Geary Community Hospital is pleased to announce Rachel Moore, Practice Management, as the Employee of the Quarter. Rachel has been an employee at GCH for 12 years and a key player since day one.
Moore began working in the Nutrition Services department and then moved to Patient Access where she was one of the best registrars. From there, Moore transferred to Practice Management, working as an administrative assistant in the Flint Hills Surgical Clinic.
RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Manhattan are using social media to calm fears after recent weeks of violent crime.
The Riley County Police Department wrote “We’ve had a noteworthy couple of weeks here in Manhattan. A murder, attempted murder, and shooting have left many on edge. We hear you, and understand your fear, anger, and confusion. We have made an arrest in the murder, and have suspects in the other 2 cases. Please be patient, as these investigations can take a long time to be conducted properly.”
On May 25, police arrested 38-year-old Steven Harris and his girlfriend for an alleged murder in Manhattan. They were found in a Wichita motel.
On June 15, police found a man in the 1000 Block of Fremont Street with critical stab wounds.
On Sunday June 18, police reported a shooting at Blue Hills Shopping Center in Manhattan. Two people were wounded. Neither required hospitalization.
Police said, “We have heard those seeking for ways to protect themselves and their communities. The answer, while not glamorous, has been shown to be effective. Get in the habit of locking the doors of your vehicles and houses, and if you see something, say something.
If you know someone who has been talking about hurting others, has shown a propensity for violence, or if you’ve seen a violent act that you know hasn’t been reported to police, give us a call. These actions tend to lead to more violence, and the cycle continues and escalates. In nearly all cases of violent crimes, the victims are known to each other. In many past instances, here and nationally, people described a troubling pattern of escalation but never reported it, until it was too late. Help us break that cycle.
We will continue to protect and serve the citizens of Riley County, and keep it a place that people are proud to call home.”
The Junction City Police Department will conduct a DUI Saturation Patrol on Friday, June 23rd and 24th. The patrol will be overnight Friday into Saturday.
Police Chief Dan Breci said that “there will be five additional patrol cars on the streets to detect and deter drunk driving.”
The patrols are designed to identify intoxicated drivers. Motorists that are stopped for traffic violations who are suspected of intoxication will be given on-site field sobriety tests. Confirmed impaired drivers will be arrested.
“The purpose of these patrols is not to harass motorists, but to increase overall motorists safety,” said Breci.
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Five members of the Geary County Sheriff’s Department were honored for their heroism during a County Commission meeting today.
Lieutenant David Gilbert and Deputy Derek Charles assisted an unresponsive woman who passed out in a field near a grass fire in the Old Highway 40, Taylor Road area.
“The reason I took this job was to help people, so my main concern was to make sure that she was okay and that she was alive and breathing and to immediately render aid to her in whichever way I could,” said Deputy Derek Charles.
Lt. Gilbert said that you can’t allow yourself to freeze in stressful or intense moments.
“We had to spray water to douse down the flames around her, and then get extra help to get her up on her feet,” said Gilbert. “She was physically impaired at the time, so we had to get the hose off the truck, pull it and keep the flames down while we got her into another area safe away from the flames.”
The incident occurred a month ago.
In a similar incident – involving fire – Sergeant Eric St. John, Deputy Clint Arnold, and Deputy Nate Clement were honored for their heroism during the massive Bluffs apartment fire in April.
There was a moment during the search and rescue effort that Deputy Clement recalled everyone being on edge. “For quite a while there after we evacuated the building there was one person that was missing and you could tell it was bothering all of us; and then when we finally found out that [he] was located in a different residence it was a huge relief to all of us.”
“A lot of people run away from the things we have to run toward,” said St. John. “Our job is just to save lives…that’s our biggest honor is making sure people get out alive.”
Deputy Arnold echoed similar sentiments. “With the flames and the smoke it could have turned out [bad]; I’m just glad no one in the building was hurt and none of [the Deputies] were hurt.”
All five men that were honored received framed certificates of honor, a pen, and a challenge coin from the Sheriff’s Department. Challenge coins are issued similar to Military coins to award good merit.
Regional economic development was a focus for the Flint Hills Regional Council (FHRC) during their June 16th meeting in Alma.
Jim Sands, City Commissioner, reported that the sharing of ideas and prospects has been occurring. Local leaders are following advice from the Leader’s Retreat this past Winter.
“[They talked] about how we all needed to get along; and they’re still working together, doing things to help other communities,” said Sands. “They’re still trying to hang tight with their own communities, but when they don’t have a particular business possibility they [now] refer that to another community rather than saying we don’t have it in this area.”
