UPDATE:
Just after one p.m. Junction City Public Works announced that this water main has been repaired.
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From Junction City Public Works at 10:03 a.m.
The 1100 block of Country Club Ln. will experience low water pressure or no water for the next 4 – 6 hours due to water main repairs.
Authorities have announced that no outdoor burning will be allowed in Geary and Riley County on Friday.
Conditions continue to be dry, although there is a 20% chance of drizzle Friday afternoon.
The inaugural Pop Up Art Gallery featuring the paintings of Mitch Stimers will be held Saturday, March 31st from 6-9 p.m. at 701 North Washington.
The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce provided the information.
The fiscal year 2018 omnibus funding bill includes money to support a pay raise for the troops.
U.S. Jerry Moran said the 2.4% increase is the largest since 2010. The measure approved by Congress also includes funding for defense priorities such as $2.9 billion for 18 KC-46A tankers.
Appropriations for military construction and the VA are also included in the bill. There is funding for the VA to invest in the livelihood and well-being of members of the military, their families and this nation’s veterans. There is $17.5 million for a Combat Arms Facility on McConnell Air Force Base and $19 million for Enlisted barracks on Fort Leavenworth.
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High
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71° | Cloudy. A 20 percent chance of thunderstorms and drizzle in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. |
ALMA, Kan. (AP) — No charges will be filed in the fatal shooting death of a man last month in Wabaunsee County.
County Attorney Tim Liesmann announced Thursday that the shooting of 36-year-old Chad Thomas-Buckbee in Alma was a justified self-defense shooting.
Liesmann said the shooting occurred after Thomas-Buckbee began acting aggressively toward a family member, who tried to lock him out of the house.
He says Thomas-Buckbee got inside the house and was shot after he injured a family member. He died later at a Wamego hospital.
Liesmann did not identify the shooter or the person who was injured.
The U.S. Census Bureau has published information online ranking Geary County third in the nation among counties by percentage in population decrease for the July 1, 2016 to July 1, 2017 time frame.
The Geary County population was listed at 33,855 on July 1,2017, which was down from 35,208 on July 1, 2016. That equates to a 3.8% decrease, and a numeric loss totaling 1,353 people.
By way of comparison with other years the Geary County population went from 35, 247 on April 1,2010 to a high of 37,886 on July 1, 2012. In succeeding years the population was counted at 36,777 in 2013, 36,459 in 2014, 36,682 for 2015 to 35,208 in 2016 and 33,855 for 2017.
Junction City Manager Allen Dinkel was contacted for reaction, and noted he wanted to review the breakdown between city and county numbers. ” I think it just puts emphasis on the fact that we have to keep trying to diversity our economy here. ” Dinkel also added, “continue to push to try and get another brigade ( of soldiers ) in this community is big.”
Dinkel noted it may be negative in the short term. but is still growth from what the community experienced a few years ago. He added there must be continued review of services provided by the government with the costs, and also job availability.
DInkel also provided a different report from the Kansas League of Municipalities containing Kansas certified population numbers received a few months ago. It showed Geary County went down from 37,030 population on July 1, 2016 down to 35,586 on July 1,2017. Junction City had a reduction in that report of 441 people during that time, Milford 23 and Grandview Plaza 67 residents. The balance of Geary County had a reported decrease of 913 residents.
I.C.A.R.E. works to connect generations in meaningful activities and to enable youth and older adults to learn from each other.
The founder of the organization, Vicki Bobbit told the JC Breakfast Optimist Club Thursday that in 2009 I.C.A.R.E. became a 501c3 non-profit organization and created a partnership with USD 475. Club President Ferrell Miller noted that other elementary and secondary school groups have joined in activities to work with older adults at the Bicentennial Manor, Valley View, the Senior Center and other organizations. Activities have ranged from youth doing interviews and teaching older adults how to Skype to the youth learning patience and social skills.
I.C.A.R.E. is also among organizations working on providing multi-generational playground / fitness equipment to be placed at the Fifth Street Park and the project is compatible with the Blue Cross / Blue Shield pathway grant to help with the cost of the equipment.
The JC Breakfast Optimist Club donated $200 to I.C.A.R.E. to be used for activities with youth and older adults as needed.
Congressman Roger Marshall has issued a release stating he voted in support of the proposed omnibus spending package. The bill appropriates the funds agreed upon in the fiscal year 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act.
The measure funds multiple programs and priorities. Some of them include full funding for a 2.4% pay raise for the troops. Marshall said the measure rebuilds America’s Armed Forces by making the largest investment in 15 years.
There would be $21 billion for instrastructure projects across the country, nearly $4 billion to combat the opioid crisis and funding to fully staff Farm Service Agency offices, including the addition of loan officers to ensure that producers are able to access credit in a timely manner.
Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges has determined no burning will be allowed in the county Thursday or Friday.
It is the season when farm producers often burn pastures to clear away cedar trees, but for this two-day period the dry, windy conditions are expected to be prohibitive to that process.
