The new Project Manager for the US Army Corps of Engineers at Milford Lake has been on the job for about two weeks.

Bill Whitworth was named project manager in October and he said some of his early objectives will be to maintain the level of service provided, checking the status of the facilities and becoming acquainted with the lake, community and stakeholders.

“I don’t want to change things that are working really well and I want to look at things that may not be working so well and try to improve them; but to do that, I need to just become really familiar with the lake and the issues and the stakeholders, [and] that will play out over time, but I do want to make sure we have a safe and enjoyable experience for those people that are coming this summer,” said Whitworth.

Whitworth said that the issue of blue-green algae is something that involves more than just Corps-owned land. “It’s a watershed issue, and working with the other folks that have lands in the watershed that supports Milford Lake; the blue green algae is something that’s in waters around the State, it’s a natural organism in the State.”

It is something that won’t be solved overnight.

“The issue has been thought that because of nutrients and weather, those combinations of things have combined to create some of these bloom issues…we can do little bits to make [it] better and that’s what I’ll be looking in to and trying to figure out what can we do that we haven’t been doing,” said Whitworth.

A Fort Hays State graduate, Whitworth has longed to come back to Kansas. Prior to accepting the position at Milford Lake he worked as the Chief of Resource Management at Theodore National Park in North Dakota.

Whitworth began work on December 13th.

Water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades are on the schedule in Junction City in 2017.

City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald provided the update. “Our east plant right now is being remodeled and the southwest plant is going to get remodeled next; some of the reason why those are being done is because of [the] EPA and KDHE, they keep changing the requirements and the standards and we have to stay in compliance.”

This will be an ongoing project with remodeling scheduled for Spring 2017.

“When they do that remodel at the Water Plant, it’s also going to include the back-up generators so if we ever have a problem and we have no electricity there’s back-up generators to keep the water flowing for everybody,” said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald also noted that improvements have been made to local streets during the past year.

December 27, 2016– Kansas saw a jump in gas prices on the week with a seven cent rise. This placed the state in the top-ten for highest increases on the week. The average is now 22% higher than last year. Topeka holds on to the number 50 spot for the lowest average metro in the nation. Wichita is seeing a 33% increase on their average price over this time last year. The OPEC efforts to curb oil production are aimed at rebalancing the oil supply and as a result, markets have reacted, causing retail prices to increase. The silver lining could be that typically the demand in January falls sharply and the prices may follow. Retail averages have increased 28 of the past 30 days and prices have moved higher by fractions of a penny since Friday. The national average for regular unleaded gasoline currently sits at $2.29 per gallon, which is five cents more than one week ago, 16 cents more than one month ago and 29 cents more year-over-year. today last week last month last year Change over last year National $2.29 $2.25 $2.13 $2.00 15% Kansas $2.13 $2.08 $1.90 $1.75 22% Emporia $2.10 $2.05 $1.87 $1.75 20% Garden City $2.05 $2.03 $1.95 $1.76 16% Hays $2.18 $2.12 $2.06 $1.93 13% KCK $2.16 $2.12 $1.87 $1.74 24% Lawrence $2.16 $2.13 $1.82 $1.72 26% Manhattan $2.16 $2.06 $1.93 $1.75 23% Pittsburg $2.13 $2.01 $1.85 $1.69 26% Salina $2.01 $1.98 $1.83 $1.70 18% Topeka $2.09 $2.07 $1.81 $1.73 21% Wichita $2.12 $2.10 $1.87 $1.60 33% Bordering states and rank in lowest gas prices around the country State Current Avg Rank today Rank last week Missouri $2.09 8 2 Oklahoma $2.08 6 5 Kansas $2.13 11 9 Colorado $2.17 16 13 Nebraska $2.26 25 25 Last month, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Counties (OPEC) along with non-cartel countries worked out an agreement to limit crude oil production by 1.8 million barrels per day beginning in January 2017. Last week, Libya announced the re-opening of pipelines from two major oil fields which has led many to speculate that increased production in Libya may counter OPEC’s anticipated cuts. Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 56 million members nationwide and 331,566 members in Kansas.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.aaa.com.

The Kansas Department of Transportation has approved bids for the state of December for highway construction and maintenance projects in Kansas.

Some of the bids may include multiple projects that have been bundled based on the proximity and type of work:

• Wabaunsee – 70‑99 KA-4415-01 – I‑70 at the rest area near Paxico, lighting, Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita, Ks., $47,050.00.
• Riley (approved November 2016) – 81 TE‑0405‑01 ‑ Pedestrian-bike path along Knox Lane from Casement Road to Northeast Community Park, pedestrian and bicycle paths, Pavers Inc., Salina, Ks., $219,445.13.

The Junction City Police Department reports that it is conducting a death investigation.

Officers responded to the 500 block area of W. Eighth Street for an unattended death. No additional details are immediately available.

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The JCPD reports the arrest of a 24 year old Missouri woman. Teka Marie Pardue was arrested just before midnight Monday evening on  I-70 at mile marker 296 and charged with suspicion of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

College graduates wanting to teach at the elementary school level have a one-year pathway to the classroom thanks to the College of Education at Kansas State University.

Kansas Transitions to Teaching fellowships are available for those interested in teaching in under served districts in Kansas.

Funded by the Board of Regents, these $6,000 tuition fellowship and $750 technology stipends are for career changers who pursue the University’s master of arts in teaching degree and work in an under served area. Successful program completers will also be recommended for a K-6 teaching licensure.

The master of arts in teaching is an intensive 12-month online degree designed for people who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, but want to pursue their dream of teaching. You can earn the degree in 12 months and be recommended for a Kansas initial teacher licensure in grades K-6.

The curriculum is delivered by online coursework, and field experiences are arranged in accredited elementary schools convenient to students in the program. Classes begin in May, and K-State is now accepting applications.

Military 101 is the title of a seminar on January 17th at Fort Riley.

Information covered during the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. seminar will range from community resources that are available to assist you to information about volunteering in the community, learning about Fort Riley groups and clubs, and learning about the command structure.

To sign up you can call 239-9974 or 239-9435. Limited free childcare is available. The childcare deadline is January third.

Junction City police are investigating a motor vehicle theft case.

Police said on Sunday they responded to the 1300 block of Skyline Drive in reference to a truck that was stolen.

No arrests have been reported.