MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a report of rape and asking the  public for help to find two suspects.

On Saturday, February 17th a 24 year-old woman was raped in the bathroom at O’Malley’s bar, 1210 Moro Street in Manhattan, according to a social media report from Riley County Police.

The woman was using the restroom when two unknown white males entered the room and raped her.

Police are asking for anyone who went to O’Malley’s that night who has pictures or videos from inside the bar to please contact RCPD.

You can reach Detective Johnson directly at (785) 537-2112 ext. 2323. If you would like to make an anonymous tip, you can contact Crime Stoppers at (785) 539-7777. Using the Crime Stoppers service allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.

The Junction City – Geary County United Way still needs a few more volunteers to assist with the allocation panels.

They help determine the funding allotment for organizations served by United Way.

The volunteer time is 1-5 p.m. Possible volunteer dates include March 13th, 15th, 20th, 22nd and 27th.

To volunteer call the United Way Office at 238-2117 or a United Way co-worker.

The Great Plains Theatre has announced that actors are wanted for a Reader’s Theatre performance of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This is a play based on the novel by Mark Haddon.

Auditions are open to all and will be held on Saturday, March 3rd beginning at 3 p.m. The adaptation by Simon Stephens does include adult language so actors under the age of 18 must have parental permission to audition and perform if they are cast.

The cast will include seven to ten people with doubling. Interested parties should call 785-263-4574 and register with the Theatre office.

The performance will be directed by Gage Stielau, currently a student within the K-State Theatre Department.

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on alleged sex charges.

Just before 5:30p.m. Monday. police arrested Lonnie Gallauger, 50, of Manhattan, in the 3000 block of Brookville Drive in Manhattan on three counts of rape, seven counts of electronic solicitation, three counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, seven counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and one count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to Riley County Police Department activity report.

Gallauger was issued a total bond of $200,000.00 causing him to remain confined at the time of this report.

Meadowlark

MANHATTAN —​Capitalizing on an extensive art collection featuring well-known local and Kansas artists, Meadowlark staff have joined with several Manhattan community members to plan an inaugural event, Art Mingle: Manhattan Memories, to benefit the Meadowlark Memory Program.

Guests at a Friday evening reception,  March 9, are invited to mingle with; friends among the colorful galleries in the Community Center. Food for thought, lively libations, treasured tunes, and art appreciation are part of the night’s plan.

Meadowlark chef John Gasser and his talented team will tempt three of the five senses with an array of eye-catching appetizers, several of which will be as pleasing to the brain as they are to the palate. Craft beers, wine, and a specialty cocktail are on the beverage menu, and two local guitarists are pairing up to deliver jazz and classic pop/rock hits. There’s plenty to see, taste and hear, but Minglers won’t want to miss an Artists’ Showcase, featuring local art legend Oscar Larmer and his former student, Ralph Fontenot. They’ll be greeting fans and making new friends while among examples of their work.

In addition, large paintings by the late Elfreda Johnson Peterson will be on display. These paintings, now hidden gems of Meadowlark’s collection, previously hung at Scheu’s Café, which operated in Manhattan from the 1930s to the 1970s on the southwest corner of 5th and Poyntz (currently the location of the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce). Even if you don’t remember Scheu’s, you’ll want to see these big beauties.

Silent and live auctions, featuring art-related items and experiences, as well as party favors for all attendees also are planned.

The theme, Manhattan Memories, reflects some of the subject matter of our honored guests and offers a nod to the event’s beneficiary. The memory program, now in its third year, provides education and engagement opportunities for persons affected by memory loss. All program services are FREE and are open to anyone in the Flint Hills region.

A VIP (very important paintings) Experience begins at 6 p.m., with a general Mingle following at 7 p.m. Mingle tickets are $50 per person. A limited number of VIP tickets are available at $75 per person and include select food and beverages, a docent-led tour, reserved parking, and a souvenir drinking glass. For more information or to make reservations, call 785-537-4610 or purchase online below.

