The JC Breakfast Optimist Club has donated $200 to the Junction City Police Department for their work with “Shop With a Cop.”

“Shop With a COp” is an opportunity for needy children to purchase a Christmas gift or gifts for themselves, their siblings or other family members at Wal-Mart and build a positive relationship with law enforcement. About 80 students will be selected to participate this year.

Voters have approved a bond issue to help fund a new Junction City High School.

The vote on Tuesday was 1,825 in favor and 1,455 no. There are some provisional ballots that will be reviewed by the Board of Canvassers on Monday, but Geary County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer confirmed there are not enough of them to change any of the election outcomes.

Geary USD 475 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Corbin Witt, was relieved after the votes had been counted. The next step will be to purchase land for the new school. “We’ve got to go through and interview for a construction manager at-risk firm and then we’ll start the design phase of the high school.” Witt has indicated in the past that the new school will be located on the west side of the city.

Because the bond issue was approved the State of Kansas will now pay 47% of the cost of building that new school. Federal Heavy Impact Aid received by USD 475 will provide the remainder of the funding. School district officials have made it clear that there will be no increase in the local property tax levy.

According to the County Clerk’s Office 21.25% of the registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday, or 3,398 people.

TOPEKA — Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss announced today the Supreme Court has reappointed Judge Michael Powers to a two-year term as chief judge of the 8th Judicial District, effective January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019.

Powers has served as district judge in the 8th Judicial District since 1991 and chief judge since 1994. He presides over cases in Geary, Dickinson, Marion, and Morris counties.

“We are glad that Judge Powers agreed to serve another two years as chief judge, providing continuity in capable leadership in the 8th Judicial District,” said Nuss.

“I have enjoyed serving as chief judge of the 8th Judicial District, which has outstanding judges, clerks, probation officers, and support staff, who are dedicated to serving the public even in the most challenging times,” Powers said. “I look forward to continuing to work with them and the great people in the four counties of this district.”

Powers is a native of Yates Center and graduated from Emporia State University and the University of Kansas School of Law. He practiced law in Council Grove and was Morris County attorney before becoming a district judge.

Each of Kansas’ 31 judicial districts has a chief judge who, in addition to his or her judicial responsibilities, has general control over case assignments within the district, as well as general supervisory authority over the administrative and clerical functions of the court.

JUNCTION CITY—Eagle Communications Inc. has announce the election of Kara Denton as Advisory Director to the company’s Board of Directors.

Denton joined Eagle in July 2013 as the Broadband Financial Controller. She was recently promoted to Chief Accounting Officer and now oversees all of the organization’s accounting operations.

“We are excited to have Kara’s business and accounting experience join our board of directors,” said Eagle Communications President Gary Shorman. “Having another Employee Owner involved in our corporate governance is a positive for the board and our entire organization.”

Denton is a 2005 graduate from Kansas State University with a Master’s in Accountancy. Prior to joining Eagle, Kara spent three years working in the Kansas City office of Deloitte and five years with Kansas City Life Insurance. During her time with Eagle, she has continued her education to maintain her CPA license.

Denton is currently a board member for the United Way of Ellis County. She also volunteers time as a big sister for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ellis County. Her husband Shawn teaches at Thomas More Prep-Marian. They have two children Nora, 4 and Lahna, 7 months. They enjoy following Kansas State and Kansas City athletic teams.

Eagle Communications, Inc. is a Kansas-based Broadband Services and Media Company with over 300 employee-owners. The company operates 28 radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri as well as cable TV systems in 60 Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado communities. The company also offers e-business solutions, web hosting, telephone service, high-speed Internet, and wireless Internet in most service areas. For more information log on to https://www.eaglecom.net.

RILEY COUNTY — Leaders of the Black Student Union at Kansas State University are calling for charges to be filed against Dauntarius Williams, 21, Manhattan, who admitted to police this week that that he was responsible for the racist graffiti on his own car.

Williams admission led to a series of conversations between the Riley County Police Department Director Brad Schoen and the Riley County Attorney Barry Wilkerson.

They concluded that despite having filed a false report, the filing of criminal charges against Williams would not be in the best interests of the citizens of Manhattan.

Black Student Union leaders in a media release said they are appalled, disgusted and hurt by Williams false report and so called “ prank”and believe criminal charges should be filed.

“The fact that an African American man committed this act should not undermine its effect on Kansas State students. The conduct of Williams does not negate the current racist and discriminatory actions that continue on campus, community, the state and nation.”

The Junction City High School JROTC team placed sixth overall out of 37 teams in the National Raider All Services competition in Molena, Georgia.

According to the President of the Parent Support Group for the JCHS JROTC program, Lisa Osenga,  the JCHS Raider team placed fourth in the Rope Bridge and fifth in the Gauntlet competition, for which they received trophies.

Osenga reported that this was the first time in JCHS JROTC history that they had placed in the national competition.

 

Junction City police are reporting damage to at least 30 tombstones at the Highland Cemetery.

Police Public Information Officer Trish Giordano confirmed at least 30 tombstones were knocked over. The damage occurred between 9 p.m. Monday and this morning.

Highland Cemetery officials will contact the families that owned the tombstones.

Giordano stated hopefully police will be able to get some tips on who did the damage. She said if you have information you can call the JCPD TIPS line at 762-8477 or leave a web tip at https://www.gearycrimestoppers.com

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking for information after a man was shot during an attempted aggravated robbery Monday night in the 2200 block of College Avenue in Manhattan,

The suspect is described as a black male 5-foot-9,  medium to heavy build, wearing a black ski mask and a sweatshirt.

Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of College Avenue in

Manhattan. Emergency medical crews transported one man for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

As police searched for the suspect, Via Christi officials placed the nearby hospital on lockdown. Staff and visitors were only allowed in and out of the visitor entrance.

The lockdown was lifted at 6:30p.m., according to the hospital.

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RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and continue to search for a suspect Tuesday.

Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of College Avenue in

Manhattan. Emergency medical crews transported one man for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

As police searched for the suspect, Via Christi officials placed the nearby hospital on lockdown. Staff and visitors were only allowed in and out of the visitor entrance.

The lockdown was lifted at 6:30p.m., according to the hospital.

Police released no additional details late Monday.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to the 1000 block of East 6th Street for a single vehicle non-injury accident.

Matthew Burch, Junction City, was traveling eastbound in a 2016 Dodge Dart when a deer jumped on the hood of the vehicle.