GEARY COUNTY — The unemployment rate in September dropped to 4.9 percent in Geary County — down from 5.3 percent in August, according to Kansas Department of Labor statistics.

The majority of the region posted jobless rates under 3 percent including Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, Morris and Jackson County.

Dickinson County is at 3.6 percent, down from 4 percent in August. Clay County actually saw a jump from 3.2 – 3.6 percent.

Statewide, preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.3 percent in September. This was unchanged from August and down from 3.6 percent in September 2017.

“For the fifth consecutive month, the number of unemployed Kansans remains below 50,000,” said Secretary Lana Gordon. “This is the smallest number of unemployed workers in the state since January 2000.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs decreased by 6,900 from August. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, decreased by 3,800 from the previous month.

“Employers reported fewer jobs in September compared to August. The losses were spread across government and private businesses,” said Senior Labor Economist, Tyler Tenbrink. “However, employers did increase the number of weekly hours for existing employees. Hourly earnings for workers went up as well.

This resulted in robust growth in weekly earnings, 6.3 percent over the last 12 months.”
Since September 2017, Kansas gained 19,600 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 14,600 private sector jobs.

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Seven inductees entered the University of Southern Illinois Saluki Hall of Fame during a ceremony at SIU Arena over the weekend including current K-State men’s basketball coach Bruce Weber.

Weber was the architect of SIU’s basketball resurgence during the 2000s. He inherited a program that had recorded three-straight losing seasons and quickly turned them into Valley champions.

During his five seasons at SIU (1999-2003), Weber’s teams compiled a 103-54 record, advanced to two NCAA Tournaments (2002, 2003), including a Sweet 16 appearance, plus an NIT appearance (2000). Southern won the MVC title in both 2002 and 2003 and Weber was named MVC Coach of the Year in 2003.

“I am very blessed and fortunate to have been a part of this program,” Weber said. “We had one of the best mid-major runs in the history of college basketball, to be honest. The run that we had was special and I am proud to have been part of it.”

The Salukis beat five BCS opponents during Weber’s stay and climbed as high as No. 22 in the national rankings. The program he built was sustained by his successors, Matt Painter and Chris Lowery, who led Southern to four more NCAA Tournament appearances. After SIU, Weber coached nine seasons at Illinois and made six NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the Championship game in 2005. He is currently the head coach at Kansas State where the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight last season.

The ribbon cutting for the Operation Santa Claus effort will be Monday, November 5th at 3 p.m. at 1828 First Street, Fort Riley.

Operation Santa Claus works to gather toys and gifts for needy children at Christmas time.

Last week the Military Affairs Council of the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce agreed to donate $500 to Operation Santa Claus.

There will be a gathering of current and former employees, contractors, and friends of United Telephone / Sprint / Embarq and / or Century Link at Coach’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar at 720 Caroline Avenue in Junction City on Saturday, November 3rd from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This will be the eighth annual telephone company reunion.

For more information contact Ruth Sanders at 785-375-3420.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has announced via social media that law enforcement is attempting to locate Ryan Lee Squires, 29, for questioning in reference to the alleged theft of two motor vehicles. They reported that he is also wanted for an alleged parole violation.

The description from the Sheriff’s Department said Squires is a white man, 29, 5’11, 180 pounds with red hair and goatee. He was last seen in the area south of Grandview Plaza. Squires was wearing a white t-shirt, red pants and has full sleeve tattoos on both arms. He is possibly armed so do not approach him, but contact law enforcement immediately.

The 24/7 Travel Stores across Kansas are helping to fight hunger in their communities.

Food Bank Fill-Up is a 10-day event in which five cents for every gallon of gas sold at 24/7 Travel Stores is donated to local food banks. The event is scheduled for Monday through October 31.

Hunger is so often an invisible tragedy in communities. The 24/7 Travel Stores’ idea is that by partnering with their customers and local food banks, they can help to improve their communities.

Food banks that will benefit from the Food Bank Fill-up program include the following.

• Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank
• Genesis Food Bank of Sherman County in Goodland
• Genesis Food Bank of Thomas County in Colby
• Trego County Food Pantry in WaKeeney
• St. Joseph Food Bank in Hays
• Russell County Food Bank in Russell
• McPherson County Food Bank in McPherson
• Abilene Area Food & Clothing Bank in Abilene
• Community Health Ministry in Maple Hill

Junction City Middle School College Night activities continue Monday and Wednesday this week. The hours will be 3:30 until 7:30 p.m. According to USD 475 there will be information about various Kansas colleges and post-secondary opportunities.

On Monday, Highland County Community College, Washburn university and Bellus Academy will be represented. On Wednesday there will be representatives from Emporia State University, Seward County Community College, Kansas State University, Tabor College and the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.