Local – Page 726

Holiday Shopping Made Easy at Annual Christkindl Market

Posted on November 29, 2016

Fort Riley’s annual Christkindl Market takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riley’s Conference Center.

The event, which is in its eighth year, features more than 50 vendors selling handmade items, holiday décor, gifts and much more. Family activities like sugar cookie decorating, face painting and pictures withSanta or the Grinch will be available for $1 each. Festive food and gluhwein (a German/Austrian winter holiday drink) will also be available for purchase.

The event is open to the public; however, those without a Department of Defense ID card need to stop at the Henry Gate visitor center to get a pass.

Details can be found online at https://www.riley.army.mil/.

Get Ready to be Starstruck in Abilene!

Posted on November 29, 2016

Abilene, Ks, Nov. 29, 2017 – Great Plains Theatre in Abilene, the only professional theatre between Kansas City and Denver, is exited to announce its 23rd Main Stage season, premiering June 2017. This latest season will be full of fun and surprises, starting in June with our Season Opener. Due to contractual obligations, GPT cannot announce the name of the first show until February 2nd.

You will not want to miss this musical adventure, it’s sure to entertain you. Right on the heels of our Season Opener we have Gypsy, the classic story of glitz, glamour, and guilt with a stage mother who has a hand in it all. You will step in the life of a woman desperate to make it in showbiz, even if she must use her daughters to get there. Following Gypsy is Ragtime, another classic Americana tale of differing lives coming together to create art. As the 20th Century dawns, the separate worlds of New York City begin to blur together to tell their stories. Ragtime shines a light of the disparate lives of Harlem musicians, Upper-middle class families and Immigrants all while weaving their tales together in a brilliant musical style. The last show of the Main Stage Season is Peter and the Starcatcher, a prequel retelling of the famous Boy who refused to grow up. Step on board the deck of a ship headed for adventure in this thrilling prequel to the Neverland story you know and love. Daring characters blending seamlessly into the old, you be entranced by the magic. Second star to the right, and straight on ’till Great Plains Theatre!

“Theatre is a lovely and creative experience,” states Elizabeth Weese, Great Plains Theatre’s executive director, “and Great Plains Theatre is stretching its wings to bring a new and fresh season our audience and to the region.”

To save money and to be able to reserve the best seats in the house, purchase your Season Tickets now. Season Tickets packages are available online at greatplainstheatre.com or by stopping by the box office at 401 Cottage Ave in Abilene, or you may call 785-263-4574 any time between 9:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M. Single tickets will go on sale April 1st.

It’s going to be a fantastic season, get ready to be Starstuck in Abilene!

Mayor’s Spirit of Christmas Holiday Lighted Parade

Posted on November 29, 2016

MANHATTAN, KAN. – Give back this holiday season and join Mayor Usha Reddi and the Flint Hills Breadbasket for the Mayor’s Christmas Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade on Fri., Dec. 2 at 5:30p.m. The parade begins at Manhattan Town Center and travels through downtown Manhattan on Poyntz Avenue. It will end in Aggieville’s Triangle Park for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Donations for the Flint Hills Breadbasket – both non-perishable food and tax-deductible monetary donations – will be accepted during the parade.

“We are so fortunate to be involved in the Mayor’s Parade each year,” says Maribeth Kieffer,executive director of the Breadbasket. “The holidays are a time to give back and be thankful for each other and what we have. Join us to celebrate this wonderful time of year with your neighbors, friends and families.”

New this year is the enhancement of lighting of the Mayor’s Tree and holiday lighting in Triangle Park. The Mayor’s Tree will be decorated with 2,000 purple and white LED light bulbs. The park decorations will be glowing with the addition of shooting stars that will be anchored in the trees of the park.

Everyone is invited to enjoy the very first viewing of these new Christmas decorations. The first lighting will occur at the conclusion of the Mayor’s lighted parade at approximately 7pm on Dec. 2. Special activities in the park include the singing of holiday tunes by the Manhattan High School choir.Special guests include Mayor Usha Reddi and K-State President General Richard Myers. Santa will also attend and will help spread the spirit of Christmas to everyone.

For more information about the parade, visit https://cityofmhk.com/752/Mayors-Christmas-Spirit-of-the-Holidays-.

County Sales Tax Revenues Up for Third Consecutive Month

Posted on November 29, 2016

Sales tax revenues are up in Geary County.

The total for October was $190,813 which is up from $180,460 in October 2015.

Geary County Commissioner Florence Whitebread sees this as good news. “That’s the third month in a row it has been up because we have had several months that had been down quite badly, so it’s really good news to see the sales tax up.”

