Local – Page 552

Manhattan man held on $100K bond for numerous sex crimes

Posted on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged multiple sex crimes.

Just after 9 a.m. Thursday, police arrested Ryan James Mcallister, 36, Manhattan, in the 3000 Block of Tuttle Creek Boulevard.

He is being held in the Riley County jail on requested charges including “1 count of Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sodomy; Person/Animal Force, 3 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy; Person/Animal Force and 35 counts of Aggravated Indecent Liberties w/Child; Fondling,” according to the Friday booking report from police.

Mcallister is being held on $100,000 bond. Police released no additional details.

K-State to Add Enhanced Security Screening at Football/Basketball Home Events

Posted on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State Athletics will implement enhanced security screening at all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games beginning in 2017-18 in order to comply with the state’s concealed carry gun law as an exemption previously provided to universities expires today.

“This law has been in effect but universities had a four-year exemption to plan and put policies and procedures in place before the law affected the campuses,” said Casey Scott, senior associate athletics director for operations and event management. “That exemption expires on July 1, and we have made the decision that we will restrict weapons allowed into our athletics events in Bill Snyder Family Stadium and Bramlage Coliseum.”

As the department continues to provide a safe environment for all its fans, state law requires that in order to prohibit concealed carry on campus all public entrances must contain adequate security measures. K-State Athletics has purchased portable metal detectors to be installed at the public entrances to Bill Snyder Family Stadium beginning this football season and at Bramlage Coliseum for all men’s and women’s basketball games. In addition, appropriate armed officers and additional staff will be on hand to assist with the new equipment and screening procedures, as required by law.

Under state law, concealed carry may be restricted in areas where the university has established temporary adequate security measures (ASMs) or restricted access entrances.

The open carry of firearms on K-State campuses is not allowed. It is a violation of Kansas State University and Kansas Board of Regents policy to openly display any handgun in any campus building or on campus grounds. The only exceptions are for commissioned law enforcement officers and participants who use weapons as part of board-approved programs or university activities, with the advance written approval of the K-State Police Department.

K-State began the process of increasing its security procedures this past season with the implementation of a clear bag policy for all ticketed athletic events. A slight change in this policy will be applied in 2017-18 to increase the size of clutch bags allowed into athletics facilities to 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches. More information about K-State Athletics’ clear bag policy can be found at www.kstatesports.com/page/bagpolicy.

As the football season nears, K-State Athletics will provide more details regarding the security screening and tips for fans to prepare for the new measures.

Updated: Lightning believed to be cause of early morning fire in Chapman

Posted on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

UPDATE:

City Administrator John Dudte confirmed that there were no injuries from the fire.

Dudte informed JC Post that a police officer on duty noticed a significant lightning strike and soon after a passerby called 911 reporting significant smoke coming from the residence.

Dudte noted that neighbors of the 114 E Second Street residence reported electrical system damages related to lightning.

—

Dickinson County Fire Department 1 (DKFD1) was called to assist the Chapman City Fire Department on a house fire at 114 E Second Street early Friday morning.

It is believed that lightning struck the home, causing the fire, according to Paul Froelich, DKFD1 Chief.

The occupants were not home at the time and the fire was reported by a passerby at 3:40 am.

DKFD1 responded with a rescue unit and 2 trucks. District 1 made entry and extinguished the fire.

JC Post will update this story as more information becomes available.

AG Derek Schmidt: New law will protect military consumers from scams

Posted on June 30, 2017June 29, 2017

TOPEKA – (June 2017) – A new Kansas law will stiffen penalties for scammers who prey on members of the military, according to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.

Effective July 1, members of the military have been added to the definition of “protected consumer” in the Kansas Consumer Protection Act. This definition has previously included veterans and immediate family members of members of the military, along with elder and disabled persons, but not service personnel themselves.

If a violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act is found to have occurred against a consumer fitting one of these descriptions, the court may impose a penalty of up to $20,000 for each violation, double the usual $10,000 maximum penalty.

“With three major military bases in our state and thousands of Kansans serving in the National Guard and Reserves, this is a positive change to help protect those who are protecting us,” Schmidt said. “Scammers who want to take advantage of members of the military should be warned that we are watching for them, and this new law will help strengthen our ability to punish those who try to prey on service personnel.”

The new law, which Schmidt supported, was unanimously adopted by the Kansas Legislature earlier this year as Senate Bill 201.

Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency hires new Operations Program Coordinator

Posted on June 30, 2017June 29, 2017

NEWS RELEASE

The Flint Hills Area Transportation Agency has hired Anna Findley to be the Agency’s Operations Program Coordinator.

This position provides direct road supervision and oversight of fixed route, complementary paratransit, and general demand response services. Findley will also be responsible for assisting the senior administrative staff with on-going quality and performance assurance strategies as well as the implementation of performance based measures established by MAP-21.

Prior to joining aTa Bus, Findley served for the last seven years as the Transportation Division Manager at ACCESS Public Transportation/DSNWK in Hays, Kansas. There she was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations that included managing a fleet of 120 vehicles. She has also served as the Vice-Chair for the Kansas Public Transit Association and the President of the Coordinated Transit District #8.

“Anna will be an outstanding addition to our team, we are very lucky to have her re-locate to the Flint Hills region.” said Anne Smith aTa Bus Executive Director.

Structure fire causes $100,000 in damage, one firefighter treated for minor injury

Posted on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

A fire just before 11:00 am Thursday, June 29th has caused $100,000 in damage. The Junction City Fire Department (JCFD) responded to 407 W 2nd Street for a reported structure fire.

