Local – Page 530

Central Kansas Free Fair stampedes into town with fun

Posted on July 24, 2017

The parade is just one of many events taking place along with the Central Kansas Free Fair in Abilene August 2-6. This year’s parade theme is Trails, Rails and Tales and will take place August 3 at 4 pm. Photo by Ruth Nicolaus.

Abilene- When the Central Kansas Free Fair stampedes into town, it brings a load of fun and activities.

Abilene’s annual fair runs August 2-7 at Eisenhower Park, with grandstand entertainment each night and plenty to do during the day.

The first four nights of grandstand events are rodeo. August 2 features bull riding, bronc riding and barrel racing. Three nights of full rodeo action ensue, August 3-4-5, beginning at 7:30 pm each night.

The annual parade kicks off at 4 pm on August 3. This year’s theme is Trails, Rails and Tales, to coincide with the Chisholm Trail’s 150^thanniversary. LaDell Riffel has been selected as the grand marshal for this year’s parade. The Abilene woman has worked in the fair office for the last sixteen years, and her family has been involved with 4-H and beef cattle at the fair since the 1960s.

Following the parade, the Chapman FFA chapter will host a barbecue at the fairgrounds.

On Friday, August 4, the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo hosts its first round at the historic Shockey and Landes building from 8 am to 3 pm. The rodeo has its annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink night on August 4, with donations accepted for the Elsie Brooks Memorial Cancer Fund, which helps cancer patients in Dickinson County with financial needs.

Activities for Sat., August 5 include the final round of competition at the National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo from 8 to 2 pm, at the historic Shockey and Landes building, with a western music matinee from 4-5:30 pm. The Shoot-out Garden Tractor Pull is at 12 noon, and a dance and cheer entertainment show will be held at 1 pm. The cream pie eating contest is at 5 pm in the bandshell, and the ever popular weiner dog race is at 5:30. The race has an entry fee of $10, payable during registration at 5 pm. That evening at 7:30 pm the final night of the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo takes place.

Sunday, August 6 kicks off with a Community Cowboy Church Service, sponsored by New Trail Fellowship Church at 8:30 am at the Beef Show Barn, with music by Branded. At 12 noon, the Abilene shoot-out modified truck and tractor pull takes place, with the antique and classic tractors, trucks and semis at 12 noon and the NK Pullers at 1:30 pm.

At 1 pm on Sunday, preliminary competition for the talent show will be held, with the finals at 5:30 pm. New this year is a dog fashion show at 3 pm in the bandshell.

Grandstand entertainment for Sunday night is the demo derby at 7:30 pm.

On Monday, August 7, the “What’s it Worth” show, similar to Antiques Roadshow, takes place from 3-7 pm. There is a $5 entry fee for each item brought in, and participants are asked to pre-register their item by submitting a picture of it.

At 6:30 pm, the Youth Pedal Power Pull takes place, and the grandstand entertainment for the night is a demo derby at 7:30 pm.

Live music will be heard at the fair, with four different musical groups. Jon Stork will do an acoustic performance on August 3, the Brady Weston Band is August 4, and the August 5 band is Tammy Crosby from Herrington. The music shows begin at 8:30 pm each night and will be held on stage between the carnival and the vendors.

The Cow Pie Lottery, a fundraiser for the fair board’s entertainment committee, will be held each night before the rodeo. A local chain saw artist, Ted Houlton of Abilene, will be making chain saw art on the grounds and his items will be auctioned off on Sunday, to benefit the entertainment committee.

Medallion hunts for the kids and the adults will take place on August 3-5. Clues are posted each day at 1 pm at the information booth until the medallion is found.

Tickets to the grandstand entertainment are available online at www.CKFF.net, local area outlets, and at the gate. Tickets range in price from $7 for youth up to $13.

For more information on the fair, visit www.CKFF.net or the fair’s Facebook page (search for Central Kansas Free Fair). For more information on the rodeo, visit www.WildBillHickokRodeo.com or its Facebook page (search for Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo.)

Roberts, Jenkins, Kansas Delegation Introduce Bill to Award Senator Bob Dole the Congressional Gold Medal

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.) today introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate and House to award former Kansas U.S. Senator Robert J. Dole the Congressional Gold Medal in “recognition for his service to the nation as a soldier, legislator and statesman.” The legislation was co-sponsored by the entire Kansas delegation: U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Reps. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) and Ron Estes (R-Kan.).

Sen. Roberts said: “I can think of few people more deserving for a Congressional Gold Medal than Bob Dole. Bob is not only one of the country’s finest statesmen and Kansas’ favorite son, but he is also a friend, mentor and brother to me. He has served our country in countless ways, spending his whole life serving Kansas and the nation. From his days in Russell, Kansas, his service in World War II, and his dedication to spending his life as a public servant, Bob Dole embodies the American spirit.”

