, try to cover your face with some sort of material so that the cold doesn’t affect you.”
Berges noted with the temperatures predicted skin could receive some frostbite with less than one-half hour of exposure.
Fire resulted in an estimated $50,000 damage to the 2612 Lakeview Terrace home of Russell and Lavena Blodgett in Milford Township Monday. There were no injuries.
Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges reported that when firefighters arrived on the scene there was smoke coming out of the attic area, from underneath the eaves and on the east side of the house where the fireplace was located. The Fort Riley Fire Department was also asked to assist in battling the blaze and they responded with two fire trucks while Geary County responded with four fire trucks and approximately 20 personnel.
Berges stated, “After about a half hour we were able to get the fire contained just to the attic area on the east side of the residence. It looks like the fire was caused by some sort of heat buildup in the flue area of the fireplace which extended into the attic area.”
Firefighters worked at the scene for about one and a half hours Monday afternoon. They received the emergency call about 3:20 p.m. The location of the blaze was about six miles northwest of Junction City. The damage estimate from the fire was provided by Berges.
( L-R ) Second, third and fourth in line were Tim Himelick, Cayla DaGiao and Clayton Swanson.
The Geary County Commission meeting on Monday provided the backdrop for the recognition of three people who saved the life of Cole Gritton, 20, Manhattan.
Just a few weeks ago while in Milford, Gritton suffered what officials indicated was a heart attack. A 9-1-1 call alerted emergency personnel to the residence where Gritton had been visiting. Milford firefighter Tim Himelick was the first on the scene.
“I ran inside, found the guy laying on the kitchen floor and he had all kinds of fluid coming out of mouth, and he was totally blue. I started CPR on him seemed like forever.
Milford State Park ranger Clayton Swanson and Deputy Cayla DaGiao arrived to apply chest compressions and life saving efforts.
“DaGiao noted it was what she signed up to do in law enforcement. “And I’m just glad that he ‘s still around with his family and stuff.” She noted the take-away from the incident is that the three agencies were able to mesh together to do what they’re supposed to do. “And honestly what the right thing was to save that young man’s life.”
Swanson said he remained calm in this emergency by taking a breath. “That’s what they tell us to do at the Academy in a stressful situation, stand up and take a breath, refocus on what you’re there to do and stop the dying.”
Himelick, DaGiao and Swanson were presented with certificates of commendation from the Sheriff’s Department and applauded for their efforts at the commission meeting.
