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Category: Local

Big Response for Cans for Kansas Honor Flights

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cans-for-veterans

There was a strong response in Geary County for the Cans for Kansas Honor Flight.

The program collects aluminum cans which are used to raise money to send veterans to Washington D.C. to view the war memorials that were built in their honor.

Warren Vincent, program coordinator, said the program goes to nine counties and the turnout in Geary County was probably the best turnout ever in the six years of the program’s existence. “I’m sure there’s going to be over a thousand ( cans ), probably close to 1400.” The aluminum cans are transported to Hutchinson, Kansas.

Vincent paid a visit to the American Legion Post 45 on Saturday to collect the cans and any monetary donations. The cans are taken to Hutchinson. “to Midwest Iron and Metal. They give us 55 cents a pound for the cause. Nobody else will touch that price. We recycle about 700 pounds a week. My goal this year is to fund about 25 veterans.”

To apply for a trip on a Kansas Honor Flight visit kansashonorflight.org. The three-day two-night trip is provided free for the veterans.

Cans for Kansas Honor Flights will return to Junction City on June 3 to collect more cans.

Police warn of skimmers at Kansas gas stations

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Skimmers found on bank ATM in July 2015

RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating a report of skimmers at multiple gas station in Manhattan.

The device is placed over credit and debit card readers to illegally obtain information.

Police reported on social media they were unsure if there are other, undiscovered skimmers. They urged residents to consider paying inside instead of at the pump this weekend.

They also reminded citizens to check your accounts regularly for fraudulent activity.

Since 2015, skimmers have been reported on bank ATMs in Wichita, Salina and in Finney County.

Authorities Work Non-injury Accident

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khpUPDATE:

The area of K-18 where the accident occurred is now clear. The Kansas Highway Patrol confirmed it was a non-injury accident.

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Law enforcement authorities responded during the one o’clock hour Saturday afternoon to an accident in the area of the 7200 block of K-18 Highway at the Geary County – Riley County line.

That information was provided by the Northeast Kansas Regional Notification System.

KDOT to Begin Traffic Signalization Project

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junction city symbolKDOT will begin the Traffic Signalization project for the intersection of 6th and Franklin in Junction City on Monday.

Ray Ibarra, Junction City Public Works Director, stated that traffic at the intersection of 6th Street east and west of Washington Street, and Franklin Street between 7th and 5th Streets will be inconvenienced during the road construction for the next two months. Motorists will need to follow the posted work zone signs and pay attention to the construction traffic.

Full access to all businesses within the affected area will be provided.

The work involved in the project will include removing and replacing curb and gutter, sidewalk, asphalt and installing new traffic signals.

USD 475 Receives Additional Heavy Impact Aid Payment

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usd 475 learning for all whatever it takesGeary USD 475 has received $1.2 million in additional Heavy Impact Aid funds from the federal government. District officials report that the funds from the 2014-15 school were received this past week. That payment had not been anticipated.

William Clark, Director of Business Operations, said, “Additional payments aren’t uncommon for Heavy Impact Aid. Allotments can increase depending on how much money is appropriated. If the entirety of funds is not given out, additional payments can be distributed.

During the 2014-15 school year, USD 475 originally anticipated an allotment of 75% of the total funds for which they qualified. This allotment changed to a total of 85% earlier this week when the district received the additional funds. This $1.2 million is not part of the Heavy Impact Aid payment that the district expects as part of its checks and balances for a new high school. That payment is expected later this month.

“We’ve said several times, to move forward with a new high school we need three things to happen. First, gain approval for state funds, which will be on the State Board of Education consent agenda on March 14th. Next, we need to receive the Heavy Impact Aid  payment. Lastly, the community will need to pass the bond election on May 9th,” stated Superintendent of Schools Dr. Corbin Witt.

Witt will travel to Washington D.C. this weekend to meet with local representatives and officials with the National Association of Federally Impacted Schools.