Rep. Jenkins said: “As a World War II veteran, public servant and prolific role model, Senator Dole is certainly deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. Senator Dole has spent his entire life serving Kansans and this great country. Additionally, after retiring from public office, he continued his important work to help our veterans get the care they deserve, curb child hunger and poverty and several other initiatives. Senator Dole is not only an American hero and true statesman, but he is a dear friend and someone I consider to be the ultimate embodiment of a true Kansan. I look forward to getting this bill through Congress and to the President’s desk.”

Sen. Moran said: “I am honored to call Senator Dole a friend and mentor. Americans know of the sacrifices he made on their behalf during WWII, and every Kansan knows that he’s been there for them every day since. Senator Dole has dedicated his entire life to public service and it’s hard to imagine anyone more deserving of the Congressional Gold Medal. Through his dedication to issues from veterans, to child education, to food aid across the world, he reminds us all that one person is capable of making meaningful changes to people’s lives with long-lasting effect.”

Rep. Marshall said: “Senator Bob Dole embodies what it means to be a public servant, a leader and a Kansan. I am proud to call him a friend, and I am humbled to bear the awesome responsibility of serving in the Congressional seat he one held. For as long as I can remember, Bob Dole has been a role model. Today, he is a mentor and continues as a shining example of international leadership. Beyond honoring a deserving patriot, I hope this award reminds my colleagues of leaders like Senator Dole, who never forgets the human impact of each decision, who truly works to serve the greater good, and who always remembers where he calls home – Russell, Kansas.”

Rep. Yoder said : “Senator Dole has spent his entire life serving Kansas and our nation. Service, sacrifice, statesmanship – these are the words that come to mind when you think of Senator Dole. He’s a larger than life figure in American politics, but he’s one of the kindest, funniest, and most humble men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I can think of no one more deserving of the recognition of Congress and the utmost respect of the American people than Bob Dole.”

Rep. Estes said: “Throughout his life-long service to our nation, Bob Dole has always shown tremendous humility and leadership. Senator Dole embodies what it means to be a Kansan, and his legacy will loom large for generations to come. Senator Bob Dole is truly an American hero.”

This legislation, the Bob Dole Congressional Gold Medal Act, if passed by the House and Senate, would award Sen. Dole with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. It is the most distinguished honor and the highest civilian honor given by the Congress.

A bipartisan group of Senator Dole’s former colleagues who remain in the Senate signed on to the legislation as original cosponsors. They include: Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Dick Shelby (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (Wash.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Orrin Hatch (Utah), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (Ore.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.).

Saturday marked Senator Dole’s 94^th birthday.

The full text of the legislation can he found here.

Kansas Gas Prices Flat, While Most of Nation Sees Increase

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

NEWS RELEASE

July 24, 2017 – Average prices at gas pumps across Kansas stayed the same this week, at $2.11/gallon, according to AAA Kansas, while across the country, 39 states saw prices increase on average by three cents – a major swing from last week when only nine states posted more expensive gas prices on the week. At $2.28, the national gas price is three cents more than a week ago, which is the largest seven-day increase since before Memorial Day.

“At 17 cents less than the national average, Kansas gas prices are 11th lowest in the country,” said AAA Kansas spokesman Shawn Steward.

“Whereas gas prices are higher than they’ve been at points this summer,” AAA’s Steward said, “we are still in a pretty good situation compared to the rest of America. And there are still bargains to be had. Motorists in 15 Kansas communities are enjoying average prices of $2 per gallon or less, and 160 Kansas cities are seeing gas prices at or below the statewide average.”

Of the 10 regularly reported Kansas cities (see chart below), half saw price increases in the past week, AAA Kansas notes. Salina led the way with an 8-cent increase. Average prices in four communities declined, led by Lawrence, which fell 8 cents per gallon.

This week’s Kansas cities with the state’s gas price extremes are:
HIGH: Kensington – $2.46
LOW: Galena – $1.93

	Today	Last Week	Last Month	Last Year	Change Over Last Year
National	$2.28	$2.25	$2.23	$2.17	5%
Kansas	$2.11	$2.11	$2.08	$2.03	4%
Emporia	$2.08	$2.05	$2.06	$2.02	3%
Garden City	$2.09	$2.05	$2.02	$2.06	1%
Hays	$2.12	$2.12	$2.12	$1.99	7%
KCK	$2.14	$2.17	$2.13	$2.06	4%
Lawrence	$2.14	$2.22	$2.14	$2.05	4%
Manhattan	$2.12	$2.14	$2.15	$2.03	4%
Pittsburg	$2.00	$1.99	$2.03	$1.89	6%
Salina	$2.09	$2.01	$2.10	$2.01	4%
Topeka	$2.10	$2.05	$2.12	$1.89	11%
Wichita	$2.08	$2.11	$1.99	$2.04	2%

