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Roberts Announces Bill to Improve Veterans’ Education Benefits Passes Senate

Posted on August 5, 2017August 5, 2017

Senator Pat Roberts stated Friday that bipartisan legislation including his provision expanding access to G. I. Bill funds to veterans pursuing degrees in agriculture and natural resource sciences has passed the Senate. The legislation, introduced by Veterans Committee Chairman Senator Johnny Isakson was named in honor of Emporia, Kansas, native and Army veteran Harry W. Colmery.

Roberts stated, “We need to bolster our workforce with those trained in agriculture sciences and in natural resource sciences.The demand for these skill sets is there. If we can help our veterans study these sciences, they can be a part of this growing economy.”

The legislation provides makes update for reservists, Purple Heart recipients, veterans who face school closures while enrolled, and surviving family members. It also provides increased resources and authority for educational assistance to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM ) programs, computer programming and career technical training.

Roberts requested the inclusion of the additional sciences following testimony before the Agriculture Committee by Dr. John Floros, Kansas State University’s Dean of Agriculture and Director of K-State Research and Extension. FLoros said: “We support initiatives to enhance the number of students selecting agriculture and related disciplines for their university training. We encourage the Committee to explore avenues to that the next Farm Bill can raise national awareness of and authorization to begin to tackle this challenge of worldwide food security. ”

Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Moran Reports on Effort to Encourage Army to Expand Number of Brigades at Fort Riley

Posted on August 4, 2017August 4, 2017

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran said Friday there have been conversations in which the Army is being pushed to expand the number of troop brigades at Fort Riley.

Moran told a Town Hall meeting audience in Junction City that the brigades the Army is looking would be tank and assist brigades. “The Army is expanding. NDAA ( proposed National Defense Authorization Act ) will increase the end strength for our military, and will allow for additional brigades to be placed across the country. At military installations the question will become is Fort Riley one of those places that gains from another brigade, and perhaps two.”

Moran told JCPost he thought officials would know if it is going happen by the end of the year, but he did not know how long it would then take the Army to reach the necessary end strength up to the size needed to provide the personnel for the brigades.

Moran informed the audience for the meeting at the American Legion Post 45 home that there is no language in the proposed bill as it came out of the Armed Services Committee that requires a BRAC ( base realignment and closure ). “But there is still a lot of push by the Department of Defense for a BRAC to occur sometime in the future. And again we want Fort Riley to be in a position to have nothing but success in a round of BRAC.”

Moran noted that people still remember the 4,000-plus people that the environmental assessment during the last round of Army troop number reductions, and this area is known for hospitals, schools and housing.

Chase Ends with One Arrest

Posted on August 4, 2017

Grandview Plaza Police reported that they clocked a vehicle speeding at 111 miles per hour in a 75 mile per hour zone on I-70 near mile marker 299 at 2:32 a.m. Friday. The location is just east of Grandview Plaza.

Police stated a traffic stop was attempted but the vehicle fled when an officer walked up to it. A chase ensued and lasted for several minutes. The suspect was apprehended behind the Budget Host Motel in Junction City. There were no injuries and no damage to private property.

Police reported that the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Kamal Fajri, was arrested on suspicion of Fleeing and Eluding, Reckless Driving, Speeding, Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer, Driving While License Suspended, DUI, and Transporting an Open Container. He was booked into the Geary County Detention Center and held in lieu of a court appearance.

Princeton Review ranks Kansas State University, Manhattan relationship No.1

Posted on August 4, 2017August 4, 2017

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University has again been recognized as one of the nation’s top undergraduate college experiences.

The Princeton Review ranked Kansas State University No. 1 for great town-gown relations in the 2018 edition of “The Best 382 Colleges.” The university was ranked in 15 categories — nine of which are in Top 10. These rankings and many like them reinforce a view that K-State offers a superior undergraduate experience, according to Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students.

