The Geary County Historical Society Personnel Committee selected Katie Goerl as their new Executive Director.

Goerl, from Great Bend, Kansas, is completing her Master’s degree in History and a graduate certificate in Public Administration at Kansas State University.

Goerl has a Bachelor of Arts defree in Women’s Studies from K-State.

Previoulsy working as a Digital Humanitie Graduate Assistant with the Chapman Center for Rural Studies at K-State, and as a Graduate Editorial Assistant, Goerl brings a solid background of knowledge to the position.

Goerl begins duties at the Geary County Historical Society on July 12th.

FORT RILEY- Fort Riley officials are requesting help to locate a missing soldier.

The 1st Infantry Division reported Spc. Oscar Delgado, 26, was last in contact with his unit on June 24.

He drives a black 2012 Ford Mustang and it has not been seen.

Delgado is a fire control repairer with Company B, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

At this time, Delgado is only being sought to ensure his welfare.
Those with information regarding Delgado are asked to call his unit at (785) 239-4272 or the Fort Riley Military Police Desk at (785) 239-6767.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies arrested James Pasley, Marietta, Georgia on I-70 mile marker 298 on suspicion of Posession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Drug Tax Stamp and Unsafe Lane Change.

The arrest occurred just before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The location of the arrest was on the southeast side of Junction City.

Three Vietnam veterans will be awarded Quilts of Valor on Monday prior to the noon Veterans ceremony in Heritage Park.

The ceremony is part of Sundown Salute activities.

Quilt of Valor coordinator Donna Martinson confirmed the three Vietnam veterans will receive the Quilts of Valor, which are designed to help service members touched by war with comforting and healing.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Department has reported that Deputies arrived on the scene of a non-injury accident just before five a.m. Wednesday at Milford Lake. The accident occurred at the Milford State Park boat ramp.

Zachary McDaniel, Junction City, was attempting to remove his boat from his trailer, when his Ford F-250 rolled down the ramp into the lake.

Geary USD 475 teachers have ratified the 2016-17 teaching contract for the school district.

The ratification was announced on Wednesday by the Executive Director of Communication for USD 475 Hugh Davis. The next step is for the proposed agreement to go to the school  board on Tuesday for a final ratification vote.

A small fire broke out in the La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in Junction City Wednesday evening.

The Junction City Fire Department, EMS, and Junction City Police Department responded to the scene.

Battalion Chied Bill Kausler said it wasn’t a bad situation.

“We got a call for a possible structure fire arching electrical inside the structure with smoke in the structure,” Kausler said.

Kausler said the evacuation process hadn’t began when they arrived on scene.

“We had the police department assist us with evacuating the structure because of the smoke that was in it,” said Kausler.

The orderly evacuation process took about 3 to 5 minutes and shortly thereafter patrons were able to return to their seats inside the restaurant to enjoy the rest of their evening.

“It was about a 10 minute process,” began Kausler on the time patrons were evacuated before returning inside. “We wanted to isolate the problem, electrically wise and we were able to do that; also [the] management was able to get ahold of their electrician.”

Kausler said that La Fiesta’s electrician was in route when he spoke to JC Post sometime after 8:00 pm Wednesday evening.

“This is something that happens probably with age of the electricity in that area, or electrical issues – it’s pretty normal,” said Kausler.

There were no injuries reported, although the fire was in the main area of the restaurant.

Damage estimates are at approximately $150.

The small fire inconvenienced some for a few minutes, but diners were able to return to their meals and La Fiesta did not have to close it’s doors Wednesday evening.

Vendors have begun set-up for the largest Independence Day festival in the state of Kansas – Sundown Salute.

Bonnie Brevieska, owner of Brevieska Concessions and the stand Jessie’s Funnel Cakes says that she loves Junction City.

“I love this festival, it’s got a nice hometown feel to it; as far as the festivals and events I go to – it’s in the top, I really like

it,” said Brevieska.

Although the name may suggest that Jessie’s Funnel Cakes is a one-dimensional vendor, Brevieska says they also have funnel cakes, bacon corn dogs, corn dogs, and peanut butter and jelly – just to name a few.

Brevieska hopes her treats are a hit this weekend.

“It depends on the weather and the crowds, but I plan for a lot and hopefully I will sell out,” said Brevieska.

Jason Arnie, owner of JDA Company and the stand Fried Chicken on a Stick says this is his twelfth year working as a vendor for Sundown Salute.

“I love the people – the people of Junction City have always been really good to us and they’re the reasons we keep coming back,” said Arnie.

Arnie is optimistic about the weekend but notes that when “the fourth falls on a Monday it kind of gets everything discombobulated.”

“There are a lot of factors that come in to play [with projected sales]…but we’re expecting a great year,” said Arnie.

The Ottaway Carnival for Sundown Salute opens Thursday  at 6:00 pm.