The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has become licensed to fly drones in the county.
Undersheriff Brad Clark reported that authorities have been working on the program for approximately two years. That included purchasing a practice drone and another one for search and rescue. They have worked to get into compliance in order to fly them.
Clark noted the federal and FFA regulations keep changing. “It’s been an uphill battle trying to get in compliance with everything we needed to be in compliance with in order to fly.”
Clark covered the topic on the JC Now broadcast on 107.9 FM / 1420 KJCK.
BAXTER COUNTY, AR — Law enforcement authorities in Arkansas are investigating a Kansas man on sex allegations.
O’Brien photo Baxter County
Early Saturday, following a complaint and surveillance, deputies arrested a Junction City, Kansas man after receiving a complaint that he was driving to Mountain Home, Arkansas to pick up a 16-year-old girl he had been communicating with on social media, according to Sheriff John Montgomery.
The girl had been sending sexually explicit photos and videos to him at his request, according to the sheriff.
The parents were concerned for the safety of the child. The man had arranged to meet her at a business parking lot on Highway 5 South of Mountain Home near the girl’s house.
A sheriff’s deputy set up surveillance at the location. At approximately 12:47 a.m., he observed a vehicle drive past the area twice, then pull in and park.
After parking, the man sent a text message to the girl stating he was close by. The man then walked from his car along Highway 5 South past the girl’s house, then to the meeting location.
The man went behind the building. The deputy then approached and made contact with the man, who was identified as 31 year old Andrew Mitchell O’Brien of Junction City, Kansas. After a brief exchange, deputies arrested and took him into custody.
During a search of his vehicle, deputies found handcuffs, vodka, condoms as well as two cell phones believed to have been used in commission of the crimes. All of these were seized and taken into evidence.
Deputies transported O’Brien to the Baxter County Detention Center. He is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond on requested charges of Engaging Children In Sexually Explicit Conduct for Use in Visual or Print Medium – Felony
Contributing to the Delinquency of Juvenile – Felony
He will appear in Circuit Court to answer on December 20th, according Montgomery.
Investigators also determined O’Brien is on active military duty stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. The military base was contacted regarding the incident, and the military police have also placed a detainer on him.
1st District Congressman Roger Marshall has announced his nominations for the U.S. Military Service Academies.
Among those on the list are Emmanuel Effiong of Fort Riley and Corbin Sanner of Junction City.
To be nominated applicants must meet the recommendations and standards set by each academy, complete online applications and interview with at least one member of Congress or Senate.
The 2019 kick-off party for Sundown Salute will be Saturday, january 26th at the Geary County Convention Center.
There will be cocktails 5:30 – 6 p.m., followed by dinner from 6:15 to 7:15 and a Dueling Pianos performance at 7:45 p.m. The cost to attend will be $40 per person or $300 per table of eight. This event will help raise funds for Sundown Salute, the annual Fourth of July celebration in Junction City.
To purchase tickets go https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dueling-pianos-tickets-53810303065?fbclid=IwAR1vyYMZPGgLAGR4IeePTXW4af43RKxo0XBJOvCwuu4DuqzsZPEE2G_KAzc
Monitoring health status to identify and solve community health problems is one of the ten Essential Public Health Services, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Geary County Health Department has been funded to do just that.
According to Health Department Director Tammy Von Busch, the ESSENCE multi-county regional pilot funding of $10,000 from the CDC and Kansas Department of Health and Environment will assist the Health Department in working with regional partners to monitor community health status. ESSENCE is an acronym for Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics. The software enables public health departments at the state and local level to analyze emergency department data submitted by hospitals. The system can track infectious disease and the impact of disasters.
The collaborative project will also include Pottawatomie, Riley, Clay and Dickinson counties, offering an opportunity to expand public health partnerships in the Wildcat Public Health Emergency Preparedness Region and beyond.
Geary County Health Department will facilitate the coordination with local and regional emergency departments, training for public health agencies and partners, and development and dissemination of useful ESSENCE tools to better track the health of the community. Technical assistance and evaluation for the project will be provided by Wichita State University, Center for Public Health Initiatives, Community Institute. This activity is funded by a grant from the CDC.