Bordering states and rank in lowest gas prices around the country

State	Current Avg.	Rank Today	Last Week
Oklahoma	$2.04	4	5
Missouri	$2.07	8	10
Kansas	$2.11	11	12
Colorado	$2.27	29	28
Nebraska	$2.23	20	22

It’s Almost Election Time! – KJCK candidate forum to stream live on Facebook

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

1420 KJCK will host three candidate forums Tuesday, July 25th, Wednesday, July 26th, and Thursday, July 27th ahead of the August 1st primary election. The forums will air at 8:00 am each day with different candidates participating each morning.

In addition to the live radio coverage on 1420 KJCK, the forums will be live streamed on JC Post’s Facebook page.

Call in each morning between 8:00 am and 9:00 with questions for the candidates at 238-1420.

The forum schedule this week is as follows:

Tuesday, July 25th

Heinrich Biggs
Larry Ruiz

Wednesday, July 26th

Michael Gray
Bob Henderson

Thursday, July 27th

Jeff Underhill
Tim Brown
Nicholas Albritton

A complete list of the candidates can be found below:

Note: JC Post reached out to all candidates for comment/statements. All candidates have also been invited to participate in the candidate forums.

Candidate forums are sponsored by Coryell Insurors, The Pampered Pet, and the Geary County Clerk’s Office.

KDOT to close I-70 lanes in Junction City

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will be closing lanes on Interstate 70 in Junction City beginning Tuesday, July 25th.

The closure is for patching bridge approaches and departures. The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday – eastbound passing lane closed between mile marker 299 to 300
Wednesday – westbound driving lane closed between mile marker 300 to 299
Thursday – westbound passing lane closed between mile marker 300 to 299
Friday – westbound driving lane closed between mile marker 297 to 296

KDOT urges drivers to be alert, pay attention to work zone warning signs and slow down when approaching work zones.

GCHD hosting Back to School Physicals and Immunizations at Walmart this Friday

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

The Geary County Health Department (GCHD) will provide back school physicals, and administer immunizations on Friday, July 28th at the Walmart on Chestnut Street in Junction City.

The event will be from noon to 6:00 pm. Physicals are $50.

Nursing staff will be set up inside Walmart on the grocery side of the store completing physicals on a first come, first served basis.

If you are unsure of what vaccinations your children may need, there will be someone to review immunization records.

If you have questions contact the Health Department at 762-5788.

Kansas man sentenced to 30-years for bomb plot at Fort Riley

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

WASHINGTON – John T. Booker Jr., 22, of Topeka, Kan., was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison for attempting to detonate a vehicle bomb on the Fort Riley military base. On Feb. 3, 2016, Booker pleaded guilty to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and one count of attempted destruction of government property by fire or explosion, according to a media release from U.S. Attorney Tom Beall of the District of Kansas.

In his guilty plea, Booker admitted he intended to kill American soldiers and to assist ISIS’s (Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) fight against the U.S. His plan called for constructing a bomb containing 1,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Booker intended to trigger the bomb himself and die in the process, and filmed a video he intended Americans to see after his death.

“You sit in your homes and think this war is just over in Iraq,” Booker said in the video. “Today we will bring the Islamic State straight to your doorstep.”

Unbeknownst to Booker, the bomb that he constructed was made with inert materials, and the two men working with him were undercover informants for the FBI.

The FBI began investigating Booker in March 2014 after he posted on his Facebook page that he wanted to commit jihad. Booker admitted that he tried to enlist in the U.S. Army in order to commit an insider attack against American soldiers like the one at Fort Hood in Texas, but his deadly plans were thwarted when he was denied entry into the Army. In October 2014, Booker began communicating with an undercover FBI informant. He told the undercover FBI informant that he dreamed of being a fighter in the Middle East, and proposed capturing and killing an American soldier.

In March 2015, Booker was introduced to another FBI informant who he believed would help him plan an attack. Booker said he wanted to detonate a suicide bomb because he couldn’t be captured, all the evidence would be destroyed, and he would be guaranteed to hit his target. On March 10, 2015, Booker made a video filmed at Freedom Park near Marshall Army Airfield at Fort Riley in which he pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. That month, he rented a storage unit in Topeka where the bomb would be assembled.

On April 10, 2015, Booker and the informants drove to an area near Fort Riley that Booker believed to be a little-used utility gate where they could enter Fort Riley undetected. He was arrested when he made the final connections on the device that he believed would arm the bomb.