Live Auction Items for Art Mingle:

• ​Beach Museum of Art’s Behind the Scenes Tour for 10 – also includes wine, appetizers, a catered meal & a copy of the book “To Build Up a Rich Collection: Selected Works from the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art”
• Cocktails & Collection – an evening for eight at the home of Wayne & Cindy Sloan with Jay & Barbara Nelson serving as docents for the Sloans’ art collection
• Ralph Fontenot original, framed watercolor of Manhattan’s renovated train depot
• “A Sun Dog Barks in Pott County,” – an original framed watercolor by the late Gene Ernst (17” x 21”)
• “All the Right Ingredients,” – an original collage and acrylic by Ginny Young (38” x 38”)
• 1930 hand-pieced, hand-quilted Fan Quilt (72” x 88”, never used or displayed, initialed & dated by quilter)
• “St. Francis Restores the Neglected Church – #X – Scrubbing Floors – Homage to Stanley Spencer,” – James Munce framed print, 1/60, signed & dated by the artist (26” x 25”)

In addition, bidders will have the chance to support Meadowlark Memory Program opportunities: Memories in the Making, Music & Memory, and the Memory Matters Symposium.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to a two-vehicle non-injury accident Monday morning at the intersection of U.S. 77 and Old Highway 77.

Jennifer McKim, Milford, was parked in a Dodge Neon waiting at a red light on U.S. 77 and Old Highway 77 when the vehicle was hit from behind by a Mazda CX-5 driven by Tiffany Harter, Milford. There was minor damage to both vehicles.

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The Sheriff Department reported that Deputies responded Monday to a single non-injury accident at U.S. 77 near mile marker 167.

Tina Smith, Riley, was driving a Ford Fiesta southbound when a deer entered the roadway. Smith was unable to avoid striking the deer.

 

The work to build a new Junction City High School is still in the early stages but a number of topics were touched on during a report by the Chief Operations Officer for USD 475 David Wild to city, county and board of education elected officials on Monday.

The bullet points include:

–It is lawful and legal for the proposed land site to be transferred to USD 475. A court decision in the eminent domain case that can determine value of the property is expected in mid to late April.

–Kaw Valley Engineering has completed a survey of the 160-acre property, which is west of Junction City and north of K-18 highway.

–Architects have completed interviews with the JCHS staff and administration.

–There will be a public comment period for the schematic design process this spring where the public can give input.

–Construction manager at risk proposals will be considered. One of the factors in the selection will be their ability to use local businesses and workforce.

–A delegation from the school district and community have visited new school sites in Wichita and the Kansas City area and have another trip planned to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. The goal there is to gather concepts and ideas.

–During the trips they have seen continued movement toward technical education and project work done in a collaborative environment.

–The new schools visited have a mall type environment, are clean, aesthetically pleasing and have secure entrance ways.

A maximum of $105 million has been allotted for the new JCHS project. It will be paid for by a combination of federal heavy impact aid money and state aid.

High
65° Breezy. Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 60s. South winds 15 to 25 mph.

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred Monday evening in Wamego, according to a media release.

Just after 6 p.m., the Wamego Police Department requested KBI assistance to respond to and investigate a shooting. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded.

Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 5:30 p.m. Monday, law enforcement officers responded to the report of an armed carjacking at Kreem Kup Drive In, 601 W. Hwy 24 in Wamego. Law enforcement officers from several agencies made contact with the suspect at approximately 6 p.m. in the area of 8^th St. and Pine St. Shortly after, gunfire was exchanged between the male suspect and five law enforcement officers from four agencies. The agencies who had officers fire during the incident were: the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, the Wamego Police Department, and the St. George Police Department.

EMS responded, however, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident, however, one officer was transported to the hospital as a precaution due to a health concern.

The deceased individual will be identified once his next of kin is notified. No further information will be released at this time.