With the close of the 2015-2016 school year, Apostolic Academy completes its 26^th year of operation.

Kindergarten graduation and a student awards assembly marked the completion of another school year for Apostolic Academy.

The program, held May 26^th, capped a week of activity including historical presentations and reenactments, field day, and a High School graduation and reception honoring graduate Terrence McNutt with Pastor Tony Moody of Cabot Arkansas as the Commencement speaker.

The school and Riddle Hall were recently renamed the Westberg Christian Life and Education Complex in honor of the late Pastor L.E. Westberg and his wife Darlyene who founded the school in 1990.

Apostolic Academy adopted a Bulldog mascot in honor of a popular sermon widely known across the apostolic movement preached by Westberg entitled “Bulldog Faith” wherein he enthusiastically conveys the fierce tenacity of a childhood pet named Penny.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 2 a.m. Friday.

It includes Geary, Dickinson, Clay, Morris, Ottawa, Wabaunsee and Lyon Counties.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, visited Dickinson County and the Abilene area today, assessing the damage caused by a tornado that touched down north of Abilene. Brownback and Tafanelli took an aerial tour of the tornado damage.  While on the ground in Abilene, Brownback and Tafanelli were given an update from county emergency management and Incident Management Team officials.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by Wednesday night’s tornadoes,” said Brownback. “The local and statewide teams that are on site have done great work helping initial recovery efforts. With additional rounds of dangerous weather expected, I encourage everyone to remain aware of weather conditions and take action to be safe.”

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management staff in the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka continues to monitor storm activities across Kansas.  Additional storms are predicted to move across Kansas starting during the afternoon/evening hours of Thursday,

CHAPMAN, Kan. (AP) – The National Weather Service says a tornado that damaged or destroyed about 20 homes near the northeast Kansas town of Chapman was an EF4 with estimated peak winds of 180 mph.

Weather service surveyors determined the tornado started at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday and stayed on the ground for 26 miles before ending around 8:40 p.m. Kansas officials said Thursday numerous power lines and a set of railroad tracks were damaged in the storm.

The twister passed just south of Chapman, a community of 1,400 that in 2008 lost more than 60 homes and had several school buildings and churches damaged by a similar-sized tornado that cut through the heart of the town.

The weather service says Wednesday’s tornado was a half-mile wide and completely destroyed a farmstead near Chapman.

Earlier Thursday the weather service had rated the tornado as an EF3.

RILEY COUNTY – One person was injured in an accident just before 1:30p.m. on Thursday in Dickinson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Mitsubishi passenger car driven by Shannon M. Timm, 41, Phoenix, AZ., was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of Tallgrass Road.

The vehicle hydroplaned on the wet surface and sideswiped a semi.

Timm was transported to the hospital in Manhattan.

The semi driver Bradley C. Pooler, 50, Delphos, was not injured.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Visit Topeka is presenting the Second annual Capital City Family and Food Truck Festival at Gage Park from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, June 11th.

The June 11th festival will feature more trucks than last year, as well as games, vendors and live music.  There will be nearly 35 different food trucks lined up end to end.

There will also be activities underway at the Topeka Zoo and Kansas Children’s Discovery Center including – Laser Trooper Mobile Laser Tag, bounce houses, magicians and variety acts.

Live music will be provided by AJ Young Band, Blazing Mojo and Flashback:  Classic Rock Trio.

Admission to Gage Park is free, and there will be a shuttle service from Hayden High School and Hummer Sports Park by the Topeka Metro in order to simplify parking issues.

The public is invited to celebrate the Juneteenth Celebration with a wildflower walk on the tall grass prairie.

This landmark of freedom event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 4th at 7:30 pm at Bird Runner Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located at 11003 Lower McDowell Rd. south of Interstate 70 off exit 307.

Visitors are encouraged to follow the gravel drive across the bridge and up to the Guest House and park along the drive.

Sturdy shoes and insect repellent are strongly advised.

Admission is free but reservations are requested by calling 785-539-5992 or by emailing margystewart785@gmail.com

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY – A tornado caused damage in Wamego, shortly after 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

Many large trees were uprooted and a few homes severely damaged. There are additional reports of damage in St. George and Louisville.

There are no reports of any serious injuries as of 3:30 p.m.

The full extend of the damage is unknown at this time.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, the adjutant general and director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, visited Dickinson County and the Abilene area today, assessing the damage caused by a tornado that touched down north of Abilene. Brownback and Tafanelli took an aerial tour of the tornado damage.  While on the ground in Abilene, Brownback and Tafanelli were given an update from county emergency management and Incident Management Team officials.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by Wednesday night’s tornadoes,” said Brownback. “The local and statewide teams that are on site have done great work helping initial recovery efforts. With additional rounds of dangerous weather expected, I encourage everyone to remain aware of weather conditions and take action to be safe.”

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management staff in the State Emergency Operations Center in Topeka continues to monitor storm activities across Kansas.  Additional storms are predicted to move across Kansas starting during the afternoon/evening hours of Thursday,

May 27 into Saturday, May 29.