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Category: Local

Upcoming Opera House Shows Highlighted for Breakfast Optimist Club

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Opera House

Shows for the upcoming season at the C. L. Hoover Opera House were highlighted this week for the Junction City Breakfast Optimist Club. Opera House Directors Joe and Sheila Markley addressed the club.

There will be a program on September 15 titled “Yesterday and Today.” This will be an all request Beatles show in which members of the audience will name their favorite Beatles songs and then they will hear them performed  live during the concert. “Bible Bingo” is a one woman comedy show with audience participation, which will be presented on October 6. And on November 9 there will be a show titled “letters Home,” which is comprised of letters soldiers and families exchanged while the soldier was stationed in the Middle East.

City Finances Improving

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Junction City has had to deal with extreme debt issues in recent years. But proof the city’ debt reduction program is working was revealed at this week’s city commission meeting. The city now has $31 million available.

City Manager Allen Dinkel explained most of that funding is committed. “Financial management the City has done since the crash back in 08, 09, and 10 put in place budget controls that we try to do as a city. A lot of that money is committed to different projects so it’s not like it’s cash to have, but I just think it’s things we’ve done.”

The City will continue to have debt obligations for the next several years into the next decade but the situation is improving.

 

 

Victory Fest Set for Saturday at Fort Riley

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Public invited to celebrate 1st Infantry Division’s 100th anniversary during
“Victory Fest” celebration

Fort Riley hosts “Victory Fest,” a day-long music celebration Saturday to
honor the 1st Infantry Division’s 100th anniversary.  The event is open to
the general public and takes place at Fort Riley’s Marshall Army Air Field.

The full-day schedule features nationally known bands:

.       USO Show Troupe         3:15 p.m.
.       Lit                             4:30 p.m.
.       The Charlie Daniels Band        6 p.m.
.       The All-American Rejects        7:30 p.m.
.       Eli Young Band          9 p.m.

Several local bands and the 1st Infantry Division Band will also perform
beginning at 11 a.m.  A full schedule, listing all the bands and performance
times, can be found at https://www.victoryfest2017.com, where you’ll also
find ticket pricing information.

Events begin at 10 a.m. with a car and bike show, a variety of family
activities, food vendors and military equipment displays. The day closes
with a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division and
Fort Riley, will celebrate Victory Fest as part of an opening ceremony at 3
p.m.

Attendees of Victory Fest should note the following:
.       All off-post traffic must enter the gate at exit 301, I-70 and will
not be permitted past the airfield.
.       The venue is handicap accessible but ideal concert viewing is on a
grassy field.
.       Parking is available on paved lots.
.       Parking for on-post traffic is available on the north side of
Marshall Army Air Field.
.       Tickets are not required for children age 4 and younger.
.       Folding chairs, blankets and strollers are allowed and recommended.
.       No outside food or beverage or coolers are allowed.
.       Empty, refillable water bottles are allowed and free water is
available.
.       Pets, on- or off-leash, are not allowed.
.       Tents and umbrellas are not allowed.
.       Video cameras and professional-grade cameras with detachable lenses
are not allowed.
.       All bags are checked at the entrances.

First Day Enrollment Total

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The new school year began Wednesday in Geary USD 475.

A check with the school district communication office revealed a first-day student enrollment count of 7,119. The enrollment numbers typically do show some additional increase after the first day as more students arrive in the district.

Stained Glass Window Repaired

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A stained glass window broken by vandals at Church of Our Savior United Methodist Church in Junction City has been repaired.

The Church noted that the vandalism, which was reported to Junction City police, occurred sometime between July 27-30. The church, at 1735 Thompson Drive, was founded in 1962 and is a congregation of the Great Plains Conference of the United Methodist Church.

The stained glass repair was done by Maury Berggren, Manhattan, an artist who works in that medium.

The repaired window will be rededicated at the Sunday service on August 20 at 11 a.m.

No Movement Yet on Chamber of Commerce Consolidation Issue

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There has not been any movement on the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce consolidation.

City Commissioner Mick McCallister reported this week that officials are still waiting on further financial information from Geary County.

The County Commission recently issued a notice of intent to withdraw from the consolidated Chamber of Commerce master agreement at the end of the year. Financial concerns were cited, especially related to the decline in transient guest tax revenue. Those funds support the operation of the convention and visitor’s bureau.

The notice to withdraw met a July 1st deadline and then left time until the end of the year to discuss the matter. A committee has now been formed to review the operations of the consolidated Chamber during the past five years.

City Trying to Collect Funds from KDOT

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Allen Dinkel, Junction City Manager

The City of Junction City is trying to collect on funds owed by KDOT for a sewer line project.

City Manager Allen Dinkel explained the City had to move a sewer line due to construction for the U.S. 77 – K-18 highway overpass project.  He stated there was an agreement where KDOT would pay 75% and the City 24%. “Got through the project. They reimbursed part of it real quickly, but the last three collections have been real tough.”

After more conversations Dinkel stated the city did receive $600,000 from KDOT. “They still owe $305,000 for work that was done last year. We have sent notes to KDOT along with copies to our state senators and also our state representatives to try and get it collected.”

Dinkel has noted the project at U.S. 77 and K-18 to replace an overpass and re-develop the intersection has experienced delays. He does not expect that work to be completed until in sometime in the late spring in 2018.

Recreation Commission Idea Receives Discussion

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The Junction City Recreation Commission was discontinued in 2010. Is it time to bring it back?

The concept of forming a recreation commission comprised of representatives from different interests in the community drew brief discussion at a Geary County CVB Advisory Committee meeting this week, and the conversation was then carried over into a Junction City Commission meeting.

Allen Dinkel, City Manager, noted there have been some brief conversations about a city – school recreation commission, but there would be a cost…probably about three mills in taxes. “It’s one of those things that would be great to have, but it’ going to be a matter if you start a joint city – school recreation commission it’s probably going to include mill levy costs, and that’s just something the community has to decide.” Dinkel added he thinks there are a lot of organizations providing activities for youth and adults.

The budget challenge to the City for this type of venture was noted during the Commission’s discussion. The current city debt load was a factor, with Commissioner Pat Landes noting that when the City debt comes down it could be looked at again. Improvements have been made in reducing the debt  but that is still a work in progress.

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