The annual Severe Weather / Storm Spotter presentation by the National Weather Service has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 7th at the 4-H / Senior Center on South Spring Valley Road in Junction City.
Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges confirmed there is no cost to attend and the public is welcome. The presentation will last about 90 minutes.
Continuing ED hours will be available for law enforcement and EMT’s.
The catfish were biting at Milford Lake on Monday.
Outdoor enthusiast Rick Dykstra submitted these photos and information on fish caught on Monday at the reservoir.
Photos of Blue Catfish caught on Feb. 13, 2017.
The person holding the single Blue Catfish (Weighed 67.3 Pounds) is Kevin Dandliker of Wymore, NE. The other two are Rich Vernon of Centralia, KS and Adam Fleagle of Seneca, KS. The center person is Ryan Gnagy of Primetime Catfish Guide Service.
Asset forfeiture laws in Kansas will remain in tact for at least another year.
Lawmakers have decided not to act on questions raised by an audit that was critical what it described as “vague” laws in the State regarding asset forfeiture. The audit conducted last summer contended that agencies take advantage of these laws and how they report and use the seized property from those suspected of committing crimes.
It’s a war on words, and it’s misleading – that’s the sentiment of Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf.
“The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is a big group who is behind this along with some legislators up there in Topeka, and they want everyone to believe that this a violation of everyone’s Fourth Amendment,” said Wolf.
Wolf argues that [they] want the community to believe that law enforcement is “taking things willy nilly” and he says that is “entirely wrong”.
“My guys that are out there that do this stuff, they are not going to seize something unless they can tie it to drug (illegal) activity; I can’t tell you how many loads of money they have let go down the roadway because they could not tie this stuff to drug activity,” said Wolf.
For now, law enforcement across the State can rest assured that no immediate changes will be made to the laws. A Judicial Advisory Committee has been asked to review potential changes – lawmakers are not expected to make any decisions until late this year or early next year.
Wolf has stated previously that the process is a deterrent to profitable crimes like drug trafficking and the monies seized are used within the agencies to alleviate financial burdens on the taxpayer.
Valentine’s Day, dubbed the Hallmark holiday, is expected to generate consumer spending over $19 billion in the United States this year.
According to the National Retail Federation, consumers were on track last year to eclipse $19.7 billion in Valentine’s Day related spending.
Some of the most common items to splurge on are diamonds, chocolate, flowers and champagne. Local retailers know that there will be a lot of last minute shoppers and they are prepared.
Mary Loehr, Owner of Mary’s Floral, 1034 W. 6th Street, said that in her 50 years of experience February 14th has always been a hectic day. Valentine’s Day is considered the second busiest holiday in the floral industry next to Mother’s Day.
“It is a lot of people coming into the shop, there are a lot of phone calls, and we’re doing our arrangements and getting them out the door and delivered as soon as possible,” said Loehr who adds that they begin preparing in December for Valentine’s Day.
Loehr said that this year she received a lot of orders in January for the “hallmark holiday” but she anticipates a lot of traffic in the store tomorrow.
If you’re in the market for some jewelry for your valentine, Stephanie Anderson, Co-Owner Vernon’s Custom Jewelry, said that there are some definite trends this year.
“We have Lafonn, that is very affordable, it is simulated diamonds set in sterling silver and it is bonded with platinum and retails starting at $100 – it is very popular in New York, and a lot of celebrities are wearing it; we also have pendants ranging from crosses, diamonds and hearts – and right now heart pendants are very popular,” said Anderson.
Vernon’s Custom Jewelry, 703 N. Washington Street, will attempt to ease the tension of last minute shopping with 20% off storewide, with the exception of repairs and loose diamonds.
According to Fortune, the following was the average consumer spending trends for major holidays in 2016.
Whether you’re in the market for jewelry, chocolate, flowers, a night out or a night in you can find a special way to celebrate with your loved one.
The Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce has a list of local businesses to suit your needs.
There will be a Junction City High School campaign meeting on Thursday, February 16th at the Geary County 4-H/Senior Citizens Building.
The meeting will be centered around the effort to gain community support in favor of a new high school at a new site.