Mr. Boente and Mr. Beall commended the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force for their investigation of this case. They also thanked Assistant Trial Attorneys Josh Parecki and Rebecca Magnone of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi of the District of Kansas, who prosecuted this case.
——————–
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A man who has admitted he tried to set off what he thought was a bomb outside an Army post in Kansas to aid the Islamic State group is facing sentencing.

John Booker Jr., of Topeka, is scheduled to be sentenced Monday in federal court in Kansas City, Kansas. He pleaded guilty in February to trying to arm what he thought was a 1,000-pound (450-kilogram) bomb outside Fort Riley, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Topeka.

The plea agreement recommended a sentence of 30 years on one charge and 20 years on a second charged, to be served at the same time.

Booker plotted the bombing with two contacts who were confidential FBI sources. He acknowledged telling one of the sources that he wanted to kill Americans and participate in jihad.

JLUS project may apply more to Manhattan than Junction City

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

The Flint Hills Regional Council received an update on a Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) project during their monthly meeting in Alta Vista.

Ben Bennett, Geary County Commissioner, said that a completed and published JLUS study is a big concern if or when another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) occurs.

“What development we have [in Junction City] is over on our West side, and it’s not encroaching on Fort Riley boundaries, or Fort Riley territory; the only thing that might encroach upon us is the noise issue -and that’s not really a big issue with us here.”

The JLUS study is revealing that it may actually apply more to Manhattan than the Geary County/Junction city community.

“It is a problem for the West side of Manhattan,” said Bennett. “People keep trying to build on that side of Manhattan and Fort Riley is already established boundaries, and they’re trying to build right up next to that – we need to have a buffer area.”

Bennett added that the JLUS could apply on the South side of Fort Riley – as far as addressing a noise concern – as it crosses the threshold of Interstate 70.

2017 Geary County Free Fair Schedule

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

The Geary County Free Fair officially opened today at 1:00 pm with the 4-H Food and Food Preservation judging. The 4-H food sale began at 1:30 pm.

The fair runs from July 24th through 27th at the Fairgrounds located off of South Spring Valley Road.

Dewey Terrill, KJCK, will be broadcasting from the Geary County Free Fair Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The live reports on 1420 KJCK am radio will feature interviews with 4-Hers, Fair leaders, volunteers and Extension staff.

KJCK fair coverage is sponsored by Central National Bank, Coryell Insurors, Geary County Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau Insurance, Screen Machine Sports, Millennium Bank, Champions Car Wash and Sunflower Bank.

Geary County Free Fair Reports will air at the following times on July 25th, 26th and 27th: 9:18 a.m., 9:33 a.m., 9:46 a.m., 10:18 a.m., 10:33 a.m., 10:46 a.m., 11:18 a.m., 11:33 a.m. and 11:46 a.m.

A highlight of some of the Fair’s events can be found below:

Monday, July 24

4-H Food sale begins, 1:30 pm
Horse show, 7:00 pm
Pedal Pull, 7:30 pm

Tuesday, July 25

Goat Show, 4:00 pm
Beef show, 7:00 pm
JCFD Educational display
Face painting
Karaoke, 8:00 pm – sponsored by 4-H Ambassadors

Wednesday, July 26

Cat show, 1:30 pm
Water games, 3:30 pm – sponsored by 4-H Ambassadors
Sheep show, 6:00 pm
Swine show, 7:30 pm
Barnyard Olympics, following Swine show – sponsored by 4-H Ambassadors
Farm Bureau sponsored Story Time and Activity
face painting

Thursday, July 27

Milford Nature Center Display
BBQ and Watermelon Feed, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
4-H Project & Livestock Auction, 7:00 pm

Sheriff’s Deputies Help Find Lost Fisherman

Posted on July 24, 2017July 24, 2017

Geary County Sheriff’s Deputies responded late Sunday night to the Republican River on the north side of Junction City between Trooper Gate and Grant Gate for a man lost and possibly stuck on the river.

At 11:45 p.m. the man, identified by the Sheriff’s Department as Billy Leavins, 37, Junction City, was located on a sand bar, safe and uninjured.

Sheriff Tony Wolf confirmed the water in the river was low, and Deputies were able to walk out to him and help guide him back to shore. Leavens had been fishing when he became lost and called for assistance.

—

Deputies on patrol observed a damaged gate at Thunderbird Marina. It was determined that the damage was caused by an accident that had not been reported. The case is still under investigation.

—

Deputies responded to I-70 and Humboldt Creek Road for a single vehicle non-injury accident. Dana Bieling, Dwight, was traveling northbound in a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado when the vehicle struck a deer.