Local – Page 526

Future County Projects

Posted on July 29, 2017

The Geary County Commission has been discussing the waste disposal unit for Laurel Canyon in the northwestern part of the county.

Ben Bennett, Commission Chairman, reported that sewage system will have to be replaced in the future. “Preliminary discussions with the Corps of Engineers are under way. Again it will take us some time to get there.” Bennett added the first thing that needs to be accomplished is to satisfy an agreement with the Corps of Engineers. “And we’ve go to acquire some land we’ve got in mind that will still be Corps land that we can put the lagoon on.”

Bennett noted a couple of different areas have been identified, and commissioners looked at the site earlier this year. He noted the project will take some time, and will not be done this year or next year.

The County Commission also plans to replace the Conroe Bridge on Ascher Road over Clarks Creek in the future. The plan is to apply for some state funding to help with the project. Bennett reported that bridge replacement is also some time away, possible two years.

Newest Dollar General location celebrates Grand Opening

Posted on July 29, 2017

It was a grand opening indeed.

Customers lined up outside of Junction City’s newest Dollar General store on Saturday morning for the Grand Opening deals that began at 8:00 am.

Among the deals were gift cards to the first 50 shoppers, and Dollar General tote bags with free product samples.

Patti Hatley, Store Manager, said that the store has been open for about a week and a half now. “Once the word gets around that we’re here and we’re open [business will increase]; this side of town had nothing before so it really needed something so people don’t have to travel so far.”

Many of the customers at the Grand Opening lived within a few minutes of the store.

“We don’t have to travel to the other side of [town], I can just come right down the street less than two minutes from my house; it’s a really good thing for this neighborhood,” said Cherrelle Johnson, Junction City resident.

Hatley, Manager, hopes that this new store will be the first step in more development along Grant Avenue. “I grew up out here in the 70s and 80s and we had grocery stores, and stores, and A&W Drive-In; and I went away for 20 years and come back and I was like ‘what happened’, it’s all gone from this side of town and I think it needs to come back.”

This is the third Dollar General store in Junction City.

Traditional stores employ approximately six to ten people.

VIDEO: Sen. Moran Urges Colleagues to Support Vital Veterans Choice Program

Posted on July 28, 2017July 28, 2017

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies – spoke on the Senate floor this week regarding the importance of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Choice program in helping veterans access healthcare in their communities nationwide.

“One of the most important ways we honor our nation’s heroes is by following through on our commitment to providing the benefits they deserve, including access to timely, quality healthcare,” said Sen. Moran following his remarks. “Unfortunately, we find ourselves in a situation where a program – the Veterans Choice program – designed to increase veterans’ access to care is in danger of running out of funds far sooner than anticipated. This is a result of the program’s success. Veterans want Choice, they need Choice and the program is working. We must act so that the VA does not let them down by ending the Choice program and shuttering the network of community providers who offer this critical care.

“In 2014, I urged my colleagues to support Choice, and now I again urge my colleagues to support a program veterans like, need and deserve,” Sen. Moran continued. “We owe them better, which is why I am once again partnering with Senator McCain to put funds back into the Choice Program, making certain that our veterans do not experience a lapse in care. The Senate must act.”

In 2014, Congress passed the Choice Act in the wake of the wait time scandals in Phoenix, Ariz. and at VA locations nationwide. The Choice program empowers veterans to access healthcare in their own communities rather than adding hours of driving to VA facilities to their lists of hurdles in receiving the medical attention they need. The program was originally set to expire on August 7th, 2017. Earlier this year, however, the VA indicated to Congress that there would be more than $1 billion remaining to fund this program and estimated these funds would last until January of 2018. Rather than letting these funds expire, Sen. Moran joined U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), along with Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, respectively, and others in introducing legislation to remove this sunset date and extend the Veterans Choice Program for veterans until the program’s funds were expended. This legislation was signed into law on April 19th.

On June 7th, 2017, the VA indicated that demand for Choice had increased at an unanticipated rate and program funds were rapidly depleting. In an attempt to extend the program, the VA issued guidance to limit the use of Choice by VA medical centers. Sen. Moran called on Secretary Shulkin to withdraw this guidance, urging him to work with Congress to find a solution. On June 21st, Sen. Moran convened a hearing with Sec. Shulkin, who explained the VA’s inaccurate cost projections and budget shortfall in the Veterans Choice Program. The Secretary agreed that the VA requires additional funding to continue the Veterans Choice Program and serve veterans who rely on care in their communities.

