The Junction City Commission has approved a change order for the 2019 street maintenance program. It will result in a cost increase of $324,834.

The contract was awarded for a little over one million dollars in May, but during a two-inch milling project on Tamerisk Drive a problem was discovered where the remaining two-inch asphalt base would not support road traffic, said Public Works Director Ray Ibarra. “The problem was the road was constructed in the late 1970’s. There’s no rock underneath the subgrade. There we had an issue where the remaining two inches of asphalt were starting to pump.”

Ibarra said by approving the change order they’re going to place compact AV3 base and four inches of hot mix asphalt on a newly constructed road. That should provide a 20-year road.

 

There will be a Lip Sync Contest during the 150th Wakefield Birthday Bash in Wakefield on Friday, August 23rd.  The contest is being hosted by Tom Mcelhaney.

The show will begin at 7 p.m. on  the Birthday Bash main stage. There is no entry fee for participants in the contest.

Contact Tom Mcelhaney at 785-223-1733 to sign up.

The Junction City – Geary County Drug Operations served a search warrant at 311 West 8th Street, number three on Wednesday as part of an investigation into drug distribution and person crimes related to drug distribution. Authorities noted that the warrant yielded heroin, crack cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and two firearms.

A small alligator was also located and removed from the residence.

Authorities stated that those who were arrested included:

-Lauren Vanarsdale Jackson, 37, Junction City on seven counts including suspicion of Possession with intent to distribute heroin within 1,000 feet of a school, Possession with intent to distribute cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school and Possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Felony possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Threat.

–A juvenile on suspicion of Possession with intent to distribute marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, Felony possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Illegal possession of a firearm.

 

Junction City police announced via social media that Lieutenant Cory Odell wrangled an alligator Wednesday while assisting the Drug Operations Group serve a search warrant in the 300 block of West 8th Street.

Odell named the baby gator Flash-bang, but wasn’t allowed to keep him. Flash-bang is now safely in the custody of the Milford Nature Center. It is against Junction City ordinance to have alligators in the city limits.

Fort Riley will host the first soap box derby race, Riley’s Rascal Derby, on Saturday at Buffalo Soldier Road at Camp Funston.

Participants will check in cars at Buffalo Soldier Road and 4th Street. Both participants and spectators can follow the signs from Huebner Road to the race check-in location and visitor parking.

Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m., safety briefing at 9:30 and racing begins at 10 a.m.

This event is open to the public. Racers will compete in three age categories including 7-12, 13-17, 18 and above.

Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall in the morning. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph. chance of precipitation 90 percent.

JEWELL COUNTY — Two people were injured in an accident just after 6p.m. Wednesday in Jewell County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Ronald A. Payne, 87, Formoso, was northbound on 260 Road and failed to yield at U.S. 36. An eastbound 2007 Kenworth semi driven by Mario Romero, 38, Plano, TX., struck the pickup and pushed it into the north ditch.

EMS transported Payne and a passenger Iva L. Payne, 84, Formoso, to the Lincoln County Hospital. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. Romero was not injured.

The longtime executive director of the Flint Hills Regional Council, Gary Stith, is retiring. A member of the executive board for the Council, Tim Brown, confirmed that information.

The Council was informed at their July meeting. “So the search is on for a new executive director.” Brown added, “I’m on the executive committee so we’ll be going through resumes here soon.”

The Council is comprised of members from multiple area cities and counties including Junction City and Geary County.