Arriving units found smoke coming from the attic area and utilized a thermal imaging camera to find a hot area in the corner of an upstairs bedroom. After opening the ceiling they found heavy fire throughout the entire attic.

Firefighters used forced ventilation to vertically push smoke and heated gases out of the structure.

One firefighter was treated at Geary Community Hospital for a bite from a dog that the firefighter rescued during operations. He was released for duty later that day.

After an investigation by the JCFD and State of Kansas Fire Marshal’s Office the fire was determined to be accidental.

UPDATED: Severe Thunderstorm Warning CANCELLED–Severe Thunderstorm WATCH in effect

Posted on June 30, 2017June 30, 2017

1:05 am

…THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL DICKINSON…GEARY…
SOUTH CENTRAL RILEY AND NORTHWESTERN MORRIS COUNTIES IS CANCELLED…

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.
Therefore the warning has been cancelled. However gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 500 AM CDT for
central and east central Kansas.

————

12:44AM:

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
Central Dickinson County in central Kansas…Geary County in east central Kansas…
South central Riley County in northeastern Kansas…Northwestern Morris County in east central Kansas…

* Until 130 AM CDT

* At 1244 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Enterprise,
moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage
to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near,
Chapman and Woodbine around 100 AM CDT.
Junction City around 115 AM CDT.
Grandview Plaza around 120 AM CDT.
Dwight around 130 AM CDT.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 269 and 310.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

12:31AM:

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM CDT
FOR DICKINSON COUNTY

At 1230 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from near Niles to near Carlton, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated. A wind gust of 68 mph was measured at
Salina from this storm shortly after midnight.

IMPACT…Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.

These severe storms will be near…
Abilene around 1240 AM CDT.
Talmage and Moonlight around 1245 AM CDT.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 288.

——————

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… Dickinson County in central Kansas…Until 1245 AM CDT

At 1211 AM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Bennington to 3 miles east of Assaria, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD…60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Automated surface observation site. A gust of 64 mph was
measured at Salina.

IMPACT…Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

This includes Interstate 70 between mile markers 267 and 288.

Barbara Downey, Wamego, Testifies Before Senate Ag Committee on Conservation in the Farm Bill

Posted on June 29, 2017June 29, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a hearing today of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Barbara Downey, owner of Downey Ranch, Wamego, Kan. testified about conservation priorities in the Farm Bill at the invitation of Chairman Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan. The hearing was titled, “Conservation and Forestry: Perspectives on the Past and Future Direction for the 2018 Farm Bill.”

“I was pleased to have Mrs. Downey’s testimony and to listen to her support for voluntary conservation programs,” Roberts said. “She and her husband Joe have implemented many innovative conservation practices in their ranching operation and they are an excellent example of the great lengths our producers go to be good stewards of our natural resources.”

Barbara Downey, owner of Downey Ranch, Wamego, Kan. testifies before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry in Washington, DC.

In her testimony before the committee Downey said, “The main point I’d like you all to take away from this hearing is that the ‘voluntary’ part of the conservation programs is what truly makes it work for ranchers. We’ve had success using some of these conservation programs, but just because this system works for us does not mean it’s right for everybody. Its important that we keep these programs funded to safeguard their continued success, and above all else – these programs must stay voluntary. A one-size fits all approach that accompanies top-down regulation does not work in my industry. If these programs were to become mandatory, the rules and regulations that farmers and ranchers would be subjected to would make it harder for them to utilize the unique conservation practices that help their individual operations thrive.”

For Audio and Video of Downey’s testimony go here.

Click here to watch Chairman Roberts’ opening statement.

This marks the fifth hearing in preparation for the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization.

EDC Director talks retail, promoting Junction City

Posted on June 29, 2017

“There are a ton of opportunities in this community, and you have a lot of assets.”

Economic Development Commission Director Mickey Fornaro-Dean said when most people think of economic development they think retail.

“Smithfield has a huge facility on the corner of town, Foot locker; but everybody everyday drives and sees the retail shops or the restaurants,” said Dean. “I’ve been talking to members of the community about what can we do to support retail holistically – that’d be supporting each other if there’s smaller entrepreneurs in retail that need some advice or assistance all the way up to what do we want to look for to recruit that’s missing in the community.”

Fornaro-Dean said that “retail is a critical mass industry” and “when you have more people asking for it and staying and shopping” then more retail starts to build.

Growing the population of the community and bringing more jobs add to the “layering effect” of economic development – one layer promotes or makes way for the other.

“Now the challenge those opportunities and those assets and building on those to create the opportunities that can come our way.”

Fornaro-Dean noted that Junction City will have a full page ad and investment profile in the Made in the Heart of America magazine which is geared toward site selectors or individuals representing companies look for new locations, expansions or moves.

Milford Lake Blue Green Algae Status

Posted on June 29, 2017

The Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake have announced that the Kansas Department of Health & Environment results from lake samples taken on Monday, June 26th have been received.

This week due to high BG Algae cell counts the following status is in effect:

Zone A – Watch
Zone B – Watch
Zone C – Warning – Contact with lake water should be avoided.

“Warning” indicates that blue green algae is present at a level considered unsafe for people and animals. Contact with lake water should be avoided. Boating on the lake is allowed during a warning.

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

The designated swim beaches at the Corps of Engineers and Milford State Park are open.