|
High
|
49° | Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s. South winds up to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. |
Category: Local
Grandview Plaza Police Chief Will not Face Criminal Charges
Grandview Plaza Police Chief Shawn Peirano, who was arrested last month following a disturbance at his home, will not face criminal charges.
Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf said in a news release Tuesday that an investigation concluded that Shawn Peirano acted in defense of another person. Peirano was arrested Oct. 22 after a report of a disturbance involving Peirano and a person living with him that was not his spouse or any other immediate family member.
A special prosecutor reviewed the case and asked the sheriff’s department to conduct an investigation. Wolf says that investigation determined Peirano didn’t commit a crime. According to a detailed affidavit provided to the Special Prosecutor in the case, Morris County Attorney Laura Allen, by the Sheriff’s Office, “it was concluded that all actions taken by Mr. Peirano were done in defense of another person.”
According to the news release, formal charges for Domestic Battery and Criminal Restraint were never filed, and at this time, formal charges will not be filed against Peirano. An administrative review has been ordered to determine if Geary County Sheriff’s Office policies or procedures were violated during the initial investigation of this matter.
City Seeks to Fill Upcoming Vacancy on MPC
The City of Junction City is accepting letters of interest for anyone wanting to serve on the Metropolitan Planning Commission. The Board normally meets on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.
The term of this appointee will expire in June of 2018, and will be eligible for reappointment. Anyone interested in being considered for this appointment should submit a letter of interest by Wednesday, November 29th to Allen Dinkel, City Manager, City of Junction City, 700 North jefferson, P.O. Box 287, Junction City, KS 66441. You can also email to: allen.dinkel@jcks.com
Good News on USD 475 Bond Issuance
USD 475 Bond Issuance Update
Geary County Schools USD 475 announced today an update to the issuance of bonds related to the Junction City High School Way Forward (the new Junction City High School). This bond issuance update follows a lengthy informational campaign that promised voters no increase to the district mill levy. The financial plan used to make these promises was extremely conservative and today district officials announced a significant cost avoidance as a result of good financial standing and planning.
The bond rating for USD 475 was upgraded to an “Aa2” which is considered a very good rating and reflects the district’s strong financial and budget practices. After receiving this rating the district was able to secure a combined interest rate of 3.69% for 25 years. The original financing plan used during the information campaign called for a 4.20% interest rate. Since a lower interest rate was achieved, Geary County Schools will save in excess of $10 million in interest cost over the lifetime of the bond.
USD 475 also announced that as a result of refinancing existing bonds held by the district, those bonds would be repaid four years sooner than originally planned resulting in interest cost savings of over $1.6 million.
“USD 475 has successfully executed a financial plan to deliver to the voters an outcome that improves upon the original estimates and as promised, results in a no mill levy increase.” – Dr. Corbin Witt, Superintendent of Schools.
Future savings will allow the Geary County Schools Board of Education the ability to consider new options for USD 475 in the years to come such as paying off these bonds earlier than originally planned.
USD 475 Communications Department
‘Devil’ brigade Soldier dies near Fort Stockton, Texas
A 1st Infantry Division Soldier died in a two-vehicle collision near Fort Stockton, Texas, Nov. 18.
First Lt. Stephanie Hetland, a chemical officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., was driving to her next duty station – Fort Bliss, Texas – when the collision occurred on Interstate 10 about 6.5 miles west of Fort Stockton. The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating the collision.
“The 1st Brigade Engineer Battalion is deeply saddened by the loss of 1st Lt. Stephanie Hetland,” said Lt. Col. Scott Miller, commander of the 1st BEB. “We offer our most sincere condolences to her family and friends. We will continue to fully support them during this challenging time of grief.”
Hetland joined the Army in December 2014 and arrived at Fort Riley in June 2015. She was 26 years old. Her home of record is Jacksonville, Florida.
She deployed to South Korea in October 2016.
Hetland’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Medal.
Manhattan Firefighters Respond to Mobile Home Fire
Manhattan, Kan., November 22, 2017 — At 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, the Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 2500 Farm Burea Road Lot # 68 for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, crews found a single wide mobile home with smoke and fire showing. The fire was contained within 15 minutes. A total of 19 firefighters responded on 6 fire apparatus with the last units still on scene at the time of this release. No injuries were reported.
The mobile home is located in the Redbud Estates Manufactured Home Community. The owner of the mobile home is listed as Stephen McKenzie of the same address. The sole occupant was not at home at the time of the fire. The loss is estimated at $10,000 for the mobile home and $8000 for the contents. The fire cause is under investigation at this time.
County Authorizes Purchase of New Imaging Camera
The Geary County Commission has authorized the purchase of a new thermal imaging camera for a rural fire truck. The cost is approximately $4,100.
The funding is coming from a grant, explained Commission Chairman Ben Bennett. “And then he still has another $4,100 left of this grant. He’s going to look into replacing some of the brush fire equipment for the individual firefighters that needs to be done. Of course that’s our major source of fires that we have to go to, are brush fires and grass fires.”
The commission received an update on Monday from Rural Fire Chief Garry Berges.
EPA: All Kansas counties meet updated ozone standard
TOPEKA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that the air quality in all 105 Kansas counties meets the most recent ozone standards.
In a letter to Governor Sam Brownback, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt stated, “This is good news for the citizens of Kansas. I encourage you to continue your efforts to maintain air quality that meets the 2015 ground-level ozone standards.”
The EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on October 1, 2015, based on scientific evidence about ozone’s effects on public health and welfare.
The EPA updated these standards to improve public health protection, particularly for at-risk groups which includes children, older adults, people with lung diseases such as asthma and people who are active outdoors. The change is also intended to improve tree, plant and ecosystem health.
KDHE has 20 air monitors across the state and works to protect the public and environment from air pollution.
Junction City-Geary County United Way looks to raise $140,000
The Junction City/Geary County United Way is off to a fast start as they try to reach their current fundraising goal of $140,000.
Executive director Nicole Mahder, who was a guest Monday morning on JC Now, says they’re already 60% of the way there.
“It’s off of donations only,” Mahder said. “They’ll also do a raffle for a few gift baskets. This year they brought in over $2,000.”
If you would like to help out, Mahder says there are plenty of ways organizations and employees can make a difference.
“If your employment offers payroll deduction you can have it set to automatically come out of your paycheck. Even if it’s five dollars every two weeks that goes to the organizations or goes to your community. I believe $30 provides 12 hours of hands-on, face-to-face counseling .”
The United Way helps fund a number of local organizations.
County Office Schedule for Holiday Period
County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer reports that all Geary County offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, except for the Transfer Station.
The Transfer Station will be open for regular hours on Friday and Saturday.
Regular hours for all offices will resume next Monday, November 27th.