“K-State students continue to enjoy several Top 10 rankings in value and quality, which is why many believe K-State offers the best undergraduate experience in America today,” Bosco said.

In addition to the No. 1 town-gown ranking, the university is No. 2 for best athletic facilities, No. 3 for best quality of life, No. 3 for students pack the stadiums, No. 6 for happiest students, No. 6 for students who love their colleges, No. 6 for best health services, No. 7 for best-run colleges, No. 8 for everyone plays intramural sports, No. 16 for best career services and No. 19 for best college dorms.

“These national rankings reflect decades of quality and value provided by K-State’s talented and caring faculty, academic advisers and student life staff,” Bosco said. “Supported by a family-like atmosphere, K-State’s numerous leadership and volunteer opportunities help students round out their academic career. In addition, the many undergraduate research programs available give students a competitive advantage in the job market, which is one reason we have a 94 percent job placement rate.”

In the last 10 years, the university also has had high rankings in many national and regional publications, including most recently Business Insider, Money Magazine, SmartAsset, College Choice, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ economic prosperity designation, Wall Street Journal and Travel + Leisure, as well as many other discipline-specific rankings.

The Princeton Review, an education services company, surveyed more than 137,000 college students to rank schools in 62 categories. The book identifies the Top 20 schools in each category.

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United Fundraising Campaign to Kick Off September 1

Posted on August 4, 2017

The Junction City – Geary County United Way will kick off their annual fundraising campaign Friday, September 1 at Al Simpler Stadium. That’s also opening night for Blue Jay football.

According to United Way Executive Director Nicole Mahder there will be a raffle, sideline coaching opportunity prizes and autographed memorabilia. The campaign will run until December 31.

One new feature this year will involve United Way students in the schools.

United Way efforts to obtain school supplies for needy students in Geary USD 475 and Saint Xavier schools also continues Friday ( August 4 ) evening at Walmart on East Chestnut Street. You can donate school supplies or funds from 5 – 8 p.m.

Sheriff’s Department Completes Death Investigation

Posted on August 3, 2017

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has released the findings into the investigation and autopsy for Alejandro Jonathan Franquiz. According to Brian Hornaday, Captain of Investigations, Franquiz died from the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was a staff sergeant assigned to Fort Riley at the time of his death.

A Sheriff’s Deputy located a vehicle parked on Interstate 70 at mile marker 311 at the east bound off-ramp at 12:14 a.m. Monday, July 31st. Franquiz, 30, was found deceased inside the vehicle. An autopsy was ordered and has now been completed.

Blue Green Algae Test Results at Milford Lake

Posted on August 3, 2017

The Corps of Engineers has released the test results from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for blue green algae at Milford Lake.

The north end of the reservoir, Zone C, has been placed in a warning status. The middle portion or Zone B is clear and the southern end of the lake, or Zone A, is in a watch status. The designated swim beaches in Zone A at the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park will remain open.

Lake users are reminded that blue green algae may appear or disappear suddenly and move as the wind shifts. Boaters should use caution and move to a clear portion of the lake.

The current lake elevation is 1,143.48 feet, about 92-hundredths of a foot low. Outflows have been reduced by the Corps to 25 cubic feet per second and will allow the lake elevation to gradually increase to one foot over normal to 1,145.4.

Sheriff’s Deputies Work Two Accidents

Posted on August 3, 2017

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies responded to two accidents.

–Deputies worked a single vehicle accident on K-57 Highway at mile marker 18. Marc Toomey, Herington, was driving a 2004 Harley Davidson Electric Glide when a cow entered the roadway. Toomey was unable to avoid striking the animal. The accident was reported at 9:53 p.m. Wednesday

–Deputies responded at 12:03 a.m. Thursday to K-57 Highway mile marker 21 for a single vehicle accident. Dominick Anderson, Dwight, was driving a 1993 Chevrolet Blazer. Dominick stated the vehicle lost power and he could not steer it. The Chevrolet Blazer went off the roadway striking an old limestone building.