All teachers in Geary USD 475 are required to report to work for the new school year on Monday ( Aug. 8 ).

The USD 475 agenda this week also includes the Board of Education tour of facilities from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, the staff General Session for all district employees on Friday from 8 to 11 a.m., and the annual Years of Service Luncheon on Friday from 11:15 until 12:45 at the Courtyard by Marriott Convention Center.

The luncheon is held to recognize teachers in five-year anniversary increments for service ranging from 10 to 35 years of employment with the school district.  Thirty-five year employees to be recognized this year include Vicki Hall, Shari Ryker, Doris Scriptter, Diana Spriggs, and Barbara Stewart.

The canvass of the primary election votes in Geary County is scheduled Monday.

The County Commission sitting as the Board of Canvassers will review the votes on Monday morning, and are scheduled to finalize the canvass results at 11:30 a.m.

Two local races of interest included Keith Ascher’s win over John Moyer in the Third District County Commission Republican primary race, and Dave Baker’s victory in the 68th House District Republican primary election. The canvass of the votes Monday might change final vote totals, but it is not expected to change the overall outcome of either of those elections.

The Great Plains Theatre production of Pump Boys and Dinettes opened Friday night and runs through Aug. 14 at the theatre in Abilene.

This is described as a countrified musical with entertaining toe-tappin tunes. They’ll have the guitar and bass fiddle out a place that is a filling station and dinette on Highway 57 in Georgia.

You can order tickets by telephone or online at the Great Plains Theatre.

MANHATTAN – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are investigating seven suspects on drug and other charges.

Officers with the Riley County Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit with the assistance of the Junction City, Geary County Drug Task Force made seven arrests following 5 search warrants in Manhattan which were executed on Wednesday.

This investigation was the culmination of 6 weeks of work.

Arrested on the offense of distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school was Tyrone Goodridge, 34, Manhattan. He was given a bond of $77,000.00.

Police arrested Julious Goodridge, 55, of Manhattan in the 2000 block of Claflin on the offense of distribution of methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school. He was given a bond of $80,000.00.

Larry Jones, 45, of Manhattan was arrested in the 3000 block of Sunnyside Drive and given a bond of $25,000.00. He was arrested on the offense of distribution of methamphetamine.

Ann Engert, 33, of Manhattan was arrested on the offense of possession of a controlled substance while in the 3000 block of Sunnyside. She was given a bond of $3,000.00.

David Maldonado Jr., 41, of Manhattan was given a bond of $35,000.00 after being arrested on the offense of distribution of methamphetamine.

Officers arrested Ramiro Escamilla, 33, of Manhattan while in the 1100 block of Ratone Street. Escamilla was arrested on the offense of distribution of methamphetamine and given a bond of $40,000.00.

Colton Magnuson, 25, St. George, Kansas was arrested on warrants for the offense of parole violation, probation violation for 2 warrants from Pottawatomie County and a Geary County warrant for failure to appear for a traffic related violation.

Kimberly Brazzle, 28, of St. George, Kansas was arrested on a warrant for the offense of probation violation which originated in Pottawatomie County.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — More than 20 percent of Kansas’ school districts, including some of the larger districts will have new superintendents this fall.

Dale Dennis, deputy education commissioner of Kansas, said 61 Kansas school districts, including Hays, Topeka, Olathe, Lawrence and Manhattan, have new leaders this year. Some veteran superintendents in rural districts are also going elsewhere.

The departures follow at least two straight years of record-breaking turnover, which Dennis and others said has taken a toll on districts and the state.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the average tenure for a superintendent in Kansas is about five years.

The Kansas Association of School Superintendents recently stepped up its efforts to mentor superintendents, pairing veteran or retired leaders with new ones and hosting a monthly “Phone a Friend” video conference to share strategies.

The hunt for a new Economic Development Director in Junction City is still ongoing.

Dennis Beson, Chamber of Commerce CEO, said that this position encompasses so many “jobs” that it’s important to take time in making a selection.

“The reality of it is that this is a very crucial position, and we need to make sure that we’re all on the same page. This is not my sole responsibility, I’ve got a search committee of about 8 people, between board members and city and county officials; it’s

a publicly funded position by the city and county and it’s administered by the Chamber of Commerce,” said Beson.

Beson said they have identified a few good candidates that they are still working on interviewing and making decisions.

“We’re in the interview process and we’re trying to find out a ‘good fit’ to make sure that we have someone that has the same vision that we do, which is helping develop Junction City area with good quality jobs,” said Beson. Beson added that they want to find someone that can assist their current businesses with retention and “bringing programs that are going to benefit people that we already have here.”

Many people don’t understand the many “hats” that an Economic Development Director may wear and Beson said it’s important to find someone who can not only wear them all, but can effectively work toward their common goals.

“I think there’s a perception out there that the main job is to bring great restaurants and great retail – and certainly, we know that we’re always going to answer the phone call and encourage various retail and restaurants to come here; but, a true economic development director is responsible for recruiting and prospecting from businesses from out of the area. Usually the idea is that you’re aiming for jobs that are higher salary and maybe even higher hourly wage,” said Beson.

Beson added that one of their other jobs is also to work with current businesses and help them with expansion projects and retention, for example.

Beson said that he and the selection committee members  would like someone that is also involved in the community and attending community events.

The next Business Expo hosted by the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce will be on Thursday, August 18th.

“This is open to the public, we are encouraging  the public to come,” said Chamber of Commerce CEO Dennis Beson.

Beson says the event will be held in Heritage Park, barring no rain and that there is the potential for up to 75 businesses to be present.

“For those people out there that think we don’t have a lot of things in Junction City, – ‘Where do I buy things? Where do I get things’ – well, we’re going to have 50 to 75 businesses on display in Heritage Park,” said Beson.

The event is free, and open to the public on Thursday, August 18th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Back to school is the early August theme; and Saint Xavier Catholic School is preparing it’s doors.

With a new gym floor and new computers for the students, Shawn Augustine, Saint Xavier principal says that he’s excited for the students to return.

“What we want to do as a school is obviously continue to build and improve; and I think the biggest thing is technology is one and obviously you always want to continue to update your curriculum and just have the very best for your students,” said Augustine.

Enrollment numbers at the private school are down, but Augustine says it’s still early.

“But the main thing is with our school right now with enrollment is trying to increase – I think our numbers may be down just a bit this year, but it just depends. Living in this area, a lot of it you rely on Fort Riley, and it seems like this year we had a lot of big families with 5 or 6 students that left…and so, we’re down a bit – to me, it’s still early,” said Augustine.

At the Pre-K level, Augustine said they were down about 10 students and at the kindergarten through 12th grade level they’re down about 30 students.

Augustine encourages parents to visit Saint Xavier’s  Catholic School and it is not too late to enroll.

You can complete registration in person from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm; or complete an online registration packet at saintxrams.org.

Questions? Call 785-238-2841.

The Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene will be the site of a Presidential Trivia Event on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Visitors Center Auditorium. Teams of eight adults and / or youth will compete by answering questions in various categories about U.S. Presidents. Spectators are welcome to attend this free event.

Macey Hensley, a six-year-old from Council Grove, will be the special guest emcee. Macey has been studying presidential trivia since she was two years old. She has appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show several times, and has appeared in commercials promoting Kansas tourism, including the Eisenhower Presidential Library.

Teams are requested to register in advance by Aug. 16. To register contact Pam Sanfilippo, education specialist at 785-263-6700 or pam.sanfilippo@nara.gov.