Sands noted that jobs are also increased by working together.
“[We] have to talk [to each other] to bring business to Kansas – not just one area – bring it to Kansas and then it’s up to them working together to try and bring that to whichever other area.”
The FHRC meeting was attended by community leaders from Geary, Riley, Morris, Pottawatomie, Chase, Lyon and Wabaunsee counties.
The proposed sports complex project is still on hold – as reported last month by JC Post, the desire to acquire land to bring the idea to fruition is no longer at the top of the list.
Eddie Reeder, Project Manager, visited the JC Post newsroom inside the KJCK studios to provide an update on the effort.
“Without any land or any current prospects of land, we’re kind of at a standstill,” said Reeder. “So, what we’re doing is looking at doing is possibly providing some renovations to our current facilities and using those facilities to produce sports tourism.”
Current facilities available include are limiting in the type of “sports tourism” that Junction City will be able to offer. The proposed complex would have consisted of several multi-purpose fields to host several different types of activities/sports.
“With the current facilities, we don’t have the facilities to offer soccer tournaments; and with the multi-purpose fields you’d also [be able to offer] lacrosse, and rugby and other sports like that,” said Reeder. “But we do have the facilities for baseball and softball.”
Transient guest tax was being set aside for the proposed sports complex; the renovation of existing facilities would not require any additional dollars.
“We’re keeping it fairly small scale, but we just kind want to see what we can do to make those improvements and then see if those improvements turn into tournaments and overnight stays and bringing people in from out of town.”
Reeder noted that the focus for renovations is at North Park and Rathert Field in Junction City. He noted that some tournaments are spread across multiple complexes in one community, so Cleary Park could also be utilized for tourism.
“We have four fields at North Park, and if you like at Dodge City – they have a four field complex and this year they have 17 tournaments coming; Pratt also has a four field complex and they host multiple tournaments throughout the summer,” said Reeder. “With four fields you’re able to work with a lot and then to add on the two fields at Cleary and the field at Rathert – we have a lot of potential here.”
Cleary Park is used for softball and age group youth baseball.
While the proposed sports complex project is on hold, Reeder contends that they are not giving up.
“We’re definitely still looking at, we definitely see it as a positive thing for Geary County; but at the moment there’s not really anywhere we can go with that.”
Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a suspect alleged to have taken over 25 potted plants.
Officers with the RCPD filed a report for theft, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia in the 3600 block of Everett Dr. on Saturday, June 17 just before 3:00 am.
Heather White-Brighton, 39, Manhattan, and Michael Brighton, 39, Manhattan, reported that a known suspect took a plant from their residence. When stopped, the suspect also had approximately 25 potted and free standing plants, a leaf blower, a hedge trimmer, and other miscellaneous garden decorations in the vehicle. All were seized in the belief that they were stolen.
Officers also seized items that field tested positive for methamphetamine during the search.
RCPD posted about the incident on their Facebook page:
If you live in the northwest, head out to your porch and see if you still have your potted plants. We arrested someone this morning with a car full of potted plants we believe are stolen. If you find that yours were stolen, please call in to dispatch at 785-537-2112. We have them all at the station for you to come and identify.
Never thought I’d write a post about identifying potted plants, but here we are.
The RCPD is asking anyone who is missing a potted plant, or any of the items above to contact Riley County Dispatch at 537-2112.
The Junction City Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 126 W 16th Street on Sunday, June 18th just after 6:44 pm.
Initial responding fire crews found a four unit apartment complex with smoke coming from the common entry door of the structure. Junction City Police Officers on the scene confirmed that the complex had been evacuated of all persons.
A quick fire attack from the first arriving Engine Company extinguished the fire. The structure was ventilated and the on scene firefighters conducted salvage and overhaul operations to ensure no spread of the fire.
Fire Chief Terry Johnson reports that it was a kitchen fire with damage estimates at $2500.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The Junction City Police Department (JCPD) reports the arrest of Robert Sims for alleged Aggravated assault, Criminal restraint, Possession of simulated controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, Possession of depressants, Possession of firearm by felon convicted of person crime, and Transporting an open container.
The JCPD also reports the arrest of Kemeyonne Taylor on requested charges of Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked, Possession of depressants, stimulants, or hallucinogenic drugs, Possession of simulated controlled substance or drug paraphernalia, and Failure to appear.
Sims and Taylor’s arrests occurred on June 18th.
