Geary County elected officials took the Oath of Office this afternoon, signaling official start of the new terms in office.

Newcomer Krista Blaisdell, County Attorney, said she’s excited to get started.

“I’m very excited to get in to office and get my head wrapped around everything that’s going on and just do the best that I can for Geary County and take it one day at a time,” said Blaisdell, the fresh-faced attorney who defeated Democrat Chris Biggs in the November general election.

Taking a look ahead at some of her long term goals, Blaisdell will continue to work on juvenile justice requirements, and addressing mental health issues in the County.

The County Commission has experienced a major shake-up with 2 of the 3 Commissioners being new to office.

Keith Ascher, 3rd District Seat County Commission, said he’s ready to hit the ground running.

“It’s been almost a year since I’ve made the decision [to run for office]…it’s been very rewarding, but there’s a lot and I’ve had people tell me from Senator Moran to City Commissioners, County Commissioners, State people say ‘hey, it’s like drinking out of a fire hose the first time’…I’m excited,” said Ascher.

Ascher ran unopposed for the 3rd District of Geary County after Florence Whitebread decided not to seek re-election after 24 years of service.

In the highly contested race for the 2nd District seat on the Commission, Republican Charles Stimatze came out on top defeating Larry Hicks who previously held that seat for 8 years.

Stimatze said his first feeling after taking the Oath of Office was excitement.

“I’m excited to get working for Geary County and see what we can accomplish…I think there is a lot of challenges with the County and with the mil levy, so we’re going to get started working on that,” said Ascher.

Geary County Sheriff Tony Wolf, Treasurer Kathy Tremont, Register of Deeds Diane Briestensky, and County Clerk Rebecca Bossemeyer were amongst those sworn in to a consecutive term on Monday.

Elected officials took the Oath of Office in a packed County Commission Chambers full of City and County officials, and community members where excitement was the shared feeling amongst all in attendance.

DICKINSON COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Dickinson County are investigating a reported explosive device found over the weekend.

Just after 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, Herington police and sheriff’s deputies responded after a citizen called to report a suspicions device seen under a bridge near Vane Road and Highway 4 just outside Herington, according to Dickinson County Sheriff Gareth Hoffman.

Officials contacted the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team from Fort Riley. They checked the device, moved it and detonated it.

“We have no leads and are not 100 per cent sure what it was,” said Hoffman.

The team from Fort Riley is still working to learn more about what it was and who might have been responsible.

The last few years have been a difficult time for law enforcement across the nation.

You’ve seen the headlines – Excessive Force Used by Officer, Officers Targeted in Shootings – the community divides in some areas of the country have become disheartening.

Despite what many see as a scary time for the men and women in blue, Trooper Ben Gardner, Kansas Highway Patrol, said he’s never felt more proud.

“It’s so good to hear a praise or support or thanks from the public, or anybody…yes, there’s difficult things happening across the Nation, what I would also let you know or what I want people to understand is honestly I think today – right now – in law enforcement is the best time to be in law enforcement,” said Gardner.

Trooper Ben, as he’s often referred, said that many officers may even question his thought process when he says it’s the “best time to be in law enforcement”. Gardner said that things were very different in the beginning of his 17 year career with the KHP.

“Not many people would give me a handshake or say the words ‘I’m praying for you’ or ‘I support you’, but I can tell you right now in today’s world that is something that is a consistent theme; I am constantly having people come up to me and thank me and praising me and saying they’re praying for me, and it’s a very different environment now while it might be challenging, and there is a lot of challenging things happening across the Nation, there are a lot of people who want to give us praise and give us support and it’s needed and it’s appreciated,” said Gardner.

Gardner was a guest on the J-C Now Morning Show on 1420 AM – KJCK. The Interview was also live-streamed on Facebook.