The first session of the after school and home school program by the Geary County Historical Society will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the Historical Museum.

There will be a program for home school youth at 10 a.m. and an after school program for youth at 4 p.m. The topic this month will be “An Alphabetical History of Geary County: Introducing the New Exhibit!”

A scavenger hunt and a lesson about what makes Geary County special will be included in the program. RSVPs are required. You can contact Jennifer Dixon at gearyhistoryprograms@gmail.com or 785-238-1666 to sign up.

The proposed budget for the 2019-2020 school will be the focus of a public hearing and consideration of approval by the Geary USD 475 Board of Education Monday evening. The Board meets at 5:30 p.m. at the Devin Center.

The total amount of the general fund alone has been calculated at $52,033,384  and the total of all district budgets combined has been placed at $157, 838, 371.

Central Geary County was under a severe thunderstorm warning during the early morning time period, ending at two a.m. The National Weather Service reported that the storm was centered along a line from near Blaine to four miles northwest of Manhattan to three miles southeast of Milford, moving east. That storm eventually moved on out of Geary County.

Junction City received only light rainfall overnight Friday into early Saturday. Extension Agent Chuck Otte reported 13-hundredths of an inch was received in the city.

There were heavier rains farther north and east.

There is a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day on Saturday and 30-percent chance on Saturday night.

A Bow Slinger 3-D Archery Tournament will be held at Fort Riley on Saturday, Aug. 24. Archers of all ages, both military and civilian, can take on the mile-and-a-half long course, featuring three-dimensional targets, including the “Bigfoot of the Flint Hills.”

The competition will include seven categories ranging from Men’s Open and Men’s Bow Hunter to Women’s Open and Women’s Bow Hunter. There will also be Active Duty, Traditional and Youth ( ages 8-17 ) categories. Registration fees range from $25 to $45, depending on the category. Fees increase $10 for same day registration. Registration is open until noon on Aug. 22 at riley.armymwr.com or in person at Fort Riley’s Outdoor Adventure Park.

The tournament will award cash payouts to the top three finishers in each category. Check-in will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, with the tournament beginning at 9 a.m. Food will be available for purchase, and the event should end by 2 p.m.

There have been about 6,200 Soldiers deployed from Fort Riley but most of those are expected to be back at the installation in October, meaning there will be nearly a full contingent of troops on post at that point. That report has surfaced during discussion by officials participating in public meetings. It will be good news for families of the Soldiers, and for the local economy.

JC Post talked with City Manager Allen Dinkel following an economic development commission advisory committee meeting this week. “Oh, I think everybody is getting excited.” DInkel commented that during the session EDC Chairman Mark Powers had noted it was good to have the troops back because it would mean more money and people in town.  The City Manager stated,  “I know some of the local businesses have suffered sales-tax wise. Our ( City ) sales tax has held in place with last year but you always want to increase.”

Dinkel added the August sales tax revenue numbers have not come in yet, but the July numbers were down from July of 2018.

The subject of troops returning has also been mentioned at recent Military Affairs Council, Junction City Commission and Flint Hills Regional Council meetings.

Kaye Fisher has accepted an offer to serve as the USD 475 Transportation Coordinator, effective Aug. 19.

The Chief Operations Officer for USD 475, David Wild, said Fisher is a long-term 24-year employee in the district. Her most recent experience with the district includes accounts payable and travel responsibilities in the District Finance Department.

Wild said Fisher brings a reputation for dependability, reliability and genuine concern for others to her new position.

Fisher said the idea to seek a change in job position formalized during  the recent General Session when Superintendent Dr. Reginald Eggleston addressed the staff. The theme “Whatever it Takes” resonated. “I couldn’t help but be reminded of the vacant corner of the Transportation Office and knew I could help make a difference, “Fisher stated.

People in Geary County felt the earthquake that occurred Friday morning near Hutchinson, Kansas. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles from Hutchinson, and registered at 4.2 magnitude.

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges noted that based on what he has been seeing from the internet and web sites a lot of people felt it, “in Oklahoma and up here in northeast Kansas. He added there have been aftershocks in Reno County in the 2.8 to 3.3 range.