Kan. woman hospitalized after Cadillac hits house in Manhattan

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Photo Riley Co. Police

RILEY COUNTY- A Kansas woman was injured in an accident just after 10a.m. on Thursday in Riley County.

Police in Manhattan reported a Cadillac passenger vehicle driven by Kelley Goss, 54, White City, was traveling on Fort Riley Blvd. and Miller Parkway.

She lost control of the car. It veered off the road and struck an occupied residence, according to police.

There were no injuries to those inside the home.
Goss was transported to the hospital in Manhattan. No citations were issued at the scene of the accident, according to police.

The homeowner thanked police and other first responders who “went above and beyond” to help his kids calm down and feel secure following the crash. He said he was incredibly grateful for amazing people who made a horrible situation much easier to deal with.”

Exchange Bank Consolidating Operations

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Exchange Bank 702 N. Washington St. location (photo courtesy Exchange Bank)
Exchange Bank 702 N. Washington St. location (photo courtesy Exchange Bank)

The Exchange Bank in Junction City is consolidating operations into their main bank building at 702 North Washington Street (photo).

Ken Mortenson, Bank President, confirmed that their west branch located at 1038 W 6th Street will be closed as part of the consolidation.

“We’ve just got to adapt to a changing bank environment, it’s so convenient and secure to use internet banking products or the mobile applications/mobile banking apps, that it’s just the need for two facilities this close together just isn’t practical,” said Mortenson. “We’re going to keep the ATM out there, but we’re going to close the office.”

Consolidating two buildings into one will require moving employees as well.

“We’re hoping to find something for all of [the employees],” said Mortenson who added that the consolidation will benefit overall operations at Exchange Bank.

“It helps us consolidate and we can work on our customer service better, and rather than having two different areas where we’re having to spread things out about it’s all just done in one location; it’s going to be an inconvenience for some of our customers and we apologize for that, but this is just the world we live in right now.”

The consolidation will be effective on May 31, 2017.

Oak Leaf Itch Mite in Kansas for Fourth Consecutive Year

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photo courtesy LA Times
photo courtesy LA Times

The Oak Leaf Itch Mite is back again in 2017.

The small mite is found in lawns, windbreaks and anywhere that pin oak trees are planted. Raymond Cloyd, Kansas State University Horticulturalist, confirmed the development early in the year.

“Right now because of a mild Winter, or lack of Winter, there’s some prospects of high survivability of the mite, and consequently there may be a fourth year of the Oak Leaf Itch Mite in Kansas,” said Cloyd.

A cause for concern is that little is known about the itch mite, because they are not necessarily present every year – this is the first time in Kansas that they’ve occurred in four consecutive years, making them difficult to study.

The bites can sometimes resemble that of chiggers, but the bites are often in different areas on the body and the intense itch associated with the mites helps to differentiate them. Chigger bites are often on the lower half of the body, while the mites leave their mark on the neck, shoulders and back.

There is no effective treatment for the rash that occurs when bitten by the mites, but the bites are not considered to be dangerous.

The best defense against the oak leaf itch mite, according to Cloyd, is to avoid oak trees, or wear protective clothing when you are around them; itch mites are known to also inhabit lawns and landscapes of homes.

Blue & Gold Market – Saturday!

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blue-goldThe annual Blue & Gold Market at Saint Xavier is this Saturday, March 11th from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. 

This is a fundraising event for Saint Xavier schools that features several different types of vendors including an open photography booth.

“We have LulaRoe, which is very popular among the women…we have Britt’s farm coming that will have some of their homemade goods, we have Origami Owl which is a necklace company…we will have Mary Kay, we will have Munson’s Prime which is also donating the meat for our lunch that will be available,” said PTO representative Nicole Berry.

A $1 admission charge makes you eligible for the 50/50 drawing.

“Once you pay the dollar then any money that we raise, a 50/50 would be half the money goes to the person with the winning ticket and the other half goes back to the school,” said Berry.

There will be additional arts and crafts sales as well as a bake sale.

This event is being sponsored by the Saint Xavier Catholic School PTO.

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