Fire Chief Terry Johnson reported that Junction City firefighters responded to the Walmart Supercenter at 531 East Chestnut Street just before seven o’clock Wednesday morning. Firefighters had received a telephone call from the store manager informing them that the sprinkler system had failed, and asked if the Fire Department could assist in getting the water shut off.

Upon arrival by the Fire Department store employees were using brooms and squeegees trying to push water out the back of the store. Upon investigation the water spray was below the shut off of the riser. Management had shut off the control values on the back wall of the store, and fire crews closed the water meter.

Johnson confirmed there was water damage on a floor in the back area. “They have a room where they keep the risers and everything for the sprinkler system and a piece of equipment. They went to turn around in there and it hit a valve on the sprinkler system which basically put maybe a half inch of water across the floor in the back area where they have the break rooms and some offices.” Johnson indicated he did not know of any water getting out into the main store area.

The Public Works Department helped in shutting down the water to the building. Fire crews were able to shut down one side of the loop in the southwest corner that feeds Walmart. Public Works personnel arrived and located the second shut off on the northwest side and shut off the water.

Crews then opened a hydrant at the rear of the store to aid in draining the system and water flow into the store was stopped.

Management was advised to be on fire watch while their system is off-line and to contact the Fire Department when the system is fixed, and ready for the water to be turned on.

Cody Brown had the grand champion market steer and Weston Langvardt the reserve grand champion at the 4-H Bucket Calf and Beef Show Tuesday evening in Geary County.

Brown, a member of the Clarks Creek 4-H Club, liked his steer. “We’ve been working on him all summer, feeding him a lot. I think he’s a real good looking steer.”

The judge complimented the five finalists on the quality of their steers. One of those belonged to Weston Langvardt of the Blueline 4-h Club. A lot of work goes into preparing the steers. “Takes about half a year to get the steer in showing shape, feed them heavily and work with them. We did pretty good, though.”

The Geary County Free Fair continues Wednesday. One of the highlights will be the 4-H Swine Show at 7 p.m.

Eight members of the Junction City area club Track and Field are competing on the highest stage in summer track and field over the next two weeks.

Forika and Fawn McDougald, who have trained youth in the area for more than 10 years, founded the team and serve as coaches for the athletes who have qualified for either USATF Junior Olympic Nationals in North Carolina this week, or for AAU Nationals next week in Iowa. They include Madison Smith, Chapman High School, 800 meters and 1500 meters, Keiana Newman, Junction City High School, 100 meter hurdles and 400 meter hurdles, Aaron Modrow, Chapman High School, 4 – 800 relay, 3000 meters and 1500 meters, Jaden Dawson, Bennington, 4 x 800 meter relay, Christian Radabaugh, Abilene, 4 x 800 meter relay, Juan Tovar, Junction City High School, 4 x 800 meter relay, 800 meter run, Clyde King Jr. Manhattan, 200 meters and 400 meters, and Dain Yale Jr., Junction City High School in the 3000 meters.

Several of the athletes are expected to have a good shot at becoming All-Americans, which means placing in the top eight of their event. Forika McDougald said this is all about a cap to their season for the athletes, and ending it on a good note. “Right now the 4 x 800 is looking pretty good and Keiana Newman is just outside the top eight. Madison is ninth right now going into the USATF meet.”

Keiana competes in the hurdles at the high school level, but the 400 is a longer distance than she has run in the past. “It’s more of a mind set kind of thing. You just have to prepare yourself for it and train for that extra 100 meters.” She will run in the AAU Nationals the week of July 30 through August 4. In the summer the competition is different from high school. “You’re running against people from different states and across the nation. It definitely pushes you and makes you become better, and really go out and put in some work. ” She enjoys being a member of Track and Field United. “The team that I am a part of, we’re like a family. We have each other’s backs, we cheer each other on and push each other and motivate each other to work harder.”

Juan Tovar said the 4 x 800 relay may be unknown but they’re putting out some fast times. “I’m pretty confident that we’ll be All American in both USATF and AAU Nationals.” Tovar also competes in the 800 and 1500 meter events. One goal for Tovar is to be on the podium in at least four events at the AAU Nationals.

Aaron Modrow has a strategy he utilizes. “I try not to go out and over-exert myself the first three or four laps, and then I take my surge in the middle. That usually puts me back in the mix for the race, and then that last thousand or so is just all mental, and all about the heart.” Modrow credits having a group of guys who care about the sport in the summer helps him a lot. “Because we hold each other accountable. We have a lot of fun doing it because everyone out here is goal oriented and we’re all here for a purpose.” Modrow also credited the challenging training regimen as a factor in helping them succeed.

The team has a GoFundMe site to help raise funds to offset the costs of their trips. https://www.gofundme.com/send-tampf-united-to-jo-nationals?member=426828