Video of Sen. Moran’s questioning of Sec. Shulkin can be found here. His remarks on the Senate floor can be viewed here.

JCPD arrest report

Posted on July 28, 2017July 28, 2017

In the 24 hour on Thursday, July 27th the Junction City Police Department (JCPD) responded to 136 calls for service, issued 26 citations, and made 36 arrests.

Officers report the arrest of two individuals for alleged shoplifting at 521 East Chestnut Street. Nineteen year old Katlyn Barnes of Winnemuca, NV and eighteen year old Meghan Rawson, Jamesville, CA, were arrested just after 4:00 pm.

Officers also report the arrest of two individuals for alleged domestic battery at 1810 Caroline Avenue. Blaine Edward Hand, 20, and Sandra Veronica Hand, 18, were arrested at approximately 3:15 am.

Two schools to participate in ‘Kansans Can School Redesign’ program

Posted on July 28, 2017July 28, 2017

The USD 475 Board of Education has authorized staff to submit an application for the Kansans Can School Redesign program.

The application would be for Junction City High School and Westwood Elementary School.

Dr. Ferrell Miller, Board President, said that they are taking the recommendations from the two schools to get involved in the program that comes from the State Board of Education.

“Teachers had to meet, get the explanation, ask questions and then vote on whether or not they were interested in getting involved with this; the percentages at Westwood was 100 percent of their staff were in agreement that it was something that they wanted to be involved in, and it was a high 90 percent of the high school faculty to voted to go ahead and be a part of this program.”

Miller said that the program is an opportunity for the schools to plug into five focus areas that the State Department of Education designed for all schools. The focus areas are social and emotional growth, kindergarten readiness, individual plans of study for each student, high school graduation rates and post secondary completion of attendance.

“The design of this is to set up an individual plan of study for each and every student and to have an advisory staff to help them meet those goals and be prepared for their future.”

The application has to be submitted by August 1st – Tuesday.

Chamber provides a ‘layer of insulation’ between husband and wife – Chamber CEO speaks on ‘potential conflict of interest’

Posted on July 28, 2017March 14, 2018

by: DeAngela McDougald

Dennis Beson, Chamber of Commerce CEO, is speaking out about the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (CVB) involvement in a Consolidated Chamber of Commerce.

County Commissioners voted 2 to 1 to give notice to the Chamber of their intention to withdraw from the Consolidated Chamber of Commerce Master Agreement at the end of the year. The County has cited declining transient guest tax revenues – which is the money source for the CVB – as one of their reasons for issuing the withdrawal notice.

Beson expressed his concern regarding the County’s withdrawal notice. “Part of the problem with this is that there is a lot of ‘he said, she said’, it’s been a lot of implied things, it’s been very difficult to ascertain all the answers; one of the problems I think I’m struggling with personally – and not necessarily reflective of the Chamber of Commerce – is the potential conflict of interest in the 2 to 1 vote.”

Voting for the notice of withdrawal were County Commissioners Keith Ascher and Charles Stimatze. Beson said that the Chamber provides a buffer between the CVB and the County.

“The Chamber provides a layer of insulation between Commissioner Stimatze and Michele Stimatze (CVB Director); if this particular CVB is pulled apart you’ll have a direct connection – even though there still could be an advisory committee or a board – it certainly brings it one step closer to being a direct report, husband and wife.”

Implying a conflict of interest, Beson said that ‘it’s hard to imagine how there can’t be some sort of conflict there.’

Beson hired Michele Stimatze as CVB Director in April of this year, despite his current implications of a ‘potential conflict of interest.’ At the time of her hiring, Beson stated, in part: “The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce advertised this position both on a State and National level. After several initial phone interviews our selection committee interviewed three candidates. It was clear that Michele Stimatze was the best choice for the promotion and development of our Convention and Visitors Bureau.”

JC Post contacted County Counselor Steve Opat, who represents the County Commissioners, and he said that his “duty is counsel to the Board of Geary County Commissioners” and he had no comment.

Chamber and County officials have until December 31st to come to an agreement. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors approved a motion to hold a tentative August 9th public meeting with City, Chamber and County officials to discuss the master agreement under the consolidated chamber and to educate all parties on the financials of the CVB under the Chamber of Commerce.

John Robert Greene Lunch and Learn Program

Posted on July 28, 2017

ABILENE, Kan. – Author John Robert Greene will share the story of the 1952 presidential election during the next Lunch and Learn program at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. This free public program begins at noon on Friday, Aug. 4, in the Visitors Center Auditorium and will include a light lunch as part of the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation Speaker Series.

