The public had an opportunity to bring their dog and cats to Heritage Park on Saturday for the Friends of Animals hosted Low Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinic.

According to spokesperson Sally Maes said a year ago about 150 out of 200 available forms were printed out for people attending. This year the event went through 200 and an additional 200 forms had to be printed so the event was well received. There were a lot of activities. “They’re getting vaccinations, they’re getting microchips, they’re getting toe nails clipped and they’re visiting some of these vendors that came in.”

A microchip is a small seed-like device about size of a piece of rice which is inserted. “And it’s got a certain number on it. If you run a scanner over it, it picks it up and tells you who the owner is. It’s a way to find your pet if it gets lost.”

This was done in the past at the 4-H Center but was moved to Heritage Park this year. In the past it was part of an annual pet fair, but the Friends of Animals are developing new ideas for the future. Maes noted they’re working on Tails by Twilight for the Fall and Santa Paws, and other activities are in the works.

The Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, said Friday there is nothing more troubling to him than when he learns a Soldier has taken his or her life. He addressed a news conference after a visit to Fort Riley.

Esper stated, “In my conversations with the chain of command nobody said it’s a lack of resources or a lack of effort, or in many ways a lack of understanding. ” He said,  It’s a challenge that affects not just the Army, but society at large.We have to tackle it because it’s too important to our Soldiers, our units. We’ve got to take care of them.”

The Secretary said he recently directed that NCO’s be back in charge of their Soldiers, “taking care responsibility for these issues, that we’re employing such as not in my squad. The Sergeant Major of the Army has endorsed where we call upon Soldiers to make sure they watch out for one another, they look for the warning signs of a Soldier who may be anxious or stressed out or depressed.” Esper added a holistic approach must be taken to address the issue.

There have been multiple suicide cases involving Fort Riley Soldiers in the past year.

During Esper also met with units and command teams. participated in a town hall meeting and met with military spouses during a luncheon. “So I’ve had a wonderful visit, a great opportunity to better understand the post. appreciate the great vast training areas it offers and really get a good sense of the readiness and preparedness of the 1st Infantry Division.” Fort Riley is one of four military installations under consideration as a possible future home for a new Armored Brigade Combat Team. Esper indicated that decision will be made later this summer.

Update:

KDOT and the Kansas Highway Patrol have confirmed that eastbound I-70 has been reopened to traffic.

KDOT reported that a section of an asphalt overlay had deteriorated into several loose pieces on the I-70 bridge over Clarks Creek. The bridge is structurally safe,but it was necessary to remove the broken pieces of asphalt so that they do not create a traffic hazard.

This was the same bridge but a different section that needed repair on a April 10. KDOT is planning a permanent repair project for the entire asphalt overlay on the bridge.

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Due to a problem with a bridge on Interstate 70 between the 303 and 304 exits eastbound traffic has been shutdown at that location.  It is being rerouted at exit 303 down K-18 into Manhattan and then back south out of Manhattan on K-177 to Interstate 70.

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf stated, “From what I’ve been told the bridge at the 304 out there has a section that’s doing the delamination stuff again. We’re having to shut down that portion of the interstate again until we can get KDOT out there to inspect the bridge and get it fixed back up.”

This problem, which involves a crumbling of a top layer of the roadway, happened a few weeks ago.

A check with police dispatch in Junction City revealed eastbound I-70 traffic in the early afternoon was backed up more than two miles.

 

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded late Thursday afternoon to Interstate 70 about four miles east of Junction City for a non-injury accident.

Cailley Crenshaw, Grandview Plaza, was driving her 1998 Toyota Corolla west bound when the vehicle slid on the wet roadway and struck a guardrail. There was minor damage to the driver’s side front of the vehicle.

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Deputies responded Thursday evening to U.S. 77 mile marker 157 for a non-injury accident. A southbound vehicle struck a  deer when it entered the roadway.

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Deputies responded Thursday evening to Acorn Resort for a reported theft from a boat. At approximately 12:35 a.m. someone took a depth finder, five fishing poles and pliers out of a boat that was at the dock. The case is under investigation.

The headline bands for Sundown Salute in Junction City are set.

According to the website for the Fourth of July time frame celebration, they include the Aaron Woods Band on Red Dirt Country Night June 29th, Ty Herndon performing on Country and Western Night June 30th, and on Christian Night July 1st it will be Aaron Shust.

On Soul Night on July 2nd the Spinners will be featured, on Rock and Roll Night July 3rd it will be Head East, and on July 4th which is Rockin’ Blues Night the feature performer will be Jonathon “Boogie” Long.