The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1501 Denison Avenue for the report of a structure fire on the evening of Monday, January 2nd.
Upon arrival fire crews encountered a two-story residential structure with light smoke; a fire in the basement apartment of the structure was contained within 10 minutes of arrival. A total of 16 firefighters responded on a six fire apparatus.
The cause of the fire was determined to be an unattended cooking fire.
Two occupants in the home were able to exit without injury prior to the arrival of the fire crew.
Damage is estimated at $4000 to the contents and $11,000 to the structure. The owner is listed as the Manhattan Church of Christ, Inc.
JUNCTION CITY, KAN. – Geary County Schools USD 475 has selected Mr. Matthew Droge as the new Executive Director of Communications, after reviewing several qualified applicants. Mat will start the New Year as the Director of Communications on January 2nd, pending Board approval. He will replace Hugh Davis, who resigned in November to be closer to his family who have been living in Lincoln, Nebraska for most of 2016. Hugh’s last day will be January 9, 2017.
Mat had served as a Law Enforcement Agency Spokesperson for the Riley County Police Department. He comes to Geary County Schools following a successful career as both a police officer and leader in communications and public relations for law enforcement. He is also an experienced strategic and crisis communicator and plans to use these skills to assist the District with strategic planning for upcoming projects and events. His dedication to professionalism and engagement through various communication styles will assist Geary County Schools in building upon relationships with staff, parents, students, and community stakeholders.
“I look forward to seeing what this award winning district can accomplish in the future and am excited to be able to highlight the achievements of students and staff. I plan to get started by meeting district staff as well as meeting and continuing to build relationships with community groups,” stated Mat.
Mat has been recognized by an international community for his work in public relations for law enforcement and was recently nominated for a Harvard Innovations in American Government Award. He will begin work with the District’s Communications Coordinator, Christine Johnson and Media Specialist, Quilaztli Pastorelli on January 2, 2017. In an outline of his expectations, he lists the importance of building relationships both internally and externally in order to reach common goals within the community.
The Executive Director of Communications is largely responsible for overall district communication which includes media relations, web presence, social media, the text messaging system, and crisis planning. Mat will serve as the official school spokesperson and work to highlight the many accomplishments of Geary County Schools in print, broadcast, and online formats.
F & S Electronics at 620 North Washington in downtown Junction City will be closing in the near future.
Owner Bob Cevera made the announcement. “It’s been 33 years. The last couple of years have really been a struggle with online sales and that kind of thing. It’s just a different market. The economy’s kind of different, and I’m just ready. I’m tired.”
Cevera has operated the business for 33 years, for most of that time as a Radio Shack outlet before a conversion to F & S Electronics. He estimated the business would close permanently in 30 to 60 days. The going out of business sign is up in the window.
Cevera is planning to move to another job in Junction City, and confirmed he will continue to work with the blues and barbecue festival, Jammin in JC.
1st Infantry Division Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard, Fort Riley- courtesy photo
More than three dozen organizations have accepted invitations to take part in the inaugural parade after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in Jan. 20, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced. More than 8,000 participants will represent the various groups. A list of the organizations:
— 1st Cavalry Division Horse Cavalry Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas
— 1st Infantry Division Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard, Fort Riley, Kansas
— Boone County Elite 4-H Equestrian Drill Team, Burlington, Kentucky
— Palmetto Ridge High School Band, Naples, Florida
— Russellville High School Band, Russellville, Arkansas
— Talladega College Band, Talladega, Alabama
— Texas State University Strutters, San Marcos, Texas
— The Citadel Regimental Band & Pipes and Summerall Guards, Charleston, South Carolina
— The Freedom Riders, Kersey, Colorado
— Tupelo High School Band, Tupelo, Mississippi
— University of Tennessee Marching Band, Knoxville, Tennessee
— VMI Corps of Cadets, Lexington, Virginia
— West Monroe High School Marching Band, West Monroe, Louisiana
Several national groups have also accepted invitations to march in the parade, the committee announced. They are American Veterans; Boy Scouts of America; U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations; Disabled American Veterans; Paralyzed American Veterans; Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors; U.S. Border Patrol Pipes & Drums; Wounded Warrior Project; Kids Overseas.
The 1st Infantry Division’s 100th birthday is June 8, 2017.
The Military Affairs Council Director in Junction City, John Seitz, noted how the division is embedded in the history of the nation. “You look at the division structure itself, the two brigades that we have now…the 1st and 2nd brigades are the original brigades that were in the division in World War One. And they had two regiments each of infantry in them. Those are the numbers that are still carried around in the division, at least for the most part. That history is embedded in the division.”
Plans are still being prepared for the division’s birthday celebration.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Westar Energy says the increasing use of drones is helping it work faster, save money and improve safety for its employees.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2iAgWiu ) that the company sends drones to inspect equipment, navigate remote areas and manage some emergency situations.LThe state’s largest utility worked with Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus to offer an unmanned aircraft systems program and now has one of the nation’s largest enclosed drone flight facilities on the Salina campus.
Westar recently began deploying drones commercially.
Jason Klenklen, supervisor of transmission maintenance, says the drones currently are used primarily in rural areas to inspect transmission lines. Drones also will be used to inspect boilers, which will allow employees to see the inside of boilers while being able to stay outside.
The Junction City Commission will conduct their annual reorganization Tuesday night ( January 3 ) during their meeting at 701 North Jefferson. It begins at 7 p.m.
A mayor and vice mayor will be elected and commissioners will be appointed to different public boards and committees for the 2017 year.
In the past the reorganization always occurred in April but it will now be done in January. The change was made after the Kansas Legislature moved city elections to November in the fall of odd numbered years, with new commissioners that are elected taking their seats in January.
The election of the mayor and vice mayor will be done by the commissioners themselves on an annual basis, and the mayor then makes the appointments to different boards and committees.
Beginning January 1 at noon, hours of operation at the Fort Riley Visitor Control Center will change to 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and federal holidays.
Anyone who does not have a Department of Defense ID card, Fort Riley access badge or visitor pass and requires access to the installation must plan ahead and stop at the Visitor Control Center during the new hours of operation.
You can visit https://www.riley.army.mil/Units/Garrison-Command/Emergency-Services / Access-Information/for up-to-date information about access requirements.
Sponsored individuals without a DoD ID card, Fort Riley access badge or visitor pass and requiring access during non-duty hours will need to report to the Henry Gate for access and:
–may only enter Fort Riley if escorted by a DoD ID cardholder
You can give the gift of warmth and donate unused handmade or purchased caps, mittens, gloves, and scarves. All donations will be given to local elementary schools. Donations will be accepted at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library through January 15, 2017. Sponsored by the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library, 230 W. Seventh Street.
The Manhattan Fire Department was dispatched to 1501 Denison Avenue for the report of a structure fire on the evening of Monday, January 2nd.