Published in March 2017, I Like Ike analyzes the 1952 presidential race in its entirety. The book is a compelling account of how an America fearful of a Communist threat elected a war hero and brought an end to 20 years of Democratic control of the White House. It also makes a timely and persuasive case for the importance of the 1952 election, not only to the Eisenhower administration, but also to the development of presidential politics well into the future.

Greene has taught at Cazenovia (N.Y.) College for the past 37 years. His teaching and writing specialty lies in American political history, particularly the American presidency. He has written or edited 18 books. In 1993, Greene was named Distinguished Faculty Member, and in 2000 he was awarded Cazenovia College’s first endowed chair.

Following the program, Greene will be available to sign copies of I Like Like–The Presidential Election of 1952, available for purchase in the Presidential Gift Shop.

A galaxy of shows: McCain’s Open House and Single Ticket Sales Launch Party July 30; save 20 percent on some attractions

Posted on July 28, 2017July 27, 2017

MANHATTAN — Get ready to place your order for tickets to some of the biggest names and shows in entertainment as part of the McCain Open House and Single Ticket Sales Launch Party on Sunday, July 30, at Kansas State University’s McCain Auditorium.

As a bonus, it will be Super Saver Sunday and everyone’s invited to save 20 percent off regularly priced adult tickets to select McCain events for the coming year. The savings are available on a wide variety of shows: Parsons Dance, “Creedence Clearwater Revisited,” The B-52s, “My Father’s Dragon,” Flint Hill Children’s Choir, “Swan Lake” by the Russian National Ballet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet, “Hamlet” and “Sense and Sensibility” by the Aquila Theatre, Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Tao’s “Drumheart” and jazz sensation Kenny G.

Single tickets to McCain at the Wareham Opera House presentations of the Bumper Jacksons and the “One-Man Star Wars Trilogy” can be purchased with the 20 percent discount on Super Saver Sunday, too.

Also available at regular prices will be single tickets to some of Broadway’s hottest shows — “Dirty Dancing,” “Jersey Boys,” “The Sound of Music,” “Kinky Boots” and more — and entertainment giants, including Paula Poundstone, John Cleese and David Sedaris, along with seasonal favorites “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas” by Chip Davis.

Doors open at 1 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and watch a video preview of the upcoming McCain season. Show your completed ticket order form — download in advance at k-state.edu/mccain or pick up a copy at the open house — to get your number for McCain’s “take-a-number” ticket-ordering system.

The box office opens at 2 p.m., with the last chance to get a number at 3:30 p.m. Online sales of single tickets also will begin at 2 p.m. July 30, but you must be present at the event to get the 20 percent discount. Phone orders will not be taken on July 30.

The 20 percent discount is only available at the Super Saver Sunday Open House. While the 20 percent discount applies to regular-price tickets only, Kansas State University students and kids 18 and under always receive a 50 percent discount for most McCain Performance Series shows.

Remaining single tickets will be available at the McCain box office from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., by phone at785-532-6428 or online at k-state.edu/mccain beginning Monday, July 31.

14th case linked to serial rapists; $10K reward offered

Posted on July 28, 2017July 27, 2017

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say a serial rapist who remains on the loose after attacking more than a dozen women in two Kansas college towns has been tied to another case.

Police in Riley County and Lawrence announced during a joint news conference Thursday that a July 2015 attempted rape in Manhattan is the latest case linked to the unidentified suspect. The man also is suspected in 12 other rapes and one other attempted rape from 2000 to 2008.

Authorities are urging other women who may have been victimized to come forward. Police say all but one of the attacks occurred during school breaks at Kansas State and the University of Kansas. Officials have said the suspect is usually armed.

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest.

Former Soldier Sentenced for Child Abuse at Fort Riley

Posted on July 28, 2017July 27, 2017

TOPEKA, KAN. – A former Army soldier was sentenced Thursday to 17 years in federal prison for child abuse, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Eugene Cleaver, 30, Bonham, Texas, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual abuse. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he was stationed at Fort Riley where he lived with four minor females and their parents. He received free room and board in exchange for caring for the children and the house. After the children were removed from their parents’ home and placed in foster care, investigators learned that Cleaver had molested the children and warned them not to say a word or he would get into trouble.

Beall commended the U.S. Army, Criminal Investigation Division, the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Robin Graham and Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney.