American Legion Riders Post 39 will host the 20th annual Abilene Motorcycle Toy Run on Veterans’ Day, Sunday, November 11th. Riders will depart from the Shopko parking lot at 2 p.m. escorted by the Abilene Police and Fire Departments. The parade will be led by Santa Claus and a display of American flags.

Following the ride there will be a complimentary chili feed, hosted by members of the former Eagles ladies’ Auxiliary at Sterl Hall in Eisenhower Park. Two mini-bikes donated by Ackerman Welding and Junction City Walmart will be raffled off at the chili feed.

Riders are encouraged to bring new toys for distribution to needy children. This annual benefit ride typically draws more than 200 riders to Abilene each year. All toys and cash contributions are donated to Abilene Toys 4 Tots.

The parade of bikes will travel east on 21st Street to Brady, south to 4th Street, west to Buckeye, north to 14th, west to Rogers, south to 7th Street, west to Rogers, south to 3rd, east to Cedar, north to 14th, west to Rogers, south to 7th and west to Sterl Hall.

The 2018 Motorcycle Toy Run is being sponsored by Abilene Shopko, Ackerman Welding, West’s Country Mart, Abilene Post 39 Legion Riders, Junction City Walmart and members of the former Eagles Ladies Auxiliary.

Geary County Treasurer Kathy Tremont has announced that the 2018 property tax statements will go out approximately this Friday ( Nov. 9 ). Taxpayers that have their mortgage company escrow their tax will be sent a copy of the bill for informational purposes.

The first half taxes are due Dec. 20th. If you are mailing your payment it should be postmarked no later than the 20th. Anyone wanting to receive a receipt will need to indicate that by marking the appropriate box on the payment stub.

If you receive your bill and have questions regarding the assessment of the property contact the county appraiser’s office at 785-238-4407. The treasurer’s office is responsible for the mailing and collection of the statements but does not assess properties for valuation purposes.

Statutorily, at least half of the personal property tax is due December 20, 2018. If you fail to pay the first half, the full amount plus interest becomes due. Once you pay the first half, the second half is due to May 10th. No motor vehicle transactions can be processed for people having delinquent personal property taxes.

Participants in the neighborhood revitalization program must have their taxes paid in full before a rebate check will be issued.

If a taxpayer does not receive a tax bill call 238-6021. It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure the taxes are paid. Owners can pay online by going to the Kansas County Treasurer’s website at https://www.kansastreasurers.org/ or they can use the drop slot at the entrance of the south door to the County Office Building at 200 East 8th Street.

Taxpayers can pay their taxes using check, cash, money order or credit and debit cards. Taxpayers will also be given the opportunity to make monthly payments.  Contact the office and ask for the payment program.

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Vehicle owners are being reminded that they have until December 31 to renew auto tags U.X,Y,Z. Large trucks ( 12,000+ ) and trailers will expire December 31st, but will be allowed a grace period until the last day of February, 2019. Large truck and trailer license plate renewals go on sale after January 1st.

The public bus transportation service, ATA Bus, has announced that all of their services will be FARE FREE on Tuesday. They are encouraging the public to take advantage of that opportunity to go to the polls and vote. They do note that not all voting locations may be served by the ATA Bus fixed route services.

High

59°

Mostly cloudy. Rain in the morning, then chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 50s. South winds 10 to 15 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon. Chance of rain 80 percent.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate made a campaign stop in Junction City at Ike’s Place Grill and Bar Sunday afternoon.

Kelly told the audience,”We’ll have high priorities. Education will be number one. medicaid expansion will be number two. We’ve go to do that, not only for the 150,000 Kansans who will experience access to healthcare for the first time but also because of what it will do to grow our economy.”

Kelly is vying with Republican Kris Kobach and Independent Greg Orman for the governor’s seat.  She noted over the last six weeks, or two months, some moderate Republicans who have held office have come out in support of her campaign. They included Governor Bill Graves, Senator Nancy Kassebaum. Governor Mike Hayden, three Senate presidents and three house majority leaders.

Kelly noted moderate Republicans and Democrats working together is the only way government works in Kansas. “We really do need to get back to that, and I believe we have real opportunity this time around to do that. or we can elect Kris Kobach. if we think Sam Brownback was bad you ain’t seen nothing. Because he ( Kobach ) will take an immediate U-Turn to the awful tax policy that so devastated our state, but it will go even further than that.”

Kelly plans to visit several cities on the campaign trail Monday with former Governors Bill Graves and Kathleen Sebelius, including Salina, Hutchinson, Newton, Wichita and Andover. The election is Tuesday.

It was a first time event in Junction City. The Chamber of Commerce hosted CLUE, a community game night, at the convention center.

Participants searched for clues to solve the who-done-it murder mystery.

Chamber Member Relations Director Amy Garner stated they had suspects, weapons, different businesses sponsoring rooms, and we had a lot of people trying to figure out who did it. It was a ton of fun, I think people really enjoyed it. ” So who committed the murder? “Professor Plumb in the kitchen with the ( Chamber’s ) ribbon cutting scissors.”

Prizes awarded included the victim package and packages for two people whose names were chosen during a drawing, Casey Butler and Jennifer Zabokrtsky.

Approximately 190 people attended the event, which served as a fundraiser for the Chamber and the Summer Picnic Program that feeds children in the community during the summer time.

Geary County employees wrapped up their week of fundraising activities for the Junction City / Geary County United Way campaign on Friday. They ranged from a bake sale and raffle baskets to a soup and chili contest.

County Treasurer Kathy Tremont stated it went well. the bake sale was probably considered the most successful event. “We had four or five, maybe six different types of pies. We had a lot of brownies, a lot of different party mixes. We sold just about everything. CInnamon rolls, cake and rice krispie treats were among the other items sold.

Raffle basket winners include Julie Loper, Mark Anderson, Patti Aska and Noel Park. Kathy Tremont won a KSU yard stake, and Linda Caraballo a KU yard stake. And Caraballo was also the winner of the top chili entry in the soup and chili competition.

Helping support with donations were Pizza Hut ( Martin Hemingway ), Waters True Value, Fro Yo, Screen Machine Sports and Coaches Neighborhood Grill and Bar.