Roads closed Tuesday in Northwest Kansas due to blowing dust-photo Thomas Co. Sheriff
4p.m. UPDATE: KDOT reported I-70, U.S. 24 and U.S. 40 are now open.
For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online here.
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THOMAS COUNTY —The Kansas Department of Transportation has closed I-70 from Goodland to Colby due to reduced visibility caused by blowing dust. In addition, U.S. 36 from Atwood to Oberlin and Highway 25 between Colby and Highway 40 are also closed.
For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas, or check travel information online here.
RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a teen for alleged aggravated assault.
Just after 11:30p.m. Monday, police filed a report in connection with an alleged road rage incident in the 200 Block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard.
David Spruell-Penegar, 18, of Manhattan, displayed a handgun at a couple from Illinois, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.
Police arrested Spruell-Penegar in the 1500 Block of Laramie Street on requested charges of aggravated assault.
Land acquisition, non-elected personnel, and teacher contract negotiations were all the subject of a lengthy closed door series of executive sessions Monday evening for the Geary USD 475 Board of Education.
At the conclusion, about 11:45 p.m., the Board reemerged into open public session and promptly adjourned without taking any other formal action. The Board spent a total of about two hours and 25 minutes meeting behind closed doors.
An audience of about 25 people spent the time during the executive sessions waiting on the Board to see if any action would be taken, but there was none. Most of those waiting were interested in the executive sessions on non-elected personnel.
Emergency warning sirens sounded in Junction City about 10 a.m. Tuesday as part of the statewide tornado safety drill.
1420 KJCK AM participated in the drill with emergency on-air procedures and storm advice.
A check with Junction City Public Works Director Ray Ibarra revealed the warning sirens in the city all worked properly, with one exception. An emergency warning siren on Lacey Drive did not activate. That siren will be checked to determine the problem.
The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to U.S. 77, mile marker 161 for a one-vehicle non-injury accident. Frank E. Murphree, Clay Center, was traveling north bound in his 1999 Ford Crown Victoria when a deer entered the roadway and was struck by the vehicle.
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Deputies responded to U.S. 77, mile marker 163 for a one-vehicle non-injury accident. Robert Bork, Milford, was traveling north bound in his 2012 Hyundai Sonata when a coyote entered the roadway and was struck.
Geary County rural firefighters responded to a major fire about 12 miles east of Junction City Monday evening.
According to Geary County Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges the grass fire began on the south side of Interstate 70 and burned about 600 acres. There were no injuries.
Berges said Geary County Rural Fire assisted by Riley and Fort Riley fire personnel worked the blaze. A back burn was started to bring the fire under control.
The rural fire chief added the blaze was probably started by discarded smoking materials.
VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, in coordination with Fort Riley, will host the 2018 Suicide Prevention Summit on April 13th from 8 a.m. until noon at the Courtyard By Marriott Convention Center.
Officials noted that you can listen to this nation’s heroes and have an open community conversation about military transitions, suicide prevention, healing and hope.
Special guest speakers will include Jason Hall and Scott Haze from the film, “Thank You for Your Service.” Hall was nominated for an Oscar as the screen writer of “American Sniper.” while Haze was an actor in “Thank You for Your Service who portrayed the role of wounded soldier, Michael Adam Emory.
Fort Riley officials have announced that the post will not test the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System on Tuesday. The next test is scheduled at noon on April 3.
Fort Riley will participate in the statewide tornado safety drill Tuesday at 10 a.m. That will serve as the installation’s weekly test.
AARP Driver Safety Program will be offered again this year in Geary County on Apr. 19th and 20th . The eight-hour course is designed specifically to meet the needs of drivers over age 50. It will help participants sharpen their driving skills, develop strategies for adjusting to age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time, and learn about the effects of medications on driving performance.
AARP Driver Safety Program will be taught by David Fanshier, AARP-certified instructor. Class size is limited. To register for the course contact the Geary County Senior Center at 238-4015. The cost is $15 per person for AARP members and $20 for non-members. The enrollment deadline is noon on Monday, April 16, 2018. The class will meet each day from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the 4-H/Senior Citizens Center.
Lunch is available at the Senior Center for $3.50 for persons over 60 years of age, or $5.25 for persons under 60 years of age. Meal reservations may be made when you register for the class.
Many insurance companies provide a premium reduction for their customers who complete the course. Further information is available from the Geary County Senior Center at 238-4015.
Officials announce that the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket is coming to Milford Lake.
One bass fisherman will emerge from the 2018 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket Tournament presented by Bass Pro Shops at Milford Lake to advance to the prestigious Bassmaster Classic championships.
The top four finishing teams from the College Series National Championship in July will advance to the tournament August 14-16 at Milford Lake. Those eight fishermen will then fish for one berth in the national Bassmaster Classic.
The Youth Director for Kansas Bass Nation, Richard Heflin, explained the tournament at Milford Reservoir could be a big draw. “I would guess for that bracket series event you could draw a couple of thousand spectators pretty easy.”
The Director of the Geary County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau Michelle Stimatze,said local officials have been working on this project for about a year. “We’re really, really excited about what’s coming to our community.” Stimatze noted the benefits for the local community from this event. “It’s an economic impact for our community. people will stay overnight. They’ll buy gasoline, food and other things.”
Stimatze explained officials want to have a trade show at Acorn’s Resort during the tournament and those attending the event can watch a live stream of the tournament at that site. In addition a stage where the weigh-in’s will be conducted will be set up in the State Park.
Stimatze stated, “Very, very excited. I love hosting these type of things.”
In addition on April 8, Milford Lake will be the site of the first ever BASS College State Championship. College anglers will be able to qualify for the College National Championship by winning the state title or by fishing and placing in a 2018 Carhartt BASSMASTER College Series Event. The winner there advances to the National Championship at Tenkiller Lake in Oklahoma. From there the top four teams, or eight anglers, will come to Milford Lake to compete August 14-16.
