A federal grant received by the State will help fund research into the blue green algae problems at Milford and Marion Reservoirs.
State Representative Lonnie Clark informed a legislative coffee audience in Junction City that there will be about $800,000 over a four-year period for Milford Lake. “to look at what’s going on with it, how to control it, maybe to get rid of it, develop something that will kill it. I don’t know anything about the study but I was just excited we got something going, and it’s not just signs and testing.”
Clark confirmed the funding will come to the state and then through the State Agriculture Department.
Milford Lake has experienced extensive blue green algae issues in recent years which have led to lake warnings and watches, and in a few instances complete closures.
GEARY COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident during a chase just before noon Friday in Geary County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Subaru Imperza driven by Jeffery. Ritchie, 32, Denver, was westbound on Interstate 70 at Humboldt Creek Road a high rate of speed being pursued by law enforcement.
The driver attempted to maneuver the exit and was unsuccessful. The vehicle struck a road sign, went down an embankment and became disabled.
Ritchie was transported to Geary Community Hospital. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident. The KHP did not release details on what prompted the chase.
1420 – KJCK congratulates our February Teacher of the Month, Shanae Hentzen. Mrs. Hentzen is a 5th Grade Teacher at Washington Elementary School in Junction City. She was nominated by Jayllian Diaz. Teacher of the Month Sponsors include: Konza Prairie Community Health Center, Meritrust Credit Union, KS State Bank, Munson Prime, Country Floral, Three Rivers Engraving, Little Caesars Pizza, B & B Theatre and Glamazon Wax Bar.
MANHATTAN — The Junior League of the Flint Hills is hosting Manhattan’s only used formal dress event.
“Gown Town 2018” will allow you to shop hundreds of beautiful formal dresses just in time for prom.
New for the 2018 season, they are also offering dresses on consignment, so our selection is updated and sure to impress!
You will find dresses for all kinds of events, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. Be one of the first ladies in the door on Saturday morning by attending a special “pre-sale” from 10:00am – 11:00am. Tickets are only $5 and the first 25 tickets sold will receive a free swag bag!
General admission sale begins at 11:00am and goes until 3:00pm.
For more information on the event or the consignment program visit the web site here.
Junction City Commissioner Tim Brown represented the City at the recent Flint Hills Regional Council meeting. He noted this week that a Flint Hills Regional Conference will be held May 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan.
Topics will range from the Fort Riley and regional impact to healthcare, broadband and regional connectivity education and workforce.
Brown also noted that the financial picture for the council appears to be a little bit brighter than last month as well.
SMIRK, an Award-Winning Comedy-Juggling show is coming to the CL Hoover Opera House.
SMIRK, the show featuring juggling ace Warren Hammond and physical comedian Reid Belstock will be performing their all-ages show on March 2nd at 6:30 at the CL Hoover Opera House.
These two-time silver-medalists in the World Juggling Championships offer a mix of modern day theater and juggling, as well as a throwback to the golden age of comedy. SMIRK starts out like any other juggling show until the unpredictable and mischievous Reid decides to rebel against Warren. This results in Warren’s carefully planned and fine-tuned theatrical vision getting completely derailed in side-splitting and fashion. The show ultimately climaxes with a finale that will leave the audience breathless from laughter and amazement! “Their comedy and jaw dropping juggling with a mix of audience interaction made SMIRK one of the most exciting performances at Lone Tree Arts Center all year!,” notes Kirsten Fletcher from the Lone Tree Arts Center.
Reid is a native of Denver, CO, where the duo is based. He began juggling at the age of 15 as a way to overcome gross and fine motor skill impairment, and went on to fully embrace the craft as a profession. After attending the prestigious Ringling Brothers Clown College, Belstock went on to work at high-profile theme parks like Disney World, Tokyo Disney, Happy Kingdom (Shen Zhen China), as well as the MGM Las Vegas and Cruise lines across the globe.
Warren began juggling in his hometown of Roanoke, VA when he picked up some of his brother’s tennis balls. A hobbyist for many years, he perfected his art while earning a degree in biology and attending graduate school. His list of accomplishments to date include two silver and three gold medals in international juggling competitions and the International Jugglers’ Association (IJA) Excellence in Education Award. He’s also served on the IJA’s Board of Directors, as its championships director and as a judge. Finally, Hammond has toured as part of the Off-Broadway show Lazer Vaudeville and appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.
Do not be surprised to see a request for more money for the Military Affairs Council Director position salary going to city and county officials in the form of a 2019 budget proposal.
MAC Board Chair Phyllis Fitzgerald updated her fellow city commissioners this week. “There’s always the possibility that the MAC or Chamber will come to the City and the County looking for more funding for the MAC Director position, maybe in this coming year budget. So that’s something that is a possibility.”
The Military Affairs Council division of the Chamber receives funding from both the City and County.
MAC will be searching for a new director to succeed John Seitz, who retired.
There will be a Kansas gubernatorial candidate meet & greet luncheon forum for Geary County Farm Bureau members on Thursday, March 15th southeast of Junction City at Flint Hills Ag Services owned by the Dibben Family at 8152 South Highway K-58 in Geary County. The forum is being hosted by the Geary County Farm Bureau Association with meal sponsorship by Central National Bank.
During the forum there will be introductory and closing comments by the candidates plus a question and answer session, with KJCK General Manager Mark Ediger serving as the moderator for the forum. Lunch will be provided by Coach’s of Junction City.
Spokesman Jim Schmidt explained so far no one candidate has stood out as the champion of agriculture producers. ” So that began the foundation of putting together this gubernatorial candidate forum.” Schmidt noted this is part of a regular series of winter Lunch and Learns for producers. He also added organizers are expecting eight to nine of the gubernatorial candidates will be in attendance.
Geary County Farm Bureau consists of approximately 500 members.
WABAUNSEE COUNTY — One person was injured in an accident just before 8a.m. Thursday in Wabaunsee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan Maxima driven by Rico Jamel Wilcox, 30, Lawrence was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of Ranch Road.
The driver lost control of the vehicle. It crossed the median and clipped a westbound 2012 Toyota Yaris driven by Catherine Christine Smart, 25, Alma, and then struck a 2008 Freightliner semi head-on.
Wilcox was transported to the hospital in Topeka.
Smart and the semi driver Nicholas Vincent Schrader, 26, Topeka, were not injured.
All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.
A federal grant received by the State will help fund research into the blue green algae problems at Milford and Marion Reservoirs.
