The Kansas Highway Patrol has reported that 44-year old Steamboat Springs, Colorado man, Mark W. McGrath was transported to Geary Community Hospital in Junction City following an accident Friday night on I-70 near mile post 296. The location was on the interstate on the south side of the city about 600 feet west of South Washington Street.

According to KHP the Honda ELement driven by McGrath was westbound in the eastbound lane of the interstate’s inside lane. A Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Dayton R. Ratzlaff of Louisville, Georgia was eastbound on I-70 in the inside lane. Their vehicles collided with a glancing blow. The McGrath vehicle went into the median and rolled, while the Tahoe driven by Ratzlaff continued eastbound coming to a stop on the inside shoulder. A third vehicle, a Ford Mustang driven by Steven J. Kalivoda, Manhattan, was eastbound on I-70 and ran over road debris.

There were no other injuries reported in the accident. Kalivoda, Ratzlaff, and six other passengers in the Ratzlaff vehicle were not injured.

‘Tis the season to spread the holiday joy.

The Salvation Army will begin their bell ringing fundraising campaign on Friday, November 25th.

The funds raised stay locally in Geary County and support families in need through the holiday season and beyond.

“We are the only agency here that provides rental assistance and we have families that are being evicted every day…last year I serviced in one month over 100 families in some type of way – either giving resources, or giving funding or doing collaborations with other agencies trying to help them keep the lights on,” said Director Danielle Tettah.

Bell ringers will be outside of Dillon’s from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm and Walmart from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm in Junction City.

For more information, to donate, or become a bell ringer call Danielle Tettah at 785-579-6250.

During the week of November 21 st , subjects broke into Rex’s Smoke Shop located at 609 S. Washington St. and Home Lumber Do it Center located at 201 Grant Ave. Cigarettes were taken from the Smoke Shop and money was taken from both locations. Similar entry methods were used at both locations.

After information was received about possible suspects, officers with the assistance of Geary County Deputies executed a search warrant at 3827 W. K-244 Hwy.

The following subjects were arrested:

Jacob Joseph Thompson, w/m age 19 of Junction City was arrested and charged with 3 counts each of Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to property and one count of Intimidation of a Witness.

Chase Vaughn Green, w/m age 19 of Junction City was arrested and charged with 3 counts each of Burglary, Theft and Criminal Damage to Property.
Both subjects are being held without bond at the Geary County Detention Center pending first appearance.

The Junction City Police Department has reported the arrest of Zhaun Amory Itarell Soyke, 18, Junction City in connection with 11 different cases.

Soyke was arrested in cases that included suspicion of ten counts of Criminal Use of a Financial Card, and Identity Fraud, plus 11 counts of Theft, and one count each of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Burglary.

The arrest occurred Wednesday at 820 South Washington Street, Room 223, Budget Host Motel.