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Category: Local

Arrest in Christmas Day shooting

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Police are reporting an arrest in connection with a Christmas Day shooting that claimed the life of a 31-year old Junction City woman.

The JCPD has issued a statement saying that Wednesday at 2:14 p.m. Mashaun Jay Baker, 33, Junction City, was arrested on suspicion of Capitol Murder in reference to the death of 31-year-old Jenna Schafer. Baker was transported to the Geary County Detention Center where he was held without bond pending a first appearance in Geary County District Court.

This is the second arrest reported in the case. On Christmas night the JCPD reported that Dion Green, 33, Junction City, had been arrested on suspicion of First Degree Murder in connection with the shooting. At that time police said at about 9:30 a.m. Christmas Day officers were sent to 948 Grant Avenue number 154 for a deceased female. Upon arrival officers found Schafer deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

Herington report two in custody following investigation into counterfeit money

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The Herington Police Department began an investigation Wednesday involving counterfeit U.S. currency at 1207 North C Street in Herington. The residence was seized, and a search warrant was applied for and granted.

Police Chief Brian Hornaday said during the seizure of the residence, Nathan David Nuss, 41, Herington was arrested on suspicion of Felony Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer. When the search warrant was executed methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and counterfeit U.S. currency were located. Hornaday said as a result of the investigation Nuss was also arrested on suspicion of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Criminal Use of Weapons. He was transported to the Dickinson County jail where he was held without bond pending a first appearance in District Court.

The Herington Police Department also conducted a search for Ashley Brook Loomis, 30, Herington, in connection with the case. Hornaday reported that at 12:30 a.m. Thursday she was located in Herington and taken into custody.

Pat Landes to continue as mayor

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The Junction City Commission has voted 5-0 for Pat Landes to serve a consecutive one-year term as mayor.

Landes told JC Post he wants to see more business in Junction City. I want us to get more property developed and jobs here in this community. Jobs drive everything from business sales to homes to moving these Land Bank lots.”

This will be the fourth time Landes has served as mayor since he was first elected to the city commission in 2011. “I want to see us move forward with the roads around the high school, get things squared away over there so they have a good safe area to have the school and see if we can connect some of those streets to the existing Sutter Woods and Sutter Highlands.”

Jeff Underhill has been elected vice mayor. During that process commissioner Tim Brown nominated Phyllis Fitzgerald to serve as vice mayor but Fitzgerald nominated  Underhill for the position. The commission then voted to elect Underhill.

The commissioners serve on a variety of different public boards and committees, but there will be no changes for 2019. For example Underhill will continue serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

New traffic roundabout planned in Junction City

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There will be a new traffic roundabout built near the intersection of McFarland Road and Eisenhower Drive in 2019.

Junction City Public Works Director Ray Ibarra explained it will help deal with the traffic load coming through the intersection, and making turns at 5th Street.  The roundabout will be located just south of the McFarland Road – Eisenhower Drive intersection. Ibarra stated, “The roundabout will take care of McFarland and it will also take care of the traffic coming out Lincoln Elementary School, and that way we’ll have a good traffic flow out of there.”

Ibarra added a crosswalk at the intersection at 5th and Eisenhower will be eliminated. “We will make the sidewalk go all the way to the roundabout and then cross the roundabout and back out to the east by Lincoln School. That way it will make it much safer for the kids.”

Ibarra expects the City to go out for bids on the project near the end of January or early February.

Geary County Rural Fire Department to receive funding through state program

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The Geary County Rural Fire Department will receive $5,523 through the Kansas Firefighter Recruitment and Safety Grant Program.

The department is one of 70 Kansas volunteer or part-time fire departments to be awarded funds.

Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges noted the funds will be used to purchase structure firefighter gear for three new firefighters. The gear will include coats, helmets and boots.

New assistant Manhattan city manager named

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Manhattan City Manager Ron Fehr has announced that Dennis Marstall has  been named Assistant City Manhattan. Marstall, a 1987 Manhattan High School graduate, was selected from a group of four finalists. He plans to begin work January 25th.

Marstall will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day management of City operations including supervision of staff and administrative policy development, working with the city manager and deputy city manager on various projects and redevelopment activities, serving as the city manager’s designated representative to the Riley County Law Board, staff liaison to the City-University Special Projects Fund Committee and coordinating state legislative activities.

Marstall holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Kansas State University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Louisville. His professional experience includes 14 years with the City of Charlotte, north Carolina, most of which was focused on assisting the mayor and city manager’s offices.

Most recently Marstall worked in the non-profit sector. For the last five years, he has served as Vice President of Community Investment and Impact for the United Way of the Central Carolinas.

United Way continues to raise funds for annual campaign

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By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

The Junction City/Geary County United Way has a fundraising goal of $140,000 for its annual campaign. According to Executive Director Nicole Mahder, the current total raised is $68,000.

Mahder said the last day United Way can accept pledges toward the campaign is June 14.

“Anyone can come in. They can either make it a one-time donation right there on the spot or they can make a pledge,” she said. “If they want to pay it out month-by-month and pay it off December 31st, 2019.”

There are a number of fundraising efforts by United Way during the course of a year. The next one will be a restaurant day on Jan. 15 at Ike’s Place Grill & Bar, 416 Goldenbelt Blvd. A portion of proceeds from food sales will go to support the United Way campaign.

State representative wants to pursue recruitment of third brigade

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By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

State Representative Lonnie Clark, Junction City, wants to see a third brigade of soldiers brought to Fort Riley in the future.

Clark will chair the Veterans Military Committee in the Kansas House in the 2019 legislative session.

“I want to see us get more involved with Fort Riley, Junction City and Manhattan and see if we can’t get that third brigade. That would be the thing that would be most prevalent on my mind, anyway. We need that, we’re good partners with Fort Riley, they’re good partners with us,” he said. “I see it expanding and just trying to get more involvement from both communities in bringing this all together.”

Clark believes he has the support of the remainder of the committee.

“I’m happy to be the chair of that committee. I wanted it last term and really pushed hard for it this term. So I’m excited about it,” he said.

Clark aired on his comments during the JC Now program on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK Wednesday morning. He represents the 65th District in the Kansas House.

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