RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities in Riley County have shared the message from a woman who saw two children left alone in a van earlier in July when the heat index was over 100-degrees.

In their social media message, the RCPD said, “Thank you to a local citizen, Pam, who saw the kids in the hot vehicle and called 911. Luckily they were a little warm but OK. We are happy we were able to help, but it truly starts with people who say something when they see something like Pam. That is how tragedies are prevented and lives are saved.”

The RCPD also shared a thank you message from Pam. “It thanked the dispatcher who took her call and the officer who promptly responded. “Both were calm, cool and professional. I found the two kids strapped in car seats in a van in the Hobby Lobby Parking lot,”  Pam wrote,  “I’ve been responding to emergency calls for 40 years, I don’t get easily shook. But that did it. Who even things that it is OK to do that?  And thank God they were still crying. I hope those babies are not suffering any ill effects.”

The Riley County Police reminded readers, “Please, please, please do not leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle for any reason, even if it’s just for a minute.”

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office will change the hours of operation for the lobby area on Monday. The lobby will be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sheriff’s Department Captain Brian Hornaday said the change will not impact any services that are currently provided to the citizens of Geary County.

The tariff trade war between the U.S. and China could have an impact on farm producers .

Chuck Otte, County Extension agent explained the soybean crop is an area of concern. “Once that starts to impact we’re going to have an impact in the United States. It’s already starting to happen. Prices will continue to inch their way down.”

The extension agent noted he has read about the amount of milk and milk producers going out of California to China, and the dairy producers in California are concerned because of the impact of the tariffs on milk price in California.

Otte explained the situation could put some producers out of business. “There’s places we might be able to export to, ( they ) don’t have the money to buy it. It takes money to be involved in trade.”  During a visit on the JC Now program on the 1420 KJCK AM he indicated he feels a solution needs to be found quickly.

Summer mill and overlay street improvement projects are planned in Grandview Plaza.

Jerome Thomas, City Superintendent, said the first project will be on Continental Street in front of the Tyme Out Lounge and the Great Western Inn.

Next up will be work on Byrd Street to Belmont. “It’s like a four-block project, and then we’ll do Witt Street from State Street to Plaza Drive. That will almost do our emergency snow route around the city, and also our school route around the city.”

The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program is changing. The Director of Member Relations, Amy Garner, said it will not be primarily focused on new Chamber members to help bring them into the Chamber community. That means some will no longer have an ambassador contacting them each month.

If you would like to remain on the program beyond your first year, contact Garner. Businesses can remain on the program as long as they want to do so. Also businesses who have not had an ambassador but would like one assigned to them can be accommodated as well.

The JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated $200.00 to Live Well Geary County for the purchase of fresh fruits to be served to youth at the Summer Picnic Parties at various locations in the community.

Receiving the check is Charles Martinez (far left), representing Live Well Geary County.  Presenting the check is the JC Breakfast Optimist Club President, Buz Bruzina, (far right) along with other Optimist Club members.

One of the election polling places in Geary County will be moved beginning with the August primary election.

Geary County Commission Chairman Charles Stimatze said the polling place in the County Office Building where votes are cast in elections is being relocated to the nearby Emergency Management Office at 236 East 8th Street.

Commissioners were briefed on the change this week by Geary County Clerk Rebecca Nordyke.

Time Traveler’s Camp is coming to the Geary County Historical Museum July 18-20.

Youth ages 13-18 can participate and in activities dating back to an earlier time, said the Program and Education Director for the Historical Society Jennifer Dixon. Three slots remain open. Call 238-1666 to sign up.

Dixon stated, “Kids will be making baskets, they’ll be making butter and bread, and they’ll be doing pioneer games and a picnic, so we have lots of fun things planned.”

The cost to participate is $25 per camper.

High

99°

Sunny. Highs in the upper 90s. South winds 5 to 15 mph.