This past Sunday marked the anniversary of a difficult time in World War II. The German Army launched their last major offensive of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge in in December of 1944. The #BigRedOne rushed to the Ardennes front, playing a critical role in stopping the bloody advance. #DutyFirst#WWIIhttps://www.army.mil/botb/
( Photo provided courtesy of 1st Infantry Division Facebook page, Army.mil and the U.S. Army Center of Military History )
Reginald Eggleston speaking during a public forum in Junction City this month
Dr. Reginald Eggleston will be the new Superintendent of Schools in Geary USD 475.
The Geary USD 475 Board of Education voted 7-0 Monday evening to hire Eggleston. They authorized an interim contract for the new superintendent that will run from April 15th to June 30th, 2019 followed by a two-year contract extending from July 1st, 2019 to June 30th, 2021. He will be paid an annual salary of $185,000 plus fringe benefits.
Board of Education President Tom Brungardt noted that Eggleston was chosen from among 41 applicants for the job. “We think Dr. Eggleston will lead us in the direction we want to go. ” Brungardt stated the Board wants Eggleston to provide leadership. ” We want him to make some significant improvements in our graduation rates, make sure that we are fiscally sound, we want him to help build this new high school that we’re working on.”
Brungardt stated Eggleston was appointed on an interim basis for the Montgomery County school district by the State of Alabama. He worked there for some time and then returned to the Alabama State Department of Education. On the interest in USD 475 the BOE president noted Eggleston was interested in the superintendency, liked the size of the community, liked the military aspect and he is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve which appealed to him.
Board member Rina Neal said Eggleston comes with a lot of experience in pre-intervention strategies, and working with the State Department of Education in Alabama. “Working with larger districts such as the Mobile and Montgomery public school systems, has similar demographics and the leadership skills that he brings forth I think will be beneficial to our district.” Neal said Eggleston provided good information on strategies and tools to improve the district, has leadership background from the military and above par professional development skills and good communication practice.
During a public forum in Junction City December 4th Eggleston stated he needed to be visible and in the schools. He referred to his last position in Mobile, Alabama where he was an area superintendent noting he supervised 29 schools and evaluated all 29 principals. “I was in all of my schools at least once a month. And the reason why I was in there is becauses when people say things about the school the only way I’m going to know it’s true or not is that I’ve been in the school.”
Eggleston wants to put a focus on all students, and bring collaboration to the process. “Will allow all of the members of the community to be involved. I think we have to be concerned with the military community because based on what I’ve read 60% of four students have some association to the military. But we also want to make sure that the 40% of students who live here in Junction City and the surrounding area feel that they are a part of the district and that they have a voice as well.”
Central National Bank has announced that Lindsey Snider will be the President of its Junction City Market. Snider will succeed Robert Munson, who started with the bank in 1973 and had served as Market President since 1987. Munson retired last Friday.
“I am honored and humbled to be chosen for this position,” said Snider. “Robert has set a positive example for not only me but all the employees of the bank for many years and I am grateful for his integrity and leadership.”
An employee of the bank since 2003, Snider began her banking career as a seasonal bank teller in 2002, when still in high school. She attended Kansas State University and came to Central National Bank after graduating with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 2008.
“Robert’s been a mentor to me for as long as I can remember, and I look forward to serving our customers with the same dedication and a selfless attitude that he’s demonstrated in the last 45 years,” said Snider. “It is a privilege to work for an organization that is committed to serving their community and I plan to continue to build lasting relationships and provide personalized customer service.”
Snider is a current student at the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin and expects to be able to graduate from the program in 2019. She has an extensive background in banking from the retail side of banking, extending into the agricultural and commercial lending sectors.
Most recently, Snider has led internal fundraising efforts, which has benefited the Junction City / Geary County United Way, for the last five years. In early December they announced an all-time record fundraising total of just over $29,000, which directly benefits around a dozen local organizations and community service organizations.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has become licensed to fly drones in the county.