Year to date sales tax revenues for the county are up 1.34 percent, or $24,622.

Dickinson County Historical Society Presents: Christmas in the Cabin

Posted on November 29, 2016

The Dickinson County Historical Society will host its annual Christmas in the Cabin program on Sunday, December 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Heritage Center.

There will be activities in the Volkman Cabin including a pioneer family preparing a frontier Christmas, decorating a tree, cooking on the wood burning stove and visiting with friends. Learn the story about what life was like in the 1850s in Dickinson County.

Inside the museum, there will be singing, refreshments and you can view the museum. Kids can visit Santa Claus.

Outside, visitors can enjoy a live Nativity Scene presented by Faith Lutheran Church. They can ride the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel. Also, there will be horse drawn wagon rides for everyone.

Admission and carousel rides are free.

For more information contact the Heritage Center at 236-2681.

Possible New High School Project Outlined for Local Elected Officials

Posted on November 29, 2016November 29, 2016

USD 475 staff outlined the possible new or renovated Junction City High School project for city and county commissioners on Monday.

They touched on subjects ranging from location for a school to the cost estimates in the $75 million to $105 million range, depending on the option selected for the project.

JC Post sampled reaction from Geary County Commissioner Ben Bennett, who said he has studied the project closely. “You’re moving into uncharted territory and you’re looking to a future that nobody can project. Hindsight’s always 20-20, and that’s what we’re hoping to avoid in this particular situation.” Bennett added he really does not have a projection on this project. “I know a new high school at some point in time is probably going to be necessary if this community grows.”

Bennett noted that’s what local officials are working on….doing something for economic development. New industry would cause growth.

City Commissioner Phyllis Fitzgerald said it was important information that was reported, and it’s important for all the citizens to be informed. She did not take a stance on the project, indicating she is not opposed to a new school or renovated facility. “Just going to have to wait and see how it all falls out as more information becomes available.”

City Commissioner Mike Ryan expressed concern state funding that could be used to fund 48% of the project could collapse, and noted that scares him. If voters approve a bond issue for the project that would qualify it for 48% state funding.

Lawsuit: Kansas State’s inaction led to another rape

Posted on November 28, 2016November 28, 2016

ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A female student says Kansas State University’s failure to investigate the rape of another woman allowed the same alleged assailant to sexually assault her.

The accusations were in court documents filed Monday seeking to add Crystal Stroup to a lawsuit against the university by Sara Weckhorst.

The Associated Press typically does not name alleged rape victims, but their attorney said both woman wanted to be identified.

Stroup says she was raped in 2015, while Weckhorst said she was attacked in 2014. If the court agrees to add Stroup to the lawsuit, she will be the third woman to sue the university this year over rape allegations.

Kansas State said it was reviewing the documents.

Jared Ralph Gihring was charged with rape in both cases, and was expelled from the university.

Former Kan. legislator, federal judge remembered for years of service

Posted on November 28, 2016November 28, 2016

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Richard Rogers, a decorated war veteran who served in both chambers of the Kansas Legislature before spending 40 years as a federal judge, has died. He was 94.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Rogers died Friday evening at a Topeka care center. Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego confirmed he died of natural causes. See more on Rogers here.

Rogers was born Dec. 29, 1921, at Oberlin in northwest Kansas and moved with his family to Wamego when he was in the first grade.

He graduated from Wamego High School in 1939 and from Kansas State University in 1943.

Rogers was a World War II bombardier before leaving the military in 1945 and graduating from law school in 1947. He served 12 years in the Legislature before being appointed as a federal judge in 1975.

Holiday Cheer for Children Quartermania

Posted on November 28, 2016

Super Quarter Special will host a Holiday Cheer for Children Quartermania on Sunday, December 4th at the Elks Club located at 723 S. Washington Street in Junction City.

Doors open at noon, and the event starts at 12:30 pm.

Join them for a fun afternoon to make the holiday season a little brighter for needy area kids by shopping for holiday gifts from over 15 vendors. There will also be prizes and raffles – receive a free raffle ticket by donating a new toy.

For more information email superquartersocial@gmail.com.

Holiday Season Kicks off with Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Posted on November 28, 2016

Fort Riley’s annual holiday tree lighting ceremony takes place Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Ware Parade Field.

This year, children of deployed Soldiers will flip the switch to turn on the tree lights after remarks from Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley acting senior commander. Other highlights include holiday caroling, warm beverages and a visit from Santa Claus.

The event is open to the public; however, those without a Department of Defense ID card need to stop at the Henry Gate visitor center to get a pass.

Details can be found online at https://www.riley.army.mil/.