Assembled by the school District, the Way Forward Steering Committee came to the decision to pursue a new high school at a new site. Their decision was presented to the Board of Education that detailed a desire to pursue a new school a cost not to exceed $105 million and with no increase to the mil levy. Board members voted 4 to 2 in favor of the effort.
A May 9th bond election has been scheduled in order for the Geary USD 475 School District to receive the 48% state aid necessary to complete the project. Without voter approval, the issue falls flat.
The campaign will work toward solid community approval ahead of the May 9th bond election.
The meeting on February 16th begins at 7:00 pm at 1107 S. Spring Valley Road. It is free and open to the public.
The Geary County District Court arraignment for Gabrielle “Gabby” Williams has been continued until March 24th at 9 a.m. Williams had been scheduled for arraignment on Monday ( February 13th ) but the hearing was continued until next month because the defense attorney was ill.
Williams was one of two charged in 2016 in connection with the January 2016 shooting death of David Phillips, 24, Manhattan at an 827 West 12th Street, Apartment C location. The allegations ranged from Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder to Aggravated Robbery and Felony Murder.
The County Attorney, Krista Blaisdell confirmed the arraignment for Williams had been continued.
Geary Community Hospital is hosting a Ladies Night Out on Tuesday, February 21st at the Courtyard by Marriott in Junction City.
February is Women’s Heart Health month and the American Heart Association’s designated Go Red for Women campaign.
Admission to the event is $25 which includes heavy appetizers, swag bags, door prizes and a vendor fair.
Heather Ryan, a heart attack survivor, will be the guest speaker.
The event begins at 5:30 pm on February 21st and all in attendance are encouraged to wear red.
For more information or to reserve tickets call 210-3307.
SAN DIEGO – A 1978 Manhattan High School graduate and Manhattan, Kansas native is serving the U.S. Navy as a member of Space and Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR).
As a business finance manager, Scott Schwab is responsible for the finances supporting the engineers. This support allows them to do their testing and work. He has been working with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific operating in San Diego for the last three years.
According to Navy officials, SPAWAR develops, delivers and sustains communications and information capabilities for warfighters, keeping them connected at all times.
“I like working with the active duty and civilians alike,” said Schwab. “There is great camaraderie in the support of the war fighters.”
Schwab said He is proud to be a part of the command that helps protect the United States from cyber threats around the world.
“Working at SPAWAR means I am the leading edge for all cyber security in defense of the nation,” said Schwab. “We are leading the way.”
The men and women who comprise SPAWAR provide the hardware and software needed to execute Navy missions around the world. The team consists of more than 9,500 active duty military and civil service individuals. These professionals keep SPAWAR at the forefront of research, engineering and acquisition to provide and sustain fleet capabilities.
Established in 1985, SPAWAR works to improve cyber warfighting capability and enhances technology on surface ships, aircraft and submarines.
“The work done by the military and civilian team at SPAWAR is unmatched,” said Rear Adm. David Lewis, SPAWAR Commander. “I am always impressed by the creativity, enthusiasm and patriotism these men and women exude every day. Not only do they enhance cybersecurity efforts, but they are constantly working to deliver innovation to the fleet by fielding new systems and new technologies as rapidly and effectively as possible.”
The 2016-2017 graduates of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program Class were honored Friday night at the Courtyard by Marriott convention center in Junction City.
Class members included from Junction City, Anthony Dokes, and Kevin Walker, Ellen Becker of Milford, Patsy LaMothe of Abilene, from Manhattan Kathy Bellinder, Clay E. Boyer, Bob Everdeen, Jesse Gilpin, Robin Graham, Micah Hydeman, George Mummert Jr., Clay Nauman, Jesse R. Romo, Marcia Rozell, Jamie Schrock, Robert Smith, Angie Sutton and Jared Tremblay, plus Susan Adams and Tanya Purvis of Westmoreland, Shawn Cheever and Joe Fanning of St. George, and Stacie Eichem of Wamego.
Jacob Lovell was named the 2017 Senior King of Courts and Stazzi Simmons the 2017 Senior Queen of Courts at Junction City High School. They were recognized during the Winter Homecoming ceremony at JCHS Friday night.
